I'm driving!

I've been around Mamelodi and to the supermarket in Silverton. With passengers to navigate because the whole left-hand shifting, left-lane driving requires concentration. The "taxi" drivers are crazy...any vehicle can be a taxi and any taxi can stop at anytime. Harrowing - at 30 mph.

The Powerhouse is growing.

katie's mamelodi pics54, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

On the right, the church and computer lab. On the left future offices and a kitchen.

My empty classroom.

Powerhouse Class 3, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Also happens to be the inside of the church.

Setting up email addresses.

katie's mamelodi pics31, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Checking out Tyra Banks' website.

katie's mamelodi pics35, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Students in the Computer Lab.

Powerhouse Class 2, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Handpainted signs are everywhere.

nelmapius hair salon, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

I love them. Most are accompanied by pictures. Hopefully, I'll get some better photos of these before I leave. When I sort out my camera situation.

Still eating...

sphatlo 2, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Sphatlo.

sphatlo, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

When in Rome...

Sphatlo contains:

One very long vienna sausage. One fried egg. Polony, sliced (this is like bologna). Cheese (but I couldn't taste it). French Fries. Mango Chutney. Special Sauce.

Finished this yesterday.

cry the beloved country, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Never read it in school.

Corner Shop

Mamelodi 3, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

mamelodi fruit stand

mamelodi fruit stand, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

This street is lined with shops - fruit stands, a tailor, a barber, snack shops, all kind of things. It's about two blocks from where I'm staying for the month.

Welcome to Mamelodi

Welcome to Mamelodi, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

We're working on the Progress & Prosperity.

My camera is blind.

I turn it on and just get a white screen. I can view the pictures I've already taken, but I can't take any new pictures. It just saves the white screen. I'm not happy about this.

We are connected.

We bought a router and were able to network four PCs to the wireless modem. So far so good. This means only three or four students have to share one computer...very exciting stuff. AND everyone in my class has an email address. The thrill of email. It's real.

It snows in South Africa. Did you know?

In Jo'burg before I arrived and down in the Cape today. It's not too cold though here in the Pretoria area. Only at night and in the early morning.

It's starting to feel like I've been away for awhile.

Maybe it's because it I'm in one place. Maybe it's because I'm nearing the two-month mark. And there are still four-and-a-half more to go.

Mamelodia Bridal Show - Model #3.

bridal show 2, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Mamelodia Bridal Show - Model #2.

bridal show 3, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Mamelodi Bridal Show - Model #1

bridal show 1, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Thought you all might like to see a few pictures from the event last Saturday.

Excuses.

Planned to post some photos today of Mamelodi but arrived at the internet cafe without the cable I need to upload pictures from my camera. Oops.

I gave my first quiz today. Would you pass?

Introduction to the Internet
Quiz 1

Fill in the blanks using the words provided below.

Attachment
Header
Website
Web Pages
Email
Extension
Transfers
User Name
Collects
Network

The internet is a (1)______________ of networks.

A (2)______________ is a collection of web pages devoted to a single subject or organization.

A web browser is a program that displays (3)______________ and allows you to follow hyperlinks.

A web server is a program on a computer that hosts websites so anyone can view them. It also (4)______________ and (5)______________ information.

An email client is a program used to read and send (6)______________.

The four parts of an email address are: (7)______________ , @ , domain name and (8) ______________.

The (9)______________ of an email contains the following fields: To, From, CC, BCC, and Subject. The body of an email contains the actual message.

An (10)______________ is a file that is sent along with an email message.

Our internet capabilities.

We've been using a wireless modem to connect to the internet. It works really well when we have a good signal. Today, we bought a router so I should be able to get four computers online tomorrow for the class. For the last few days we've been huddling around one screen. Not ideal, but better than nothing, right?

Yebo, ngi funda isi Zulu.

South Africa has eleven official languages (did I already tell you this?):



Sotho

Zulu

Tsonga

Xhosa

Ndebele

Tswana

Sepedi

Venda

Swathi

Afrikaans

English



Sotho, Zulu, and Tsonga are the most used of the tribal languages. English is everywhere.

Photos tomorrow. Perhaps.

Uploading and downloading is expensive here in SA so I'll wait until I can get back to the internet cafe to add a few pictures to the blog.

Mamelodi Bridal Show.

Today, I helped out at the first ever Mamelodi Bridal Show. Those of you who know me well, know how I feel about the wedding industry in the U.S. Yeah, I'm kind of a grinch about it. But, being here in Mamelodi puts a whole new perspective on things. As I've been informed, funerals are an incredibly big deal here. In a lifetime, the funeral is the main event, not births, weddings, anniversaries, graduations or anything else you can think of that we celebrate. It's all about the funerals (and there are enough ads for funeral policies to prove it). And considering the AIDS situation in SA people are always attending funerals. Always. The government has banned funerals on weekdays because no one could work - they would constantly attend and prepare for funerals.

So, the bridal show was planned to help develop a new culture where people think about celebrating life instead of death. An American couple who have been here in Mamelodi for six months planned it with the community. The event, and the preparation for it, also helped to promote small businesses in Mamelodi - caterers, dress rental, jewelery, hair and make-up artists, etc.

The event was definitely a success - everyone is already talking about planning the next one.

The situation in Zim.

Everybody is talking about it and everbody is worried about it.

We're eating. A lot.

Last night we had a braai (I think that's the right way to put it) that included chicken legs and boerewors. Braai = charcoal grill. Boerewors = farmer's sausage. Naturally, we had pap as well. I have been warned I may gain many kilos eating the South African diet.

Friday is a day off.

We've changed the schedule so I'll be teaching four days a week and possibly will add one longer Saturday class for the people who are working during the week. I'm teaching adults of all ages, not kids, at a community center that is part of a church here in Mamelodi. I'm glad to have the weekend to do some more planning - and to have the suggestions from the experts- thank you!

About photos.

Ok. I will try to get some photos online for you but the truth is I haven't taken any. I will, but frankly, it's not the best idea for me to walk around snapping photos left and right. I didn't take any in Jo'burg either. That said, I will try to take some pictures of the township, the computer lab and will ask if any of my students want to be featured on my blog. Which they don't know about yet!

Headlines: Happy Birthday Madiba

Today is Nelson Mandela's birthday. He is 89 years old. The whole country is celebrating.

Pap and Runaways.

Had my first taste of pap (sounds like pop) today. Pap is a staple. It's just like polenta, but a bit more stiff, so you can eat it with your fingers if you like. We had chicken, runaways, and cabbage. Runaways are chicken feet (nails and all) which I declined today, but perhaps will try another day... Perhaps.

Class #1

Thirty-six students showed up this morning at 9 a.m. for the class. Thirty-six! So, we're splitting this into two classes and I'll teach from 8 - 10 and 10:30 - 12:30. The internet is something everyone in the class has heard of but no one has actually used. Hard to imagine, right?

This afternoon, I'm making up a syllabus to help me get organized. I'll have to create an exam so the students can earn a certificate for completing the course. Today, we just talked and I used a whiteboard to demonstrate a few things. Tomorrow, we'll get at least one computer online and hopefully we'll get a router so we can network a few more.

Mamelodi.

I've arrived in Mamelodi (a township just outside Pretoria) for my month of teaching. The family I'm staying with is fantastic. I feel very welcome here.

Tomorrow I teach my first class - "Introduction to the Internet." I hope I am qualified to do this. I'll have ten students, one computer with internet access and two hours everyday Monday through Friday to cover email, googling, and job hunting among other things.

Teacher friends - send me advice. And everybody please wish me luck - I'm nervous!!

Back with you tomorrow or the next day.

Leaving Jo'burg tomorrow but I'm not sure when I'll be back online. Thank you for all the emails and comments!

This is god's window.

god's window, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Unfortunately, it looks out mainly on pine and eucalyptus plantations as far as the eye can see. The indigenous forest was wiped out a long time ago by the timber industry.

Things you can't do at the potholes.

nothing is allowed here, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Bourke's Luck Potholes

potholes 2, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Small rocks battered cylindrical potholes here where two rivers converge near Blyde's River Canyon.

Three Rondavels

three rondavels, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Rondavel = typical africa hut (round with thatched roof, i think).

What we saw in the Kruger Park. Just about.

1. Impala
2. Hippos
3. Wildebeest
4. Monkeys
5. Baboons
6. Elephants
7. Zebras
8. Giraffe
9. Springbok
10. White rhinos
11. Warthogs
12. Common Duiker
13. Reedsbuck
14. Bushbuck
15. Waterbuck
16. Klipspringer
17. Buffalo
19. Crocodile
20. Lions
21. Genet
22. Kudu

Birds (I can only remember a few)
23. Hornbill
24. Fish eagle
25. Bee-eaters
26. Rollers
27. Egrets
28. Heron
29. Shrike
30. Burchell's starling
31. Kingfisher

Switching seasons overnight.

I wasn't surprised by the temperature change (even though I wasn't prepared for it) but I didn't even consider that the days would be so short. The sun rises at 6 a.m. and sets at 6 p.m. I've been seeing both for the last few days.

The Southern Sky.

This is my very first time in the Southern Hemisphere and the sky is nothing like the northern sky. Some of the guides at the safari camp pointed out the following to me: the Southern Cross, Alpha and Beta Centauri, Jupiter, Venus, and Scorpio. Oh - and the Milky Way, too! If I get lost in the bush I can find north using geometry the southern cross and alpha and beta centauri. Now, no worries.

Lonely Rhino.

white rhino 3, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

We saw quite a few by an artificial water hole though. The park people had to create new water holes since the animals no longer had complete freedom to migrate wherever they liked. However, in some cases they discouraged migration so they've removed some, too. Conservation is complicated business.

More pictures after lunch.

A few more photos to upload and post this afternoon. If you want to see more right now, click on one of these photos and you should go directly to my flickr page.

Herd of Buffalo in the distance.

herd of buffalo, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

The rhythm of the ostrich.

ostrich 2, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

I could not figure it out. The head and neck seem to be independent of the body. Apparently, you can ride an ostrich somewhere nearby and experience a rodeo-style bucking. Not interested for obvious reasons.

At the water hole.

elephants at the water hole, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

We were this close.

elephant from the land rover, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

The Elephants were en route to the water hole. Winter is a good time to visit the park because water is somewhat scare so the animals congregate around the water holes more often. They queue up based on dominance so we sat and watched the elephants drink while the zebras and wildebeest waited. The elephant sucks about 20 liters of water into its trunk then drinks from it.

Finally, he stood up to check us out.

young lion, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

All at once in the open savannah...

elephants and lion open savannah, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Three elephants, a pride of lions (two female and two male), and a mixed herd of wildebeest and zebra.

Hippos in the river.

hippos, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

A bee-eater (if I remember correctly).

bee-eater, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

We saw five or six of these guys together.

giraffe 1, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Zebra and Impala.

kruger zebra and impala, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

One of our first sightings after a very slow morning.

That's the tail of a genet.

kruger genet, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Spotted on our first night drive.

Waiting outside the tent for Elephants, Leopards, Lions and Rhinos.

kruger camp 2, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Arrival at the camp. We're in the bush!

kruger camp 1, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Luxury camping = cots with duvets in tents, hot showers anytime. Still freezing in the night! Surrounded by massive electric fence to keep the creatures out (and the humans in).

The group.

Our guide - Melusa from SA
Melanie - 18 from Austria
Daniella - 20 from Ecuador
Euy-Chun - 24 from Korea
Yutaka - 33 from Japan
Trafford - 21 from Australia
Emma - 28 from Wales

Warning - I am not a professional wildlife photographer.

Nor do I have the proper equipment. My camera has optical and digital zoom. Unfortunately, the digital zoom isn't great so that explains the blurriness of the some of the pictures. If you decide to go on safari bring your SLR and telephoto lenses. I couldn't be bothered carrying and worrying about all of those things for six months.

I'm back in Jo'burg!

Nobody calls it Johannesburg. The Kruger Park was absolutely incredible. I loved every minute. Everyone I've met in South Africa has been welcoming and warm. Pictures of creatures are on the way!

I have arrived.

Had a long night of travel but am currently recovering in a Jo'burg suburb full of cafes and used bookstores. The weather is awesome. Tomorrow, I'm up at 4:30 a.m. for the safari departure. I will try to write more later for now need to get organized.

AFRICA.

I will be traveling for a bit...arriving in Dubai in the middle of the night then Johannesburg around noon. Africa!

Hoşça kalın İstanbul.

I'll come back. No doubt about it.

Topkapı and fishing on the Golden Horn.

across the golden horn, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Ayasofya and Blue Mosque, too. Prior to my arrival in Istanbul I always thought the Golden Horn referred to a piece of land not a body of water. Oops.

Interior.

istanbul modern books, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

I got yelled at for this one.

Spent a few hours here the other day.

istanbul modern, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Small but well-organized collection of Turkish modern art. Loved a few pieces. Great set up in an old warehouse (of course) on the Bosphorus.

A few final pictures from Istanbul.

I'm leaving Istanbul in a few hours. Need to get out of this internet cafe. But a few more pictures before I go...

Moved on to this...

birds wings, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

For the very long plane rides I have tomorrow!

Finished this last week...

my name is red, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Some people hate this book. I liked it. And I got to see where the miniaturists worked back in the day of the Sultans AND the palace that is the setting for an important scene. I won't say anything else as you may be reading it right now (Alysson)!

One of the ways to get around Istanbul...

tram, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Yes, I pass for Turkish, too.

The other day someone even said I look more Turkish than my Turkish friend. Eh?

Atatürk and other names.

I didn't know much about Kemal Atatürk before I arrived in Turkey and I certainly need to learn more but I had no idea how important he is to the Turkish people. First of all, his image is everywhere. EVERYWHERE. Every shop has a framed picture or poster of him in it. Every town has a least one statue. At least.

Atatürk founded modern Turkey after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. He created the secular state. He transformed the Turkish written language from an arabic-based alphabet to a latin one. And he told everyone they had to have two names instead of one. He gave himself a name that means "Father of the Türks." And everyone else made one up.

So, for example, my friend Melike. Translated her full name is Queen Unsuitable. I'm not making this up. And Emre, a guy that owns an art gallery near the hostel, his last name is Potable Water. Seriously.

Relax - Mika

The most played song in Istanbul.

I want to buy everything in İstanbul.

I don't consider myself much of a shopper but I could send home crates of stuff from İstanbul. Maybe living out of a backpack with only a few t-shirts and two pairs of pants does this to you.

Love these tiles.

iznik tile, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Topkapı tıles.

topkapi 1, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

I'm definitely redecorating Ottoman-style when I return.

Have I mentioned that I really love İstanbul?

I do. It's a good thing I already have a plane ticket out of here.

Speaking Turkish. Neden Olmasın?

Here's what I can say:

Hello.
Good-bye (two versions if I'm leaving or they are).
How are you? I'm fine.
My name is Katie.
Nice to meet you.
I'm American.
How much?
Yes. No. Please. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thanks.
It doesn't matter.
I'm sorry.
Excuse me.
12345678910
Very beautiful.
Terrible.
Delicious.
Why not?
Cheers!
No, thanks. I'm Turkish (I've been practicing for the Grand Bazaar).

At the top!

galata tower 4, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Over my right shoulder (to the left) is Topkapı Palace. To the right is Ayasofya and a bit farther the Blue Mosque.

At the bottom...

galata tower 3, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Foreigners pay 10 Lira...Turkish people only 5 Lira. Melike argued but we lost the battle.

Galata Tower

beyoğlu galata tower, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

The Golden Horn, Karakoy and Galata Tower.

Turkish Delight

turkish delight, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Baklava...evet, lütfen!

baklava, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Turkish lessons.

melike and paul, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Tuesday night, Melike, Paul and I attempted to see Blonde Redhead outside at the İstanbul Modern. It was sold out, so instead we sat down at one of the nargile cafes on the other side of the musuem and listened for free. Melike is offering to help Paul with his homework.

Confession.

I went to Starbucks the other day. And I liked it.

Gay Rights March. Surprised? Me, too.

istanbul rights march, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Paul and I witnessed this yesterday right here on the main drag of modern İstanbul - Istiklal Caddesi.

Sara and Derek driving me all around Göreme.

sara and derek, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.

Camel.

cappadoccia 3, originally uploaded by kkqc8135.