Day 80

There are a lot of lasts this week. Last Afrikaans lesson, last shift of a staff member before I leave, last day at placement, last ride in a CCS van, last meal in South Africa, etc. So many lasts, so many times to reflect. And sadly, too many times to cry. Today is the last Afrikaans lesson. I gave Nathalie a thank you card that I wrote in broken Afrikaans. I had my Lonely Planet phrasebook that helped me with some grammar and my notes from lessons for words and phrases. I tried to use words she taught to show her the progress I've made and that I was paying attention to her instruction. She loved it, which made me feel good.

It is hard to had the reigns of the EHD over to Brooke, Stefano, and Jenny. They are both capable of the job and I have trained them well. It is hard to let go of something you enjoy so much, especially when everyone thinks you're doing an amazing job and do not want you to leave. Wonga told Nokwanda today that she's to lock the gate and not let me out on Saturday. It feels so good to know I've positively affected the lives of so many people here, which makes it all the harder to leave. I've done so much, I want to stay to see the ripple effect, but I have to go home. I cannot stay here forever, as I have a life back home. I have a life here as well and it is sad to see it end, but I can only choose one life to live. Sabrina chose to return to live here (she arrives the day I leave) but for me, my life is in America. I really do hope to have the chance to come back someday. But I love so many places, I just have no idea what the future holds for me.

I love the feel of the breeze here. It reaches down to the soul and makes it smile. It cools off the body, refreshes the mind, and forces you to pause to enjoy the moment. When the breeze comes I love to close my eyes and feel it wrap around me. It's like the city I love giving me a gentle, loving, hug. I will miss the breeze here, will miss how it moves the soul. It touches nothing but skin but is felt within. It reassures, forgives, and calms. It aids reflection and empowers you to keep going. I will miss the breeze here but every time I feel a summer breeze at home I will be reminded of Cape Town. The gift the city has given me is endless.

I spent the morning at Scalabrini, working on the EHD. It was busy, but we were able to manage. It was Brooke's first day and she fit in perfectly. There was hardly any time for rest as many of the refugees wanted CV's typed up. Unfortunately too many people lie here about the most trivial things because they are lazy. I had to be stern and a bit rude because some refugees were trying to take advantage of the EHD. They wanted extra of something or sign in after the cut off time and when I refused, they would smile and turn on the charisma to get what they want.

I noticed many South Africans here who want you to sell you something or have their own agenda will feed you any lie and use as much charm to get their way. “Pretty lady!” they call while I walk by their stall, “special price for you!” I do not think for one minute the special price is a good deal, rather it's a crappy deal as they increase the price because they think I have lots of American dollars to spend. You make eye contact with them and they rush over to talk to you. You glance at something in their stall/shop and people flock to you telling you to “take your time, looking is free”. But every item you pick up they tell you an outrageous price and refuse to leave you alone until you have purchased it. You can't even think about an item with them hovering in your face, lying about its origins and meaning. And if you are not careful they will try to stick something in your bag for the price they tell you. The biggest problem are very few items at the markets are unique. I have seen so many wire-beading animals, statues that look like they were made on an assembly line rather by hand, straw artwork, wooden salad tongs, and jewelery that I wonder who really makes all the item, where is it really made, how much did they pay for it (as they are making a great profit) and how little the actual person who worked on the item was actually paid.

Another observation I made today was when I was in Checkers looking for soda. They had hardly any six pack cans. One of a few flavors, maybe 15 sitting on a small shelf tucked away in a corner. However, the individual cans/bottles were chilled in the coolers. They had cans, 500ml, 1 litre, 2 litres of every type of soda in several coolers. I was looking for a six pack of coke light or pepsi light and could not find one. Why? Because they don't sell them. Nothing is sold in bulk here. Coming from the land of bulk supplies Costco, “bigger is better”, and volume discounts, I was astonished to find hardly anything sold in bulk. No one goes to the food shop and buys food for their family of four (or more) for the two weeks because they do not have a car to drive it home in, a fridge to store the food, or shelve space to store the food. It spoils. No one here (except CCS and offices, and restaurants) need to buy toilet paper in packs of 48 rolls, soda in a pack of 24 cans, cereal boxes that are larger than newborn babies or 36 AA batteries. It took me so much time to realize what has been staring me in the face these past 3 months, everything is smaller because people must carry what they purchase. I have missed my car some days when I just wanted to go purchase food at Checkers. I have to carefully pick the amount of food I purchase because I have to carry it over a mile home. Soda, milk, and other liquids become heavy so quickly.

Unfortunately, I have to stop my pondering here as I have several more thank you notes to write. Tomorrow is Bongi's last shift before I leave so I must spend some time figuring out what I want to say.

Cheers.