The Journey Inward

Friday night was our staff party at our principal‘s house not far from school. He lives on a game reserve and has beautiful views of it from his balconies and upstairs. It was a western theme, complete with a mechanical bull. It was such a fun night, getting to talk to colleagues and enjoying the excellent food.

The gardens were my favorite part!

I sat down with a fifth grade teacher and met her husband, who I found out works at the Embassy here in South Africa. Just the other day my brother sent an email to both me and a friend of his who we worked with at the State Department in DC. He was the one who had gotten my brother into guitar. Anyway, this man is now working right here in Pretoria. We made plans to connect in January when I return from the U. S.

I asked the husband if he knew my brother’s colleague and it turns out they work together! Small world! When he was asking about how I ended up here and I told him my story, I told him about meeting my mentor at my brother‘s going away party and he knows him, as well!

He said my story was starting to sound familiar. He asked who my brother was, and when I told him, it turns out that they know each other, too! Then he put it all together and said that the head of schools here told him that he was bringing me over. Again, small world!!

What I loved most about the night was the dancing. They were traditional South African dances, as well as the electric slide and Country line dancing. One woman kept pulling me in and teaching me all the dances! I’m not much of a dancer, but I loved it! My principal is actually a very good dancer and singer!

After my teammate left, I wandered back up to the mechanical bull to talk to some of the teachers up there. They asked if I’ve been on yet and I said no, and that I wasn’t intending to. They had all tried it except for one who was scared to. She said let’s both try. I only had one drink, so I had my wits about me, but was a little loosened up! They were all coaching me and giving me tips as I got up there. It was hard, but very fun! You definitely also have to make sure that you fall carefully when you realize you’re going down!

I was so excited to sleep in Saturday morning. The little pups next-door weren’t yapping as usual, but instead I came slowly awake to a rhythmic chopping sound. I finally got up and looked out my window, only to see the Gardner up on the wall between my house and the neighbors’, trimming their tree. A good chunk of the leaves fell onto my yard!

Saturday brought the latest installment of Saturdays with Sue! She picked me up at 10:30 and we went out to the Bus Stop 7 Market. It was small, but good. We stopped at a few stalls, but then went and got coffee/tea and listened to live music. Sue and I have so much in common, and tea and live music are two of those.

And then he played this one for Sue! I’d asked her for her favorite song, but she couldn’t think of one.

We went to lunch and did some errands after.

Later that night, I was able to get audio of the hadidas, but I couldn’t capture them on video. These were the birds that I was convinced were pterodactyls flying over my house the first few days! This audio does not do justice to how loud they are!

Today was super productive! I slept in a bit and then headed out for grocery shopping and Christmas shopping. I do not like doing either of those things at home, but I absolutely adore it here. There aren’t many stores where you can do all of your shopping in one place, like a Marshalls or a Walmart, so it’s lots of little stores that you go in and out of and I’ve gotten to know the shopkeepers in some of them. My favorite barista was on duty at Woolys, so I got my dirty chai latte! I love to listen to the radio as I buzz around. I listen to Jacaranda radio. It’s not really the music I care about, I love to hear the hosts talking with one another. You find out a lot about the culture that way! I also get little news tidbits, as well. I don’t feel like I’ve listened to the radio in about a decade!

I found a nursery that’s way cheaper than the one I go to close to my house. I bought some new plants and have arranged for the gardener to water while I’m away and for my neighbor to water my house plants

I stopped at the gym on my way back and did the booty room, which I haven’t done since first joining! It’s going to be a sore start to the week!!

I was planning on going for a hike at one of the forts, but as I was putting everything away, a massive thunderstorm rolled in quickly. I got to talk to Gab and then I settled for a walk after dinner while I talked to MJ. I’m about to make a cup of tea and hop online for my Pod Squad Zoom call! Miss my ladies!!!