5 July
Today I worked on building a kitchen. Michael and I took the All Out Africa van to the site rather than public transportation, because we needed to bring some posts and wheelbarrows to the site.
This was the first day I worked with other volunteers, and lots of them. A group called World Challenge was working on building, so I worked with them. They were students from a boarding school in Scotland, and they had camped out at the site. Michael and I left the site before they were finished. We left around 15:00. By that time, posts were already in the ground and the shape of the building could be clearly seen. We hitched a ride in the back of a pickup and headed for Lobamba. Michael taught me that “Saoboma” is hello in siSwati, so I will begin using it as much as possible. Although the building progressed very quickly, Michael said it was harder for him to work with so many people.
We transferred onto a Kombie, and as we got off it was pulled over by the police. Michael said we need to cross in the zebra crossing when the police are there or we could be arrested. I don’t want to be arrested for J-walking. It’s possible that he meant to say fined rather than arrested, but I can’t be sure. I J-walk all the time at home, so I will need to be more careful about it here.I have the day off tomorrow and the day after. On Sunday two other builders will return from Kruger and begin working with me. When I got back from work today, there was a huge crowd of local people at the lodge. I believe it was an event to celebrate the Americans finishing their school project, but I’m not sure. My roommates and I slept for the vast majority of it.
Have a good weekend everyone! Thanks for reading my blog!
6 July
Today I went on a very long hike with two of my roommates; Jacqueline from Australia and Helene from Germany. We went to Executioner’s Rock, where in the old days those sentenced to death would have the choice of being executed or jumping off the side. We took a taxi to Milwane Wildlife Sanctuary and hiked from there. The trail was very beautiful. Africa’s red soil contrasted very nicely with the deep green coniferous trees. Beautiful streams flowed throughout. Unfortunately, I brought only three cans of soda to drink, so for the entire way up I was very thirsty. After about two hours of ladders and trails, we made it to the peak. The view from the top was absolutely breathtaking, and it felt like I could see all of Swaziland from the mountain. By the end of the hike, my legs finally caught up to my arms and back for tiredness.
7 July
I actually have nothing to post about today. I had a well-earned day of relaxation and laundry. There was no room on the clothes line to dry, so I climbed on the roof and dried my clothes there. The internet still isn’t working, so I’m sorry this post will be delayed. The other volunteers came back from Kruger in the evening.
8 July
Today I built with some other people from World Challenge. They were from England.We were working in Ekuguzugeni where the toilet is being built, and we worked on it more. I helped build bricks for the first time. A lot of the English girls were obsessing over making the tops of the bricks smooth, but when they went on their lunch break a cat and a chicken walked over them. I think they look cooler with the footprints. Charlotte and Eleanor are the other builders this month, but they will only be here for a week. They just arrived yesterday from Kruger. All the rest of the day was normal. I finished work around 3:00 PM and relaxed at the lodge. The internet finally came back today, so I should be posting somewhat regularly unless it goes again.
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