White rage that flares and ignites.
It simmers then swells and goes out of control.
Blindly you hit out, lashing at those near you.
It crescendoes and the words tumble
before your world crumbles
and you feel like shit.
The anger turns inwards,
you detest your inner being
and the words of others reverberate
echoing, clawing.
You smash things, but still it gnaws
You cut with the shards.
This cycle, so familiar
leaves you bleeding
inside and out.
The days between getting back from Cape Town and the lead up to Christmas have passed in a bit of a blur. Tomorrow I hand back where I have been house sitting. I have grown rather attached to the two dachshunds Lexi and Deeka and was relieved when the kitty in the cottage re-appeared. I had my last three lessons for the year with my Chinese five year old and have since had a welcome break. Am not sure yet when lessons resume. On Saturday we had a braai and the heavens opened as we laid things out outside. An amazing number of people were able to fit under the pool house roof and the braai masters managed to pull it off.
I had a bit of a down on Christmas Eve but Christmas Day was enjoyable. My Chinese student's family had tried to phone me at 7 am, I think to wish me happy Christmas but left a voice message in the end which was very sweet. (I wasn't awake at 7 am). In true family tradition, lunch was served at around 4 pm but was worth the wait. My sister made an amazing chocolate raspberry torte for pudding. Friends came round in the evening and we played one of the board games that had been given as presents - Dixit. (I was given the famous Munchkin as the other).
Finally watched the film Victoria and Abdul yesterday. My cousin helped sew some of the costumes in it. Today we watched the episode on Florence from the series Italy's Invisible Cities. It brought back memories from the month I spent in Italy, being based in Florence or Firenze and climbing up the inside of the Duomo. After watching it I'd love to go back again.
I have my first post-Christmas personal training tomorrow. My trainer is well aware of my injury and said we can do rehab exercises for my ankle. It is less swollen but if I move it in certain directions it still is a bit painful. My sister and brother-in-law went up Domboshawa today with friends. They really should go to Ngomakurira but I don't know that I can do it just yet.
The last day in Cape Town flew by. Went for a drive along the coast from Hout Bay to Camps Bay with my cousins and sister and brother-in-law. We had ice creams from Addictions (previously Sinnfull) and had them on top of the windy car park roof. From there we went back, stopping at the look out by Pietro Ferrero's, the Ferrero Rocher's heir's, memorial overlooking Llandudno. Risking the wind we popped down to Llandudno Beach for old times' sake as it is our family's favourite spot and we have many memories from there. It actually wasn't windy down there. We then had a family dinner at Massimo's.
It took pretty much the whole of Tuesday to reach home. I had asked my sister to book flights that left sufficient time but we had about 2 hours extra to play with. Once again we were on the teeny tiny Fastjet plane back to Harare and we touched down just after 6 pm. We mistakenly took the route through Mbare on the way home. Big mistake! The traffic lights were working but the police were doing a very bad job of directing traffic at Coke Corner. It turned into gridlock and mini bus taxis were trying to force their way through. We sat there feeling hemmed in on every side by big lorries. Eventually we saw a gap and managed to extricate ourselves. Could otherwise have seen ourselves sitting there all night.
I am back to house sitting the dachshunds with my friend Bronwyn. I forgot that the dogs like chocolate and stupidly left my suitcase open. To my horror I came back to a trail of paper which was all that was left of several items of Lindt chocolate - they have expensive taste. They had not only opened my suitcase but dug around in it to find it. It doesn't seem to have had a negative effect on them luckily.
My brother-in-law has so far been introduced to the Maasdorp Market, Arundel Village, the International School and briefly Queen of Hearts. He said he has never felt like such a foreigner. He attributes it to the lack of other tourists and is finding Zim culture a bit of a shock. He is also reeling at the prices we pay for food here.
I started teaching my Chinese five year old again from yesterday. I was caught off guard by his questions. He wanted to know what is inside jellyfish that makes them jelly-like, why clown fish like Nemo don't get stung by sea anemones and then when I showed him pictures of South Africa, why Nelson Mandela didn't have a table in his cell.
The last few days have passed by super quickly but have been really good. On Thursday my sister, brother-in-law, aunt and I went on a day trip around the Cape peninsular. We started at Silvermine and then headed to Simon's Town and Boulders Beach (yay for jackass penguins) before going to Cape Point and ending with a drive through Kommetjie and along Chapman's Peak to Hout Bay and back to Constantia. The weather was perfect and we had great views.
On Friday we booked to go to Robben Island. I have been twice before but it is a good reminder of South Africa's recent past and our guide, a former political prisoner gave his own stories of his detention there. Had hoped to get to the new contemporary art gallery at the Waterfront but I needed to get shoes for the wedding and ran out of time. It was pretty busy with some people having just ended work for the year. My cousin Jaimie picked us up and we headed to the Hout Bay market in the old fishing warehouses. There was a great live band and a great selection of cuisine to choose from for dinner.
Yesterday I headed off to the very pretty region of Elgin, which is just over Sir Lowry's Pass in an apple growing area. A friend from Fuller/Smuts days kindly gave me a lift and we caught up on the drive. Dropped my stuff off at Inn on Highlands where I spent the night and got ready. We were picked up by a shuttle going between farms on Highlands Road and taken to the wedding venue at Auldearn Farm. A tractor with apple carts on the back took us up to the farm house and we were served organic cloudy apple juice (the best I've ever had), lavender biscuits and tea before descending down the slope to the spectacular setting for the ceremony. The couple specifically requested us not to take photos (although we were allowed to take of the garden and of each other as long as it wasn't the bridal party). I did find myself itching to take photos but restrained myself. The ceremony was very intimate and beautiful. Drinks were then served further up and amazing canapés. The reception was in an old apple barn which was very tastefully decorated and transformed. I think the speeches were the most entertaining I've ever heard and we then danced the night away. Well I lasted till 1.30 before deciding to hop on the shuttle back. Others went on all night and there were some amazing dance moves - two attempts at the Dirty Dancing lift.
Woke up feeling a teensy bit hungover this morning but there was a delicious brunch (raspberry fruit salad - yummy. Had a raspberry mojito at the Hout Bay market on Friday which was also really good). Was nice to chat to the other wedding people again. Last night I was with a lot of the Francophones which was fun. There were about 20 different nationalities represented which was awesome. Then headed back to Cape Town and met up with some more Smuts/Fuller people at Kirstenbosch. It feels like a time warp seeing them as it is and isn't a long time ago since UCT.
Now back at my aunt and uncle's and we're putting up their Christmas tree and eating mince pies. It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.
So the big climb happened yesterday up Table Mountain. It was a bit wet and cloudy, so not the best weather but climb we did. Well I got up the first set of stairs and was happy to turn back at that point but my brother-in-law wouldn't have it. I think he would make a good personal trainer - definitely pushed me harder than mine back home. So I carried on climbing. My friend getting married and two of her friends from Venezuela walked with us. Some parallels between Zim and Venezuela but I think I will stop complaining about Zim as Venezuela sounds crazier. I made it to the ladders at the top of Skeleton Gorge and then dug my heels in and waited there for the others. It had a beautiful mini waterfall and I noticed lots of sphagnum moss - should have collected some for the testate amoeba group in Neuchatel. Whilst sitting waiting I did have minor heart failure when I heard male voices approaching rapidly from down the mountain. People do get mugged on Table Mountain and I suddenly felt vulnerable. Luckily they were a bunch of school boys running up the mounting - yes running - mad!
Coming back down (I am much happier going down that up, although my legs are telling me it was heavy going today) I was doing well until I slipped on a foot bridge. I skidded down on my shin and seem to have botched my ankle - it's not broken but maybe strained. Bit of a cripple today. Hopefully will be able to potentially swing dance again tomorrow and dance at the wedding. Met with a friend from Fuller days at the Kirstenbosch tea room and then saw my old home group leader Rebecca and had a pancake dinner at my friend Jason's with another friend Dean who is a magician, who did some cool card tricks. It is good being back in Cape Town and I do miss my friends from here. It is nice being able to pick up again after about two years or longer.
Today I will be hobbling round Boulders Beach and Cape Point with family and my cousin will come round this evening. Time is beginning to fly. I head out to Elgin on Saturday for the wedding and then we fly to Zim on Tuesday.
Today was a good day. My uncle took us wine tasting and we went first to Eagle's Nest and then Groot Constantia. There were some good wines and my uncle shared some of his vast knowledge on wines and the wine making process. We had lunch at Groot Constantia and went round the museum which had all sorts of relics from the farm's history. Some interesting characters in history drank wine from there. We had a great view out across the vineyards to False Bay. I am a little bit sunburnt from sitting out under the oaks sipping wine.
My cousin Jaimie came round after we got back. She has been doing hippotherapy with handicapped children and finished a camp yesterday with children that are on the autism spectrum. She was describing how they use a volcano and colours to help children with autism express their emotions. Something like that would have been a good channel of communication for the student I had in the first term. We went off with Jaimie to Bree Street in town to the Youngblood Art Gallery where her Swing Tuesdays dance class happens. It is a really cool use of the gallery space and was loads of fun. I haven't danced like that in ages and by the end was pouring sweat but so was everyone else. There were quite a few guys doing the class and in the social at the end they kept asking me to dance and each had his own style of jazz cross Charleston with a bit of jive. I can see why Jaimie enjoys it so much.
OK I had better head for bed as am supposed to be climbing Table Mountain tomorrow.
Yesterday ended up being seriously windy. In Constantia it wasn't so bad but going round the mountain a very strong southeaster was in full force. My aunt kindly dropped Beth, Andrew and I off at Clifton 1 and we thought it would be sheltered down there but we got sandblasted. I think I still have sand in my ears and in my hair. We found a refuge between the rocks but lost a container of falafel to the wind. The wedding group opted to go further down the coast to Bakhoven but my friend Jamie generously came and fetched us from Clifton. We actually just arrived at Bakhoven when everyone there gave up on battling the wind and we all then headed to Mantra in Camps Bay. It was nice to meet some of the other wedding guests for Saturday and chat. Will join them again for the hike up Skeleton Gorge tomorrow. Jamie did say he can power up in half an hour - gulp.
The topic when we got home to my aunt's last night turned to mental illness. My brother in law commented that there was a film about someone who pretended they had one and they then developed it. I probably am being over sensitive again but it felt like it was directed at me and he was implying I make up being bipolar. It feels like he and my sister just don't want to acknowledge that it is a disease and sometimes I can't help being the way I am.
It is fun experiencing Africa through the eyes of someone who has never been here before. Yesterday morning at breakfast Andrew tried Pronutro and I sat there instructing how much milk to add to make it the right consistency. His prognosis was that it was neither terrible nor terrific and definitely a new one to him. Sitting looking out at the garden he suddenly asked what the strange birds on the lawn were - ah! hadedas or ibises, yes they do look a bit prehistoric. I spotted a batis by the bird feeder which was pretty.
Hadeda ibis
Batis
The weather has cooled a little which is nice. Beth, Andrew and I went for a late lunch at Kirstenbosch yesterday and then ambled to the tree canopy walk where we spotted an owl before heading down to the Matthew Mole and Majozi concert. Yet again I saw people at the concert that I knew from Church On Main. Cape Town is a small place in some ways. Through Andrew's eyes I was struck though that the demographics of the audience was very much predominantly white. The wedding group bailed on the concert as many of them were nursing serious hangovers from the bachelor party in Langebaan on Saturday. Meeting up with them tonight though on Ciffton beach.
Had to warn my sister yesterday to stop stirring at times as there are some things that can make me lose my temper very rapidly. I feel I need to try to explain to her the concept of bipolar rage - it is a very real thing and when I get to that point I can spiral out of control and say and do stuff I regret afterwards. Was trying to disengage yesterday over three things but warned her I didn't want to fall out whilst in Cape Town and ruin the holiday. My brother-in-law did agree with me on this one. Just wish my sister would realise when she is treading on dangerous ground, read the warning signs and back off from it instead of antagonising me further.
Had a great evening on Friday going for sushi in Observatory with friends from Smuts and Fuller days. Haven't been to Obs since varsity days and the last time I saw the one friend was in 2010. They both have PhDs now and are doing really well. I do at times feel like I've underachieved when I am with people from Smuts and Fuller. Hoping to meet up with them again before I leave.
Had the board meeting yesterday before going to the airport to fetch Beth and Andrew. I had to give a quick feedback on the situation in Zim and it's implications for the project. Other than the fact that we should have elections next year, I had to say it is pretty hard to say. Bond notes are still in effect and there is still a cash crisis.
It was very windy on the drive to the airport with my aunt. The southeaster was blowing round the mountain and buffeting the car. The plane from Joburg arrived on time despite this but it took a while for everyone to collect luggage. While we were waiting I spotted friends I knew from Zim who now live in Australia who were waiting for their parents who were on the same flight as Beth and Andrew. It was really nice to see them and catch up. When everyone came through and we headed out I then bumped into another friend from Fuller days and we will try meet up next week. Small world.
On the drive back to Constantia I switched into French tour guide mode for Andrew - well not in French. Pointed out UCT and where I was in residence and then Kirstenbosch where we're going today and other places. Andrew was very taken with my aunt and uncle's garden when we got back as you just don't really get gardens that size in normal houses in the UK. Think he and Beth are pretty exhausted - they haven't woken up yet today. When they get up we'll try plan what we're going to do this week properly. It's quite fun having someone who has never been here before to explore with, although he is a bit nervous about crime, which is probably not a bad thing.
Slept so well last night - I actually have been having insomnia this last week on the lower dose of lithium but last night I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. Chilled at my aunt and uncle's this morning and contacted some Cape Townian friends. Things will get busier when my sister arrives tomorrow and my cousins get back next week and of course I will have the wedding and pre-wedding events. My good friend Warren picked me up at lunchtime and we went to what we thought was Greens Restaurant in Constantia but it is now Bootlegger. This threw Warren a bit as he already knew what he wanted but it was pleasant any way and we sat on the terrace sipping chardonnay and catching up. The moment of great hilarity though was when I thought Warren was asking me about the new Zim president but he was enquiring about a guy I really like back home. I proceeded to say well he had been involved in the Gukurahundi massacres, was still strongly ZANU PF and was over 60. Warren's face was a picture but he only interjected and realised who I was talking about and how we had gone off on trajectories when I started talking about his cabinet choices. He really had thought that somehow my ideologies had shifted and I was now pursuing someone high up in ZANU PF. We both thought it very funny and so did my aunt when I got home and told and she said she is very relieved too that I am not.
It is still very hot today, tomorrow may be cooler and we pray possibly may even rain. I am trained from Zim about recycling water and using it sparingly. I think my English brother in law may have to adjust. One person who had written an article on the water crisis here said that they had told their daughter that the day Cape Town runs out of water she must immediately leave as they fear civil war will erupt. Hopefully not but when they hit zero stage and all water resources have been used up the army and police are supposed to man water points around the city - scary. The first time I went to Switzerland with the Youth Encounter on Sustainability group and we presented on water scarcity around the world at Academia Engelberg, Cape Town had been highlighted as a city that would face acute water stress in the next ten years. We presented then on what could be done and the Freshwater Research Unit at UCT had highlighted this too even further back. Desalination seems to be the only option but it could have been done before now as suggested back then, and when it does happen it is going to make the price of water really high.
I sadly will miss seeing one of my best friends Gail by a couple of days here in Cape Town as she is coming back home from Switzerland to see her grandmother who is ill. Hopefully will see a fair few others. We are going to the Matthew Mole concert at Kirstenbosch on Sunday evening, joining the wedding group at the beach Monday, I'm going wine tasting with the wedding group at Ernie Els' wine estate on Tuesday and the climb up Table Mountain is happening on Wednesday morning. So those are plans so far. Tomorrow at lunchtime I've got a Skype board meeting for Xen Arts the dance project my friend Xenoula directs that uses dance as a way to tackle social issues and bring hope. She is based in the UK and does a lot of outreach work there but once a year she comes and runs workshops in Zimbabwe with local dancers and offers it to vulnerable groups.
Xenoula's intergenerational dance project in the UK she did a year or two ago as part of Xen Arts.
Three am is really flipping early. Made it to the airport by 4.30 but entering the drive in, two what looked like reservist police stepped out and seemed to be flagging us down. Given the hour and the fact that they weren't traffic police we drove on but did eye the AK rifle slung over the one's shoulder. Don't know what that was about. My flight seemed to be leaving on time but I got down to the gate and saw out the door the teeniest tiniest plane to travel from Harare to Joburg I've ever seen for the main commercial airport. I also wondered how on earth all the people waiting to board were possibly going to cram in but miraculously they did. Decided the airline should be Not-so-Fastjet as we were happily walking out onto the tarmac to board when they signalled for us to go back into the airport and wait again. We left eventually.
Well all was tickety-boo until I got to the luggage carousel in OR Tambo. First off I became acutely aware that everyone around me was suddenly speaking in German and I didn't recognise anyone from my plane. I thought to myself, surely the plane from Zim couldn't have had that many German tourists onboard. Well I checked the carousel monitor and found out we were sharing the carousel with a flight from Munich - ah! Well I then noticed that the same plastic wrapped bag that looked very similar to mine but wasn't kept going round and round. This continued until it was the only one left and I was the only one at the carousel. I was truly blessed at this moment to encounter the most amazing airport luggage officer called Philemon. He immediately deduced what had happened - someone had mistakenly taken my bag and he went into operation mode and efficiently did all that was required to get my bag back. He was so friendly and calm I didn't feel any alarm by this and luckily my next flight had been deliberately booked for a bit later in case something like this happened. We tried phoning the person whose bag I now had but it was a Zim number and they weren't answering. I was told to proceed to my next flight and my bag would be located and delivered to my aunt's doorstep. So suitcase-less I proceeded to domestic departures - the lightest I've ever travelled.
I had just checked-in when my aunt messaged to say Philemon had phoned her and said my suitcase was going to be put on my plane and I could get it off the carousel in Cape Town. Delighted I went through security and wondered round duty free drinking a much needed cup of Vida flat white. Sitting waiting to board 5 minutes before boarding time I happened to notice Philemon walking past me. I waved and was just saying thank you when he said he had come looking for me as I had to go back to the Kulula checkin desk as they couldn't put my suitcase through due to security. It was pure fluke we had spotted each other. For some reason OR Tambo doesn't do announcements in the domestic departures. As it was now boarding time we had to hot foot it back through the security gate but when we got to the Kulula desk they were reluctant to let my bag go through at this point. Philemon was a true champion and patiently argued that in fact he had had my bag for two hours but couldn't locate me and that I had actually already checked in. They wouldn't budge and by this time it was 5 minutes until my flight was to depart. Finally Philemon won them over - we hurriedly had to go back through a special side security gate where, flustered, I had to get my laptop out all over again and then sprint to the boarding gate. Thankfully I made it and I am indebted to Philemon. He was the best airport officer I have ever encountered and I intend to write a letter of praise to his department at OR Tambo. I actually got a follow up phone call when I got to Cape Town to check my bag had made it to Cape Town. Blown away!
Well Harare was refreshingly crisp this morning and Joburg was supposedly only 11 degrees, although I don't believe it was that cold. Cape Town on the other hand is 38! Am a little fatigued from the early start and slight drama - thank goodness for lithium, I'm not sure I would otherwise have remained so calm. Have spent the afternoon chatting away to my aunt and uncle and catching up since I last saw them. I'm going to sleep well tonight.
Today has been a little frenetic but I did manage to see my friend Michelle who was back visiting from the UK with another friend briefly at lunch time which was really super. I went round swiping for stuff I bought yesterday but couldn't pay for when everything was offline. Made a last minute dash to Maasdorp market to get two other things and everyone seemed to be on a go slow. Then went to swipe at the central pay point and once again payment wouldn't go through - well at least I hope it jolly well didn't, must check now. Ended up having to part with very precious US dollars but it had to be done.
Rushed home and packed (hope I'm under 20 kg) and then in my haste to get to Greendale I misplaced the gate remote twice - really started to think I had finally lost the plot completely but found it in the dog biscuit bag, thank goodness. I taught my last two lessons before heading to Cape Town. Both of the Chinese parents are keen for me to continue teaching as soon as I get back from South Africa - the one father was almost keen for me to teach on Christmas Day but I said I would like Christmas off. As I had time between teaching I stayed on with my five year old and he created his own game which was quite intriguing and well thought out. Reminded me of the old pinball circuits and he even constructed a pouch to store the balls. My ten year old needed to learn his numbers in French and had a new song - Le Verdon to learn (it's not as exciting as Mon Bateau de Papier). His dad gave me his school report and it wasn't bad, the areas he needs to work on though are dictation and conjugation of verbs. I think I need to enjoy the break for the next ten days as I'll be back to work after the 19th.
It's not this bad but I do wish I got paid to not work in school holidays. Instead they are sometime my busiest times.
Seems the army parade caused a bit of congestion and confusion in town today but luckily my route to Greendale was fine. Driving back from Newlands at the end of the day I hit a fair bit of traffic and it was raining quite heavily. Bit of thunder though which is nice and the sound of crickets. Wish I could take some rainwater to Cape Town. OK I'm off to bed. Have to be up at an ungodly hour and navigate my way to the airport.
There are some things that you really do need it for though.
It's been an interesting day today. Started off with craft for the home schoolers. Told my 7 year old baby Jesus was born 2000 years ago and would have had a donkey, not a push chair. She misheard me and said, 2 million years ago? Er no, that would make him Australopithecus. We listened to French children songs (I've never heard Disney in French before, we didn't just listen to Disney though) and some Piano Guys and Lindsey Stirling on violin (this was inspiration for my older student as she's learning violin). At one point her little brother interrupted and said was the French song in Shona? I thought it rather funny as it was a particularly classical piece.
KIDS UNITED - Tout Le Bonheur Du Monde
Not the song my four year old thought was in Shona but close :P
Well I'd just quickly tried to make an online payment which miraculously went through this time straight away (only to be told my previous payment had also gone through when I thought my bank was returning it to my account). Had just done this when it seems the internet in the whole of Harare, if not the whole country? went down. This meant whatsapp didn't work (not a humungous train smash as you could still text or if needed call) but more crucial no POS swipe machines were running as they need to be online. This proved a nightmare later as I was trying to do final gift shopping for family in Cape Town and I had to pay in cherished cash. One shop actually said since I was a regular customer they would let me pay tomorrow and swipe - I don't know I would be that trusting but I do go there very regularly so they know who I am :P The other issue for me was that I use the internet for some things in my lessons. Luckily was able to improvise and make do with the materials I had on hand but am going to make sure my lessons for tomorrow are no-internet-proof. Hoping things are back to normal now it's come back. Apparently they were booting out the poor pavement vendors in town. I don't know if the internet outage had anything to do with that. There is also apparently a parade into town by the defence forces tomorrow. I don't know if that was why Borrowdale Road was teeming with army personnel yesterday. The shop assistant in one gift shop I went into this afternoon asked me as I was leaving if I thought we had a future under the new government. It caught me on the hop and I said I was a little pessimistic and didn't know if we necessarily had a "new" government. He said he thought everything was going to come right and that we have got rid of the bad - I hope he's right.
My Chinese five year is now definitely set to leave Zim in March. He won't go back to Sharon School and there is a chance he may join my home schoolers in the mornings. We'll see. The good news (I am going to miss him terribly so yes there needs to be good news!) is that it looks like we will continue our lessons via Skype. In China they only start junior school at 7 years old but from the sounds of it nursery school is gruelling. Poor boy will then have me for an hour each evening when he gets home after 4.30 pm. I got to see his school report from this term and it was pleasing to see the teacher thought his vocab had come on a long way. But yes, I am going to miss him dreadfully - he is the high point of my day and I always leave a lesson with him with a smile.
Need to keep reminding myself of this.
On a final note, my dear mother asks me this evening, "It's this Thursday you're going to Cape Town?" Um yes mother, which Thursday were you thinking it was, it is two days away.
We embarked on a morning of craft today with the home schoolers. The seven year old was very enthusiastic but her brother had gone to bed late and started flagging mid session. His sister promptly told him he must get going as this was the most fun day of the school year. I did want to say we had done craft at the end of last term but held my tongue. To try get them familiar with Christmas carols since they don't seem to know any I played a continuous stream all morning (yes I was a little over it by the end - we might listen to French songs instead tomorrow). My seven year old informed me she thought carols are rather sad. I played one French one and they thought that was more lively. Today we worked on making a nativity set out of toilet rolls and using various pieces of card and paper I have at home (trying to make use of some of my art supplies - I must stop hoarding). My older student really threw herself into this, even thinking that baby Jesus needed a nappy and then at the end saying how about a push chair! Whilst she was busy gluing she came out with the statement that one day we were going to see each other in heaven. I thought this rather sweet, until her next comment which was that she would be so shocked to see me there - thanks :P
This was the only carol my students thought was happy. I guess they semi have a point.
My personal trainer put me through 40 minutes of heavy going cardio at lunch time. I guess it was preparing me if I want to climb up Table Mountain with others from the wedding group. My PT did say if I do she'd recommend pacing myself but taking short breaks not long ones. Today's cardio had me doing plank jumping jacks (a new one, which was tough!) and then moving my hands in and out while planking (this was hard too - mountain climbers now seem easy, never thought I'd say that). Halfway my PT told me to rest til I was ready for me to start the next thing - she said she had to avoid eye contact to not give away what was coming next. I think I was a purplish hue at the end. Hopefully means I can make it up Table Mountain next week, my PT thinks I can, will see. My friends getting married are a lot fitter than I am.
Having trouble trying to make payments online. My bank has now switched to all transactions having to be done on the internet - you can no longer do it at the bank. The trouble is payments have to go through the RBZ and they can only be processed between 8 am and 2 pm on weekdays. I made one payment at the weekend not knowing this and it left my account but didn't reach the person. Still waiting since last week Tuesday for it to be returned to my account, sigh. On the way back from teaching French this evening I drove along Borrowdale Road past State House and St George's. There are army bases along that road but there was a lot of army presence along the way, even an armoured vehicle by the airforce base which was a little unsettling as I don't know why one of those is still out. Still a rocky road ahead with Zim, one takes each day as it comes.
Well for those who follow my blogging, you'll be pleased to know I am talking to my sister again - phew. She and her husband unfortunately had a break in while they were out on Friday night in Swindon and they contacted us on Saturday morning to tell us what had happened. There they were thinking crime would be worse in southern Africa. Luckily they are both fine but the person who broke in trashed their living room and it has left them feeling vulnerable. All this did mean I spoke to my sister again though and we're on better terms.
Been translating the song Mon Bateau de Papier by Jean Humenry as my Chinese French student needs to know it off by heart by Tuesday. Have the song stuck in my head now. We looked at Aztec gods and goddesses in French on Friday and he drew me his own version of one which he described in French as being a cross between Chantico, the Aztec goddess of fire and Ra, the Egyptian god of the sun. Am enjoying using French again and listening to French music. It is a beautiful language.
Went to two films this weekend. The Dance Trust of Zimbabwe's premier for Paddington Bear 2, where we were the oldest members of the audience by quite a long shot but which was delightful and then Justice League, which had a really quirky humour. Have spent most of the rest of the weekend preparing to do craft with the home schoolers this week for Christmas, finding French conjugation exercises, looking for material on the Amazon River and then ironing to pack for Cape Town. I have to be at the airport on Thursday morning at 4 am - arrrgh! I am not a morning person. Copious cups of coffee are going to be drunk. Hopefully the plane leaves on time - have heard stories they don't always. Will be a little thwarting if they don't when you think of the hour you woke up and hopefully we get to Joburg in time to catch the connecting flight.
Getting excited for Cape Town. My friends whose wedding I am going down for have organised some fun group activities during the week before the wedding and I have also heard from some friends. Trying to pack so I don't need to do laundry as the water crisis is quite dire. They are starting to build water desalination plants, possibly this should have been done earlier. When I did freshwater ecology in third year, there were predictions then that Cape Town would run out of water by the year 2020 and that was more than ten years ago.
Went along to the St George's advent service this evening and it brought a strong sense of nostalgia for when we used to go to St George's chapel on a Sunday for mass with my god mother. There was something very comforting singing the traditional carols and saying the responses and prayers in unison. Am having to teach my home schoolers Christmas carols as they don't seem to know them, not even Away in a Manger. After the service we had port and mince pies on the terrace of the "castle". This also brought back memories of being in the Passion Play when I was in form one under the direction of Elaine Gillespie. Saw a few of my former Convent teachers and some school friends. I was blown away when a lady who was several years ahead of me at school and who is blind recognised me by voice. I didn't really know her at school and since then I've only really spoken to her once when I worked for the Wild Tree coffee shop at Cyril Rogers' former home so I was amazed. Spoke to a family friend and they reckon things are still going well politically despite the cabinet announcement and that the way the "coup" happened was miraculous.
