Lorelle: On kilts, larvae, and flame throwers

7 11 06

These first few days in South Africa have been spent preparing for the trip. We bought a “flame thrower” (kerosene stove) to cook on while we're camping and found the “paraffin” to fuel it. We needed an electrical adapter to change the 220 plugs (of Uganda) into the three pronged triangular plugs of SA. We went to a mall to purchase other things and what struck me was how similar the mall was to one that might be in Seattle, New York, Paris etc. Yes, there are a few minor differences, but in many ways it seems that 'rich' looks the same everywhere. When people, countries, cultures gain wealth in this era, they seem to loose their cultural distinctivenss and end up looking western and modern. In the village, you know you are in South Africa. In the mall, you could be anywhere in the world and it would look similar.

We've been doing a lot of errands and making So Many phone calls. First, we make phone calls just to find the phone numbers we need to call. How will we get the vehicle across the border? What form do we need? We call the customs office who tell us to call the tax office who tell us to call this other number and eventually we learn that we need the C1AA form to fill out – only they tell us that we should have an agent to fill it out for us because if we make a mistake we'll be charged a fee at the border, etc. etc. We probably made 50 calls trying to find a canopy for the Land Rover – it's not a common vehicle and we are now convinced that a canopy for a Double Cabin Land Rover 130 does not exist in Johannesburg. We found another kind of cover for the bed of the truck (called an Armadillo) that we hope to get installed once we finally have the vehicle in our possession. Africa is like that – things take time – patience and a sense of humor are essential qualities.

I'm realizing that camping is going to be very cold. Sun up at 6am and down by 6 pm. During the day it can be warm – sun makes it feel great in short sleeves, but after 6 pm, it goes down to the 40s and since the houses aren't heated, we layer on our clothes and huddle together on the heated rug in the family room. We're blessed with a wonderful place to stay here in Jo-burg. Some members of the church that Wendell's (CVM) son is pastor of have graciously allowed us to stay in their home - even while they are on vacation in Durban. It is safe and comfortable, has electricity and hot water – it is such a great gift to get to stay here while we prepare for the trip.

Interesting vocab – this is a tiny samplying of quite a lot of different words in use here
stoplight = 'set of robots'
old rundown vehicle = 'churio'
back of a pick-up or pick-up itself - 'bakkie'

7/12/06

Today – we were hoping to load the truck tonight – but now we are just hoping to get it by tomorrow . . . Africa. [Now it is tomorrow that I’m sending this out – Thursday – it’s difficult to get the vehicle registered now so we will still be in Jo-burg on Friday as well == yep – Africa] That will put us just 2 days behind schedule – wonder what reality will be? On the other hand, I am so thankful for the kind people who have provided this safe and comfortable house while we are still in Jo-burg.

We got to go to the Lesidi Village today – “Lesidi, place of light” – from the Basotho tribe – “King Moshoeshoe, during the great wars, gave refuge to scatterlings in his mountin fortress, in so doing he created the Basotho nation. Ever fearful of attack, he was grateful every sunrise, which he would greet with the words, 'Ke Bona Lesedi' . . . 'I thank the light' and so this place is called, Lesedi, place of light.”

It was fun to see the four different villages – I don't really like being a tourist – would so much rather be a guest and feel the reality of the people, but that's not an option here – we don't have the time to develop relationships and so to know the people and be invited into their homes. So I don't prefer to be a tourist, but in this case, I have no other option of seeing these people and their way of life. In any case learned some interesting things today.

Bride prices -- # of cows paid to the brides family by grooms family
Zulu = 11 cows for regular brides, 26 cows for daughters in the royal family and Zulu man estimated, since I was special, 27 cows for me
Xhosa = 13 cows
Pedi = 13 cows

Good, though sad, story about the Pedi. In the wars against the British, the British made an alliance with the Scottish and had the Scottish march at the front of the battle. The Brits followed behind with their long bows and guns. When the Pedi leader saw the Scottish marching toward them, he saw the Scottish kilts and thought that it was an army of women. He would not fight an army of women (a noble gesture in a way) so the Pedi were soundly defeated. The men in the clan wear kilts to this day as a rememberance of this “trickery.”

We tasted dried larvae (big black ones – inch or more long) at the Pedi village – consensus was that the larvae were a bit oily, almost tangy, a bit of sweet, an interesting flavor, rather strong. One member of group had larvae parts attractively stuck in front teeth for quite some time . . . :->

The Zulu are a warrior tribe – their dance is terrific – especially the the war dance which is extremely energetic – both men and women kick their legs up above their heads, then stamp the floor, the LOUD drums are pulsing. The whole place is filled with energy.

That's all for tonight. Thank you so much for your continued prayers. God has answered many prayers already.