T.I.A
Trip Start
Apr 05, 2009
1
18
20
Trip End
Aug 08, 2009
Manzini, Swaziland
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Again didn't do anything! Mostly caught up typing etc. Spoke to Kerry and she's having a really bad time- Felix and Paddy the volunteers are causing her loads of shit! So we sat and chatted for a while...had a really relaxing bath...then slept! That was our whole day!
2nd July
Ok we have to sort something out! A mechanic at the garage which took Dora has offered us R10,000...Pila who works here has also offered us R10,000 plus Dell said he would put in an extra R3000-wow- but that is providing Pila's sister who also has a Beetle, has the part they would need for Dora! Went up to Gables to use the internet, the bus we got on had just overtaken another bus to pick us up, so when we stopped at Mahklanya Market the other Kombi guys start arguing that we should get on their bus, no one tells us till after they have gone, they even took our drivers keys and everything...both joking around as the same time...which is weird! Didn't get to do anything as trying to download an anti virus which took the whole time! Which when it finally downloaded with 10minutes to spare, started downloading the second part to match up with the computer! Great! We'll just go and chill out at Mallie's while it finishes, got a bus to Mahklanga market then walked up, yes walked to Mallie's! As we got there Mark is going mental as the internet is completely down! So we sit and chat for awhile , then he takes a look at our laptop and ran his antivirus on it! Took a while...along while, then it found two Trojans and a worm! Fantastic! Ahhh! Luckily he managed to get rid of them but that meant he had to wipe everything, so he put his copy of Windows XP professional on, plus Norton Antivirus!! Yey thank you Mark! This was taking forever though so had some chips...good job we didn't buy frozen chicken! The internet closes at 5pm, Allan the Scottish guy gives us a lift back- we had to leave the laptop uploading! Got back and saw Dell who said he was really sorry but Pila's sister shouted at him telling him not to buy it and he should spend the money on her Beetle! Shizer! So made tea, garlic smash and chicken strips coated in PnP's Spicy Thai chicken soup! Really yummy! Just sat by the bar drinking with Dell and an American girl called Jessica. Dell kept buying us drinks as he felt so bad about the car! Had another relatively early night!
3rd July
We were meaning to get up at 8am to sort stuff out but didn't surface till 9:30am! Got ready and got the bus to Mallie's. Marks not in a very good mood and the internet had gone off again last night so still not finished the updates! Ordered breakfast but the field over the road has been spraying dung again so there are flies everywhere! Ahhh so bored! Just waiting! Mark went to check on his Dad at lunch time so I just sat on his computer playing solitaire! Henry was hanging about to chatted to him for a while. Then Rolly came in and said that Mark got home and his dad was dead- he had been battling cancer for a long time! Aw god poor Mark! So we kept on with the laptop updates, it now has Norton and Office! Moped about for a bit...had lunch, text the mechanic to say we would accept his offer but he replied saying he wants to price up parts etc first before he buys it! Shit! Snookered! Mark came in to pick up his computer and stuff- so sad! He seemed ok maybe its shock or relief in a sense as his Dad's been through so much. Allan then gave up as lift back...shitty times! Nikki sorted through the uploads that didn't need the internet and I caught up with writing, we then chatted to two young New Zealand guys- literally one looked and was about the same height as Frodo! It's his 19th tomorrow, the other guys from Singapore but living in NZ, but he has to go into national service in two months, in Singapore. Didn't do much, pasta for tea, going to go to Mbabane tomorrow and put an ad in the paper then a Shesa Nyama!
4th July
Went up to Mallie's today with Allan- really miss having a car! Got a text from Marius saying that there is no answer at the garage so they must have all gone to Mozambique for the weekend, so cant get the car till Monday! This is so no fair, Kerry Polly and Henry have all gone up today, we were invited but needed to stay for the car as its in the paper now, but no car to show people anyway! At Mallie's we were a bit cheeky and sat at Mark's station and plugged the laptop into his internet so we could finish all the updates etc. If he had been here he would be doing the same. I used the computers but the internet was dying a slow painful death, four photos in three hours! Arg, got to talk to Jo Jo though on Facebook chat and my journal updated! Nikki got all of the Norton updates done, plus Divex and spent hours downloading a Quicktime player which turned out to be for Mac not Windows! Had lunch there in a bit of a bad...well not bad just kind of hopeless mood! I love Swazi, I really do but I don't know how much longer I'm going to love it if we don't sell this car! Just cant believe how one mistake-that would be Dora-can effect so much! Hopefully we will have learned our lesson! Stayed till 5ish, the Lions beat the Springboks today! Bus back, still feeling really beaten, still no car with the cars in the paper...ok we've had no calls today but that's not the point! Moped around for a while then went to Sundowners...a dinner of maize Pap and tomato soup really didn't seem appetizing! Only had a small dinner of chicken strips in lemon and honey R35 (2.10) Read through yesterdays paper and July's What's Happening paper...just got me more mopey as there is a huge spread on Bush Fire, an amazing festival at the end of the month at House on Fire...but we aren't going to be able to go! Back at the hostel some of the guys had started a fire as so cold on a night, so just all stood around chatting! Bazbus arrived with Lisa on Yey! She ran up shouting "Sarah-Losh and Nikki-Losh!!" people wont have thought she was crazy at all! She's found out her visa should be fine for Holland!!
5th July
Our room is annoying me, we've been in this room how long, which has cupboards and our things are still in bags! So sorted all our things out, everythings now organized plus took some bags of rubbish out! We need some food in! So got the bus to Shoprite at Malkerns, ATM was closed but luckily the accepted card in the shop. Trying to just buy healthy things- I didn't buy a single piece of chocolate! The meat looked disgusting though so will walk along to the butchery! 'Our' butchery is the furthest away from Shoprite so we called into others on the way but they were either closed or no chicken! Esh! Finally got the meat- my god is it hot, close hot and sticky as if there is a storm coming! Got the bus back and packed are things away! Nikki's mum rings so they chat for a while then we start the braii! As we are putting the meat on though Lisa and Lucy (an English girl off the Baz Bus who sounds like Claire from Hollyoaks!) They've been out for the day so we have a good old chat...only thing off putting was Lucy is involved with a Christian Youth group...Hmmm! Had a relatively early night as nothing else to do, oh had a call from a guy about the car and he said he will come and see it tomorrow...if its back that is!
6th July
Marius texts saying he will have the car back after lunch...Grrr! While we are having breakfast Allan comes over, he had briefly talked about him mum starting to get dementure and I mentioned a few people in my family have in (not naming names here!) so he came over to ask if I would have a chat with him regarding some studys he's been working on! Ok...he's been researching for the last five years ways to prevent cancer etc. This has led to a lot of different things , so we sat for a few hours, him mostly giving me an advanced biology lesson in how diabetes works etc.is caused and the works he's done. He explained how insulin works with the blood sugar levels, plus how doctors will check your blood sugar levels which will always be the right level until your pancreas fails and the insulin levels go down making your blood sugar rise which is when they tell you that you have diabetes. So yeah he recommended tomato juice, cauliflower, sprouts, sardines (I draw the line there though) cod liver oil with EPA and DHA, free range meat- this is because of the way cows used to only eat grass etc so their omega 3 and ours balanced but now they are fed so much grains etc our omega 3's etc are all out of balance, extra virgin oil, butter not margarine also Turmeric an Indian spice reduces inflammation which increases the brain connections which prevents dementure and arthritis, as well as Dolomite, Magnesium and Zinc are the best vitamins to help! He also did a study a few years ago about intermittent fasting, basically eating 5-6 small meals one day (healthy of course) then not the next day. This gives your body a chance to have a 'clean up' day to actually use the fuel you put into it. He said your blood sugar levels are constantly going up and down all day and so your insulin is constantly going up too, so if you don't eat every other day your blood sugar doesn't do this therefore your insulin doesn't need to increase, so overall lowering your insulin levels decreasing diabetes...he also said after doing this for 7-10days you just stop feeling hungry all together! He did this for two years and now just fasts when he can! I think we are going to give it ago! Many reasons, a)I have diabetes in the family and dementure b) I really want to be healthy, live longer, happier and slimmer! c) we would save money not eating every other day d) it would be amazing not to feel hungry all the time and to be able to control your body that way! Ok its 1:30pm and the cars still not back, Sean texts Marius asking what the hell he is playing at but he basically got the same response as I did! Went up to Quatermain's to use the internet as its faster than Mallie's...ok its crap we've jinxed it! Typical! Got another four photos uploaded and replied to my Dads email- I really miss him! Also replied to my mums but as I was sending the internet went off so I don't know if it sent! Arrhhh! Nikki spent about 20mins trying everything to get it working- I love how persistant she is but sometimes you just gotta say to hell with it! Fukksak! Went into Pick and pay, got some Tumeric spice, but it apparently tastes horrid so its best to ground it with black pepper, plus some cod liver oil tablets and a british paper, the front page stating Ban the Burker! Ran into Steve from Sheffield, he moved over here 6 months ago, he was a science teacher in England, now he has started working at a private school. The methods this school is using are Applied teaching- so he has to just pick any topic i.e. backpacking and tie all the subjects into it, so geography- where to travel, health- malaria which them goes into biology plus economics for treatment as well as budgeting. But anyway its just a really cool way of teaching- I would love it! He started today and has apparently had a great day, no curriculum, no exam! He was buying some spaghetti, ox cubes and marshmallows for an experiment tomorrow! Amazing! Had a look at the books but all a bit expensive plus the only one of interest would be the fourth Harry Potter book but it was R200 (14 pound!) Got the kombi back- still no car! Moped about in the room for a while getting really fed up, finally after 5ish Marius texts to say he's here with the car. Finally! It was a bit awkward- but hey its not our problem. Feel slightly better, rang the guy about the car but he said it was too late now so he will come tomorrow...ok he's still interested at least! Chill out a bit more then make dinner, I have fish and mash, Nikki has veggie sausages and mash...we mix some of the Tumeric into the mash with black pepper, the mash turns a lovely radioactive yellow and tastes rather strange! Oh well...we still eat it though, gotta stop just eating for the taste, plus if all our food tastes like this we wont eat as much! After dinner Lisa comes and sits in our room...the house is so busy tonight- every bed full! She's been telling us about her toilet problems! The doc has given her laxative medicine to help but she thinks it tastes like candy so to stop her doing herself an injury I've had to hide it! She is so sweet though! I managed to swap my Stephen King book for Bridgette Jones edge of reason with Lucy! Yey!
7th July
Get a call at 8:30am from a guy wanting to view the car! Brilliant! He arrives at 10am driving a Merc with a woman and baby as passengers! He seems to really like the car, plus he didn't question the R14,000 at all! He just said that he needs to go and sort some things in Mbabane then he will be back in a few hours! My god does that mean he is buying it?! Another guy comes an hour later to view it, the woman was buying it and she did seem interested but they asked if we would lower the price due to them having to pay a percentage in tax as it's South African registered- hadn't thought about that! They say they will give me a call and let us know. We get another call from a guy who is going to view the car tonight and another guy talking about the engine as he was a Beetle but can't view it till the weekend! So just pottered about for the rest of the day- then the guy from the this morning calls saying he is sorting the money out and will be here at 8am tomorrow morning- Ahhhhhh my god! Fantastic! Means we will be on the Baz Bus on Thursday to Durban! We start looking over our plans again but don't do much the rest of the day, the guy still comes to view the car- a little intimidating as he brought his brothers with him- says he will need to come back on Thursday with his wife, no problem. Means if our buyer falls through we have a bit of a backup! We went for a walk up Bethany hill to watch the sunset...my god I'm so unfit! It was hard going, but worth it...so beautiful! You could see for miles and miles! Plus we managed to fast today...well all day till 8pm I couldn't stand it anymore and ate a banana!
8th July
We sat on the steps over looking the car at 8am with all the papers ready...come 9:30am I give him a call! He says he is coming, just obviously running on Swazi time! Grrr! So we sat there with Lisa and Danny, a young guy from Durban- he is here visiting his parents....gosh never been so bored! Pottered about for a little while...ahhh literally nothing happened! Arg even the powers gone off so no music! Sean came in at Lunch time and said he wants us to go to a Shesa Nyama as we are leaving tomorrow! So I ring the buyer and he insists he is coming he is just waiting for 'clearance from the bank', meaning he must have put a cheque in, he promises he will be here for about 3pm! So we go out with Sean and meet Kiki, Papi Payne, Dell and Allan there. No body is particularly in the mood though. Kiki tells us she is hormonal as its that time of the month, shes been at work all day, hence she snapped at Sean putting him in a bit of a bad mood! We bought our own meat separately today, as Sean was moaning to me saying that he gets annoyed as whenever Allan comes with us, he never offers to help he just sits and waits for Sean to bring him his food! So it was me, Sean and Allan round the braii- its so hot and smoky! I'm surprised my makeup wasn't all over my face as my eyes were streaming! Finally the food was done, it was yummy as always...but there wasn't the atmosphere like usual! After everything that happened with Del last week he has been keeping quite, so him and Papi Payne sat on the next table chatting together, plus Allan...well he's just awkward! Still enjoyed it though. Got back with Allan and after 10minutes or so I couldn't find my IPod, shouted of Lisa who said when she plugged the radio back in there was no IPod attached to the cable and she had assumed we had put it away...oops...with the power cut we had forgot it was still plugged in! We searched everywhere, then Lisa told us that a coloured guy whom Karen (the other owner) had banned from here before as he is a bit dodgy, had been in early saying that he was waiting for Miguel so could he wait here? Lisa exclaimed that he couldn't and Miguel has a perfectly good bar for him to sit and wait at Sundowners! He then persisted and asked to speak to Phila, she reluctantly agreed but then Phila turned round and said I don't even know him why is he asking for me?! He then had to be chased from almost going into a dorm room...then he left! When she told us this we went down to see Miguel, but it turned out he wasn't meeting anyone today- this guy turns out to be called Larry, so Miguel rings a friend who might have his number, Larry is actually there with this friend when he calls...he obviously denied it but he said he would be here at 8am in the morning as Jan (a Swedish guy at the hostel) is paying him to taxi him around tomorrow! Arrhhh! We went back to the hostel- still no sign of our 'buyer', after a lot of deliberating we decided to call the police...well Xoilie rings them! They said they would comes round etc. Papi Payne came back with Del so we sat with him playing cards...just chilling by the fire...the 'buyers' phone is either off or out of range! The police came and I felt a bit stupid! But they took all the details then had a quick chat with Miguel, and agreed to come in the morning to speak with Larry! The Police-woman randomly said she needs a new pen pal so she will keep my number! Strange! About 8pm Vusi the guard came in and said there was a guy asking for us! Yey! Grabbed the paper work and ran down to the gate! It was the 'buyer', he apologized for today but promised he would be here at 10am with the money and a tow truck! He said things took longer with the bank than expected! Ok fine...as long as he is here! Guess we are not getting on the bus tomorrow =( I'm so upset and frustrated! Between being stuck here and my IPod...don't know how much more I can stand!
9th July
Didn't rush too much this morning as after all we know this guy is seriously running on Swazi time...after all this fastest thing Swazi's do is driving! Once again 10am came...and went! Plus his phone was still either off or out of service! Grr...so sat and played our new card game, Spite and Malice. Around lunch time I was about to go and get take away from Sundowners when the back up buyer called and said he outside with his wife, so I went to run out of the door- slipped on the mat and hit my knee- Ouch! Showed them the car- she really didn't seem interested, he explained they will need to discuss it in private first then call me. Expecting a no as even though he seemed to love it his wife didn't seem to. Went into Sundowners and ordered takeaway, its so much quicker than when we have a meal here! The 'buyer' guy didn't show up all day...and couldn't call him! So did pretty much nothing all day...not in the best of mood at all...arrgggg!
10th July
Ok going to have to go to the shops...plus can't just sit around here doing nothing all day again! Went up to the Gables...internet at Quatermains...did try not to order anything but when we needed a 2nd hour, we ordered a toasty! Couldn't upload photos as the internet was too crap but got my journal uploaded, the plus point of sitting around doing nothing is I've managed to catch up, only 10days behind the actual date now! Replied to Jilly- a bit of a long rant and various other things...finding inspiration tattoos etc. Found out that Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland comes out in March 2010...my god I'm so excited! Got some things from Pick and Pay, including some cookies...which are supposed to be for Lisa! Bus back...turns out it was the wrong one so had to change at Mahlanya market, but on the second bus the guy got really pissy as Nikki argued over the excessive fare! Just chilled out for a while- Paddy and Felix, the English guys volunteering are back from Mozambique, so we sat and played cards for a while. When Kerry came back we sat in her room with Niels, the dutch guy living in Mozambique who is helping Kerry build a house for the teacher at the care point. We had a few drinks then Kerry gets her manikin head out with the wig she bought to practice braiding black hair on! One thing lead to another and we ended up putting make up on the manikin...with the wig...along with Kerry's red scarf...then decided she looked like Michael Jackson! So with some assistance from Kerry's hands in white socks, music (between the two of our music collections we only had five Michael Jackson songs with neither Thriller nor Billy Jean!) So Rockin' Robin it was! Along with vitamin pills scattered over the table and cigarettes! It was so hilarious! One of the funniest things ever- plus we made a video of it! We sat for a bit more then went to bed...after eating some bread and butter plus standing by the fire as she was making real African popcorn! Using maize in water instead of corn in oil...it didn't pop and tasted like the skin left on some popcorn cornels that you have to spit out or unpick them from your teeth! Eurch
11th July
Tried designing our tattoos for a while- I want the African continent with a baobab tree and a small heart where Swaziland is! Then made an attempt at Nikki's dreads, tidying them up till 2pm when Kerry came running through the house saying that the guys had started putting up Glory's house! So we grabbed our things then drove over there, near the care point! The beams were already being put up so we plonked ourselves down with some kids to help strip the tree trunks! Apparently if the bark is peeled off it stops the insects living in between the bark and the tree! Hard work! Our hands were in agony! If the tree was new it was easy, the bark just peeled straight off but if it old it took forever to strip the bark away but then the under bark would stick to the tree so you have to peel it like a potato! It was amazing though- just being involved, watching Niels clambering about the structure like a monkey! We stayed till after sunset, so hungry and sore! Managed not to cut my self once! We went straight to Sundowners! We ordered immediately but Kerry wanted to wait to see what Niels was doing. We were already eating by the time they all ordered; we were so tired and cold! There were some strange music videos playing...Lady GaGa...just weird! I don't understand what the fascination is! Bless they waited ages for their food ...even when Niels Pizza came they must have forgotten about Kerry's as it took another 20minutes for a burger! Back up at the hostel we stood round the fire having a drink, Xolile's daughter was here, she's so much trouble- but so cute though
12th July
Boredom is surely going to kill us! Lisa was going to Manzini which apparently has the fastest internet in Swaziland, I wanted to go but Nikki didn't as she said it would be wasting money...we had a bit of a fight so I went by myself. A guy from Bristol who is living in SA, working in Kruger Park as a guide, offered us a lift. The internet is amazing here! Got all the photos done plus various other things in an hour, fantastic! Plus it was so much cheaper than normal internet- R20 (less than 2 pound) Nipped to the ATM then PEP as Lisa wanted a journal for her Holland trip! And...nothing to do again! Except for catching up with this...Nikki still not really talking to me...don't know what's going to happen! As I was typing, Kerry says that she is going up Bethany with Niels and Allan if we want to join them, so I, Nikki and Kerry were sat in the back of Niels bakkie- so much fun! So much nicer driving up Bethany hill! Heehee, nearer the top, Jiggs- Rolly's brother was driving down with his dogs, apparently we just missed someone paragliding! Got to the top and there was a group of young people with their cars, drinking- we had missed sunset as well! We mostly just wandered about- it was mainly, we were mainly up there as Kerry hadn't been up there at all- in the 6 months she has been here esh! We only stayed about 20minutes then it started to get really dark so we drove back- Kerry is terrified about going downhill...when she isn't driving...must be a control issue thing! Started typing again- nearly all caught up, then made tea, chicken and rice, but with Turmeric mixed in the rice along with curry powder...still didn't taste very nice!
13th July
Nikki had been intrigued by the fast internet at Manzini, so after I make some yummy eggy bready as feeling a bit shit as dreamt that Nikki died last night...of a disease which breaks down her organs (very detailed dream!) So we get the Kombi to Manzini, sat next to a young woman in a turquoise suit wearing a surgeon's mask over her mouth...strange! It's so hot in Manzini...the bus depo is complete mayhem, we managed to fight our way through into the market- which lead to us walking up a hill to the main street- which luckily I recognized! A short walk away was the miracle internet- slightly cooler inside thankfully! Nikki was on the laptop sorting out more updates and software downloads....*yawn* I get my journal updated but only managed 6 photos in 2 hours as there was no java on this computer and it was a little slower than yesterday! Think I'm going to cut my dreads out! I've been thinking about it for a while now as my hair just hasn't taken to them! The dreads are fine but my roots aren't dreading up, no matter how much I rub them etc. Plus I'm getting bored of them and miss my short hair! So afterwards we go into the 'mall' to Clicks (boots) and get a comb, conditioner and some dolomite tablets as recommended by Allan. Pop into Shoprite for something for dinner, arg but this guy starts following us around asking us questions about what we are doing here, where we are from etc (I swear next time someone asks us, we are replying we are Afrikans...then they will shut up!) Then he had the cheek to ask us what church we are attending here, because of course we are Christian! We did our best to ignore him or give one word answers, even when we were stood at the till he just stood behind us...finally he left! Ok back to the bus- feel so harassed in the bus depo, guys constantly shouting "where are you going?" It is getting better and easier the more we go to different depos though! Bus back the guy tries to charge us R2 more to get back than getting here, so we argued and it ended in us only giving him R1 extra! Humph its more principle! Got back and chatted to Kerry and Niels about my hair, luckily Kerry can style it afterwards for me! Ok...lets get started! Its already 5pm, my god, expected to have to do half tonight then half tomorrow! It took half an hour to do three! Esh it's going to take a while! Its so weird! Lisa came to help and after a while so did Xolilie, who was actually really good at it! So we had a bit of a dance around to Black Eyed Peas, then a sing-a-long to Kelly Clarkson! All of the dreads were out by 10:30pm- bar one which I'm considering keeping! 47 dreads! Ahhh! My hair is huge! Brushed it for ages, so it was now 47 dreads plus a bag of hair! Into the shower, washed my hair 3 times! Felt great though! Put some hot oil on and conditioner then brushed through it again...its not doing too bad actually...my heads really sore though!
14th July
Went up to Mallies...pretty boring- everyone was fascinated by my hair- they all said it was so much better like this! Back at the house we were so bored...so after playing cards for a while we sat and watched Lara Croft with Lisa, Paddy and Felix. Such an old movie, its weird! Just before the movie finished, I got a text from Sean inviting us over to the farm for the night. Erm...a bit random but ok nothing else to do! Kerry was going to cut my hair but it can wait till tomorrow. Got our things together then Kerry came in and said she would like to come over too for a while. But none of us had eaten so Nikki and I nipped down to Sundowners to order 3 cheese burgers while Kerry got ready. Drove to Malkerns to go to the bottle shop and stock up, when we got there we found Papi Payne sitting on the floor next to the fridge! Esssh! Got our things and said we might as well take him back to the farm to save Kiki coming for him! He is so sweet bless him...but so drunk! Got to the Farm and unloaded our things...and Papi Payne! Ahhh I'm so hungry...but the burger was crappy and the chips cold and soggy! So we just sat and chatted having a drink then Kiki came in- she's having a really shitty time at work! That was pretty much it- Kerry left about 9ish, after watching part of Sweeney Todd we watched the Beach with Leo Dicaprio, which Nikki's never seen, it was fantastic, even better than I remembered! The only weird thing was though, going to the toilet! The bathroom is en-suite to their room which when Kiki had gone to bed, was a little awkward , she was still awake though and as chatty as ever! Put the spare mattress in the middle of the lounge with the covers etc. So strange having a sleep over! Just bizarre! Ahh it was after 1am that we went to sleep and we have to be up for 7am!
15th
Woken up by Doobie (the little Jack Russell) jumping into bed with us full of kisses! Ok ok we are getting up! Had slept in all our clothes so no need to dress or anything! Such a good nights sleep- such a comfy mattress in comparison to ours! It was so nice waking up and looking out over the farm, a beautiful view to wake up too! Except in the middle of the night, a cow was giving birth, my god it sounded like someone was being murdered, it went on for hours! Got our things and were off out with Kiki, she has a meeting in Mbabane plus shes angry at work anyway! She drives like a true Swazi, although mostly not her fault as people kept pulling out in front of her! Mulled about at the hostel for most of the morning, we aren't used to being up this early; don't know what to do with ourselves! Had breakfast at Sundowners...meh what to do? Eventually we decided to go up to the Gables. Used the internet- uploaded my journal but the photos wouldn't work again! Kerry calls while we are in Pick n Pay- they have organized a 'clean up' of Mahlanya market, partially as an initiative to clean up the area but also to collect recyclable rubbish to make costumes for Bush Fire! She said they needed some help so on the way back we got off the bus at the market and found them. It was disgusting! We only got a rubber glove half way through! Some of the kids joined in helping but most of the adults just looked at us bewildered! It was a little annoying as we know it was all just going to be exactly the same in a few days, especially as most of the rubbish is from the shop owners opposite, who can't be bothered to keep the rubbish and take it to the tip! Grrrr! But we did do loads, had a whole trailer full of black bin bags! We eventually left at 5:30pm- Jiggs (the oldest Mallies brother) had two little kids with him, the little boy, was called Neo- so cute! We went quickly back to Mallies, disinfected our hands and arms as best we could, Jiggs gave Nikki and I a Bush Fire T-shirt for helping out- Yey! Back off to the hostel! Jumped straight in the shower for a good scrub and washed my hair for Kerry to cut it! I showed her a picture of roughly what I would like it like and she set to work, we sat there in the kitchen while Nikki cooked dinner! It took a while...my god! I love it, for once it's actually exactly as I wanted it, fabulous! It is going to take a bit of getting used to though, wow! Borrowed Kerry's hairdryer then decided to bleach my roots as well! As soon as the bleach went on though it was burning...figured it was just as haven't bleached in a while! It was so painful though had to wash it off a little prematurely though...plus Nikki didn't have enough bleach to do all of my roots, so underneath my fringe is dark! Its not a white blond as it should be but its ok, glad I washed it off though as the bleach had burnt my scalp a bit! Ouch!
16th July
Ahhh slept in late today! As we were just finishing getting dressed- we saw Kerry who mentioned she was also going to Manzini so she gave us and another Aussie guy Craig a lift through. When we got there he immediately went off to the market, we just wandered about for a bit in the shops with Kerry. She left and we had a look at the market, got two packs of playing cards for R14 (1.50) so now we can play Spite and Malice ourselves! Ahh its so hot here, so after grabbing a KFC- first one since...oh well we were in Durham anyway! Very tasty...although the popcorn chicken came with fruit chutney...was actually quite nice strange enough! We decided to get a kombi to Mbabane...long bus ride (well for Swaziland anyway). Not far down the road there was a horrible crash, a kombi had gone into the back of a tip truck, it was all crumpled up, plus a car had gone into the back of that! There were some people still lying on the side of the road even! About 10minutes outside Mbabane our kombi broke down! Ahhhhh! SO we all had to get out and another kombi picked us up, but obviously this kombi was packed already, so we ended up standing, squished with necks cricked again the ceiling holding on for our lives as we went round the loop-de-loop road! Oh well at least we were stranded at the side of the road! Finally we got off, straight into the plaza, nipped into CNA(woolies) to get Kerry a Mozambique map as she is going on Wednesday for a week...really want to go! Nikki got a book called the After Party- about the ANC (South Africans government). Just then wandered about, got directions to NWJ a jewelers (recommendation from Lisa) to get my nose pierced- 3.50! Not bad! Using a gun also, which they should never have banned in the UK, they are so much quicker! She sat me down just by the counter and I drew the dot on as I didn't want it in the same hole as before! I think it made my nose look pointy before whereas if I have it more to the side it will hopefully broaden my nose! OUCH! Forgot how much it hurt! Haven't had it done in a few years, instantly my right eye was watering! Love it though, defiantly better in the new hole! Wandered about again, managed to get a phone card, then back to the hostel! We chilled out for a while, then we were going to go to an environmental meeting at House on Fire with Kerry, it started at 6pm, but she was leaving at 4pm to do some errands, so will said we would catch a bus at half 5, unfortunately after putting on our Bush Fire T-Shirts...we stood from 5:15pm...but no bus! We stood at the side of the road singing Ooo Eee Ooo Aahh Haaa Ting Tang Walla Walla Bing Bang- Witchdoctor, as all the kombis drove past full! As it got to after 6pm and getting quite dark we decided we would have to give it a miss! So off to Sundowners for dinner! Lisa came down with a Dutch couple...they were pretty boring! Lisa ended up coming into our room and we just had a big old chat, then Kerry popped in to join us. Niels ring Kerry, and they had a wonderfully awkward conversation! We joked around for a while, had some crisps and nuts! Shortly tiredness set in so we all retreated to bed!
17th July
Caught a lift to the garage along with Kerry after she trimmed my hair a little bit more! The manager wasn't there but the guy rang him and he said he would come along and have a look at Dora. We went for a kombi to Mallies, had to walk for a bit, nearly walked into some cows...Got to Mallies but the internet café was empty! Found Mark sitting chatting to some girls, it turns out all the power is off as they are cutting the bamboo round the power lines! Ahhh! So chatted for a bit and ordered some food. It took ages.....finally just as it arrived the power came back on. So we sorted out the internet, replied to Jilly and Jo plus managed to get all the recent photos of my hair etc on! Hadn't wrote up anymore of my journal so didn't need to do that, mainly fannied about on it for a few hours- ordered some apple crumble mmm! We were going to leave at 4:30pm but figured might as well stay for dinner! Sat in the bar- Polly and Henry came in, so sat chatting to Polly for a while, then went for tea- not before Sean and Kiki came in though! Took ages to get served for dinner! After dinner chatted to Mark, Kiki's brother for a bit, he was very upset that I've cut my dreads out- he seems to be the only person! Then Steve- the biology teacher from Sheffield, was chatting to us with Dave his very tall friend...they were both flabbergasted by the fact they were both old enough to be our fathers- Steve almost our Granddad! We were just chatting about how Dave says he wouldn't let his daughters go traveling to Africa! Steve offered us a lift back as his house is down a dirt road opposite the hostel! As we start driving he just so happens to mention how his brakes don't work! His brakes in a two ton land rover don't work?! The car had been a petrol but they changed it too a diesel...now the surbo brakes don't work...so a lot of engine braking! We get to Sundowners and I offer to get him a drink for the lift. We did just want to go to bed but didn't want to be rude...but my god this man can talk for England! 53 year old Biology teacher, he left his Catholic wife due to serious disagreement mainly concerning religion! He then bought us a drink, oh then a black guy offers him to buy us for 25 cows! Either of us he didn't mind...it was a very generous offer mind, much more than the usual payment of brides here! Esssh! Finally about 10:30pm we left...nice guy but Esshh!
18th July
Woken up at 8:50am with a call from the garage guy saying that he was here to take the car!! What?! My god, first Swazi guy to be ahead of time- he was meant to Ring this morning to arrange picking it up! He said he would put the car up for R13,000 and take R1000 for selling it...ok not bad I suppose! Off she goes! Ok gonna go back in Manzini with Lisa, went up to Clicks (boots) and got some mascara and conditioner...Lisa needed to go to the MTN phone shop to try and get the internet working on her phone. The guy at the MTN shop was rather unhelpful and just said the phone was too complicated and he couldn't fix it. Felix (English volunteer) had given her this phone as it was his spare from the UK. So we just head back for the bus, the bad thing about Lisa being with us is that she acts as a translator...we usually can ignore the guys shouting things at us as we don't understand but today she even translated "Ooo look at those thighs!" Eurch! Got back and there wasn't much going on. After a while Sean came in and started shouting at Lisa! Del told Sean that Lisa has been marking all the boys and our drinks at staff rates! Turns out she had made the mistake once on the sheet but market it properly on our bills. Sean had actually caught Del stealing out of the safe, so Del was just trying to shift Sean's anger onto someone else! It sort of worked as Sean shouted at Lisa and threatened her job, but it was Del who lost his job...sort of, he left with Sean and is staying at the farm! Hmmm...Lisa was really upset though as Del had threatened her so much, so she moved all her things into our room! Sean came back and he did speak to her in a more pleasant manner...we sat with Kiki and chatted for a bit. Not much else happened the rest of the day, just gossiped about various things with various people! Got takeaway from Sundowners, watched the movie, Milk with Sean Penn, its about a Gay rights activist in the 70's- it was a brilliant movie! Chatted with Kerry before bed...really want to go to Moz with her on Wed....ahhhh!
19th July
Just had a nice morning, chilled, showered. After waiting for a bus for ages- Sunday Service everywhere, we went to Quatermains and just messed about on the internet for an hour...looking at couch surfers! Mmm nice brownie! Into Pick n Pay- grabbed some things for dinner...then back! Had to get a kombi to Mahlanya, then started to walk towards the hostel, when three Indian guys pulled over to give us a lift. As we got in though he asked if we were going to walk to Sundowners, we replied that we were just walking while waiting, he then had the cheek to say Hmmm well maybe you should have walked! AHHHHH! A fat man, a huge fat guy is telling us we should have walked!! Got back to the hostel and sat with Lisa, she is teaching us Ndebele, a Zimbabwean language! A French guy joins us...although he was really annoying! Nikki made cottage pie but it was a bit too peppered! Told Kerry we are going to go to Moz with her, chatted, listened to some music with Lisa, she came in our room as the two volunteers are stinking the dorm out, horrid stinky boys!
20th July
Oooo buggar slept in 11:30am! Went and sat in the garden with Lisa, wow its already so hot- when Kiki came in. She's really upset as everything is getting on top of her- her dad living with them and constantly being drunk, Del now staying with them...him being lazy, argumentative and just pain nasty is enough to upset anyone! Work is really stressful, she keeps getting crapped on by her boss, their wedding is in October but they haven't arranged anything plus the fact that Sean hasn't even started sorting out the mass amount of paperwork he needs as he isn't Swazi...which could take months to arrange! So she had a bit of a rant and got a bit teary- bless she is so lovely! Then we realized it was only 10am...we had swapped sim cards around last night and we forgot to reset the time! Duh! So after milling about for a little while- chatted with Kerry about Moz, booked into the dorm here instead of the double (R30 a night seems like a big difference now!) then made a start at packing the room up. Lisa joined us, sorting out all of her things...had another bit of a teary conversation as it turns out that when she first started here, Del and her had a bit of a thing...only lasted a week! That's how long it took her to find out he was an arsehole! That kind of puts the puzzle together a bit more as to why he is extra nasty with her! So got things sorted then caught up with typing! All the power went out about 5pm...so we set candles out around the house, typical that just as everything went dark about 15 guests walked in from the Baz Bus! Hectic! Sean popped in and had a quick chat with him and Kerry- really annoyed with him though as he said he would buy our old style green jerry can off us full of petrol might I add- but when the car came back from the garage it wasn't there, ranted about it to Sean and his only comment was ah you cant trust anyone! Then when Nikki was noising round the garage she spied the jerry car hidden behind the drivers' seat in Sean's jeep! Lisa said that the other day Sean asked her to pass it to fill up his bike- but what he said was "pass the Jerry can the girls GAVE me!" Arrggg! But too chicken to confront him about it- cannot be bothered with the confrontation! Went to Sundowners with Kerry...except I wasn't comfy so wiggled on the chair and the leg came apart! Ahhhhh! So lucky I didn't fall, so embarrassing! Not much else happened, managed to get completely caught up with my journal- really excited for Moz!
21st July
Full day of organizing, so up at 7:30am! Showered and out by 9:30am, not too bad! Into Mbabane, which was a little hectic, go to get passport photos done for the visa- particularly horrendous photos I look like some 1989's New Romantic! Polly walks past and we arrange to meet her for coffee later. Back in the car and over to the visa office, just as we are walking inside Nikki comments "We don't need our passports to get this visa do we?" SHIT!!!! How could we be so stupid?! The thought didn't even run through my head about such tings as passports! Oh we are coming to get visas, we might need our passports!! Ok so Kerry hands in her visa application and we go back into Mbabane! I can't get over how unbelievably absent minded we are! Kerry went off to pay for her visa at the bank, while we manage to find all five Harry Potter movies on one DVD and Toustie, a Jo'burg movie about their gangs. So just aimlessly wander about for ages, find two long African style skirts and a bright green top from Jet. Met up with Kerry and Polly but had to dash off again to pick up her visa. We explored the shops again to try and find Kerry some sunglasses, hard work! Then went to pick up Kerry's work visa which has only just been granted and come through after 7 months! Esh people drive like such maniacs here, it really is scary! Then off to Serendipity- a well being centre where Polly and Henry work, sat and had a quick chat (its so hard not to snigger when they are discussing work- they are both Rekki healers, energy channeling to heal etc...which I just cant get my head around!) We all then go to the vets next door, Niels's dog isn't feeling too good (Tokolosh's son) so he has asked Kerry to speak to his vet- he is brilliant! Dr. Spencer is just a sweetheart- obviously an animal fanatic, he barely charges anything, plus Henry is getting a puppy so was discussing injections and everything plus getting it spade or neutered, Dr. Spencer asked him if he could bring in a street dog at the same time as he only really needs one set of things so can get two dogs done for the price of one! Henry then came to Shoprite with us, got some snacks for the trip, Kerry though bless her ended up with a huge trolley full as no real shops near Niels's place! She then dropped us off at House on Fire- she went to pay the rent on her new place. We bought some internet time, but they were making costumes for Bush Fire so helped out with that instead. It was a little awkward as had no idea what we were meant to be doing, so for the first hour just sat trying to make ourselves look busy! Eventually a young girl came over and asked me to help her paint some feathers green for the top of her pineapple costume! Nikki helped with a guy's skeleton costume. We then painted some banners/sashes for some of the girls to wear; the theme is Future, so most of them were doing anti-HIV things like a sash stating Miss Abstinence with a crown! Hmmmm! We finally left about 8pm completely exhausted! Got back and unpacked the car- sorted out all the food which seemed to take forever, Nikki cooked some sausages and eggs so the 3 of us at least ate! Then finished the actual packing- didn't take too long, only taking one backpack with essentials and leaving the rest of our things in Kerry's room. Put our sim in Lisa's phone as it won't work in Moz and if the garage calls she can deal with it! Rang my nana as haven't spoken to her since....well a while! My granddad got pneumonia two weeks ago, thankfully he is on the mend now and back home. Finally got everything sorted, chilled in Kerry's room, helping her pack or rather unpack- far too much stuff! Alarm set for 5am- all set!
