December 26, 2011
Today I leave south Africa. It’s bittersweet for me. I miss my life in the USA, but I’m leaving my family here. I had a blast. I have pics and videos to show, but above is an example of the places I’ve been to visit my family.
December 19, 2011
We Made it to cape town, where we grew up.
December 15, 2011
My grandpa insists on telling me every chance he gets how they didn’t have these things in his days. His favorite phrase is “I never dreamt these things in my day. Never.” I tried to show him how to use the iPad, but when he swiped he swiped from end to end even onto the screens bezel-)
It seems to me that it is the place of the younger generation to show their elders the new technological advances of today. As if to say, this is what you will miss out on. So I showed my grandpa the iPad bible app. But then it occurred to me that he showed me a bible he had since 1973. It had my name listed in the family register within. I realized that this iPad app could never be given in such a meaningful way, like the bible was. What experiences are we condemning in our future?
December 14, 2011
1982
Look closely and note the date on the bottom left. 1982. Long time ago. That is a testament to how my grandparents preserve things and keep them for a long time. This book isn’t in a bookshelf, it’s on the coffee table. When you work hard for things, you work hard to maintain and keep them.
They are meticulous, and very particular about how things are done. Most of the time I do them wrong of course, because my instincts are different. But then again, I’m not in the know like they are. Memories in this house. 1982.
December 11, 2011
Kliptown.
I’m not going to write much today other than to mention some key points. I have a new appreciation after spending some time with well behaved and very cute South African children. Well behaved and so respectful.
Also, I went to kliptown to visit my Aunty. I’ve been capturing audio and video of my visits, mostly candid to preserve the genuine effect. Kliptown is poor as can be. Yet my Aunty continues on. Im surprised sometimes at how Indian my relatives look, this was a good reminder.
After leaving kliptown i went back to my grandparents house. It was like a reunion. This much family hadn’t been in that house altogether since 1994. You wouldn’t think it would feel overwhelming.
I drove home with the soon to be bride after changing a tire and driving through the township, more than a little scary. Plus the headlights are terrible. Made it safely however.
I’ve setup arrangements for my siblings and parents arrival tomorrow. Once they get here, the puzzle is complete.
VW Microbus
It’s Saturday here in South Africa and its the first overcast day we have had. It rained like crazy yesterday, but apparently the earth needed it as it has been incredibly dry lately. I spent the day driving my grandma and my uncle around to this and that place, and we accomplished a great deal. They typically walk to the grocery store but they can’t buy much due to a low payload threshold. Even a 2 liter becomes hard to carry after several blocks so little is bought on each trip, resulting in many trips back and forth. Since I had access to a car , but more importantly I was able to drive, I took them there and back. The key when driving here is to watch out for potholes as roads in what is referred to as the township are not maintained by any means. When the road floods as it did today, it’s up to you to guess where the potholes are. Unfortunately when you find them, you know.
That evening I spent with my cousins Crystal and Rionette, and the newest member of our family by marriage Rashad, who is now married to Crystal, legally at least. The wedding itself is a week from today.
We went to Ocean Basket where I had some of the best seafood I’ve had in a long time. It’s possible that it may not have been that good, but I hadn’t had anything like that in a long time! We chatted about many things, religion, their future together, memories from our childhood, the time passed by smooth as silk. We made our way home and I saw the cutest and cleanest VW Microbus on the way out. I wanted it so badly. I could see me and my family sailing up and down the mountains in Cape Town. It’s a disservice to that Volksie to be kept here in johannesburg!
December 10, 2011
Traditional forms of transport are still used today. Here is a horse and cart being used to go into town.
