A touch of Ethiopian and some cello

Met up with my friend Kim yesterday at a new Ethiopian restaurant on Lanark Road in Avondale and we shared a vegetarian platter with the Ethiopian naan bread with a beef dish. Very tasty and not too pricey. Was nice to catch up with Kim and hear about her travels around Europe.

Today the Austrian cellist Erich Huetter gave a workshop for the elementary students at the Harare International School. He played a couple of pieces by Bach and some more modern composers and described how music can be a language to the students. He will be performing at Arundel School chapel on Sunday at 3 and then at the Saint Johns College carol service on Sunday 29th.

May have another art student as meeting with a friend's daughter on Monday. Going to drop some business cards to the Chinese Embassy to try recruit more English students. Still could do with being busier and a bit more stimulated.

Lauren St John and The Born Free Foundation

Started today by having coffee at Veldemeers Cafe in Arundel soaking up the lovely cool air after the rain last night. Browsed through the Out of Africa magazine and saw a friend Tammy Maidwell's article in it. Then wandered round the nursery garden at Arundel eying their dahlias and carnations.

Went for a talk by the Zimbabwe born author Lauren St John at the International School and it really was inspiring. She has written numerous children's books on conservation and even human trafficking and has worked with The Born Free Foundation, helping release circus and zoo animals back into the wild in Africa and other places. Some zoo animals have their claws and teeth removed and she spoke of how Ocean World dolphins are often on drugs to stop them being aggressive. For more see her website here. She has even written a book based on a visit to Imire on black rhinos.

Am a bit between things at the moment. Looking for more students to make me earn a decent income and keep busy. Didn't get the job at Arundel but waiting on a few other things. After my jam packed schedule in the UK I do feel at a bit of a loose end coming back and need to find a solution to survive financially.

The rains

And at last the heavens open and the first big fat weltering drops of rain fall.
The earth rejoices and my heart is glad.
It quenches the dry earth and brings relief from the staggering heat.
The rich muddy, earthy smell emanates and fills the air and I breath in deep.
Oh rain much needed and longed for,
will you stay a while and fill our land?
Replenish our ground water and make rivers run once more?
Or is this just a fleeting storm and we return to drought?

Heat

The rains should have come
but there is not a cloud in sight.
Heat drains you, it zaps you of life.
El Nino is here it seems and the crops wilt.
Dry earth, hot sun, unadulterated heat.
The air time man does his dance by Groombridge.
If only it were a rain dance and the clouds would appear.
Hope of rain but water is scarce.
Something to beat this unquenchable thirst.

Back to the land of heat

Well I touched down at Harare Airport a week ago today and was welcomed by a wall of hot air as I stepped off the plane. It has been really hot and no sign of rain yet unfortunately with clear blue skies.  Taught on Monday afternoon but have lost a few of my students so I need to try gain a few more. Am also following up on a few job options.

Helping with the Convent Old Girl's lunch this Saturday at Alo Alo. Also offered to help with a friend's baby shower in a few weeks time. Need to keep busier though.

We went for a meal for Harare Restaurant Week at the Spice Lounge. It was the same day as Diwali celebrations. We ordered an assortment of curries and masalas and shared them.

The flamboyants are all out and the avenues in Milton Park are a sight to behold. Is a different colour to the reds of autumn in the north. Am actually missing the rain and cooler temperatures of England.