Swaziland

I recently visited Swaziland for the first time - taking the long route (Dullstroom, long Tom pass and Nelspruit) and eventually entering the country via an accidental 4x4 road - mixing the beautiful views with the smell of Wim's Polo's complaining clutchplate. We camped at the backpackers at Mlwane Nature reserve, cussioned from the elements by an enormous inflatable matress that I secretly found quite embarresing. Apart from odd glances at the two of us carrying it to the tent from the car (it inflates - very loudly - at the cigarette lighter), it is a friendly and peaceful place. I find myself struggling to reconcile images of smiling vendors and waving children with the poster that catches my eye at the border post: 42 % HIV positive rate. Wear a condom. Anyway, I really recommend it (visiting Swaziland, that is). Check out one or two highlights:

House on Fire:
http://www.houseonfire.com/

Gone Rural, Swazi weaving initiative.

http://www.goneruralswazi.com/index.html

Doen dit in Langebaan

Dis Sondag middag, 18 Maart. Ek is in die Kaap vir Wim se boetie, Henk se troue, en Saterdag aand het ons almal effe broos gelaat. Dit is dus met dankbaarheid dat ons onder die skadunet van die buitelug boma in in koes. Dis warm. Die Kaap se blou lug is wolkloos. My keel voel soos die trossies bokkoms wat hier en daar tussen nette hang en my maag is leeg want kyk – ek is gewaarsku dat Die strandlopertjie ‘n 10 gang maaltyd bedien, en dat mens immers nie waardevolle kreef-mossel-snoek-patat plek op ontbyt muesli mors nie. ‘n Dame wys ons na ‘n rowwe sement tafel en ‘n paar plank bankies ‘n klipgooi van die silwer see af. “Doen dit op die strand in Langebaan”, staan op haar t-hemp. En dan doen ons dit: en dit begin met mossels. Die lug ruik na hout vuur, knoffel en brood. ‘n stewige dame skep mildelike porsie terwyl mense halfhartig protesteer. Ek drentel by die brood tafel verby oppad terug en gaan myself te buite aan druifkonfyt. En van daar af skakel die middag baie skielik af na tweede rat. ‘n Musikant tokkel Dawid Kramer liedjies uit sy kithaar in ‘n swaar Kaapse aksent en ek verloor myself in die mooi name van Kaapse vis – snoek, hotnots, engel. Daar is waterblommetjie bredie. Daar is rooserkoek. Daar is soet patats. Daar is aartappels. En daar is altyd nog ‘n skaapwagtersny warm koolstoof brood en jam om in mildelike lae daarop te pleister. Die saga sluit homself af met kreef en boeretroos uit blik bekers. Ek gaan staan bewoee met my voete in die yskoue weskus see. Die sondag nostalgie le vlak in my keel en die son blink op die water soos Amanda Strydom se silwer somer. En ek is vol dankbaarheid: dat die see sy skatte met ons deel; vir die hand in myne langs die blou water; vir my kaalvoet land en sy mense; vir die brandhoud van hierdie helder dag wat my nog lank deur winter nagte sal warm hou en, veral, vir Mango vliegtuigkaartjies na die mooie Kaap...

So, apparently you're just not cool anymore if you don't have a blog, so here i am in hyperspace (it bloggels the mind). After spending some months working on a ship I now have a good solid job working in the Office on the Status of Disabled Persons in the Presidency. I am also doing my Philosophy honors (well, I haven't actually done much, but I intend to start tomorrow...). So, for all those crazy babeloos from the Fascination who still remember me, and all my good friends from home, at home, and all over the world (I know you've all just being laying awake wondering what I am up to) -

welcome to my blog.