Here's some pics of South Africa so far! Enjoy:)
Some Zulu drummers
Me enjoying the sunshine!
The beautiful City of Durban
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Photos
Medical Adventures Around the World!
Ok. In a country where HIV/AIDS is a PANDEMIC... you would think all the doctors and nurses would wear gloves. So I had to get a blood test the other evening ( For those who don't know, I have hypocalcemia and so I have to get things checked out once in awhile). So... this person was trying to take my blood. ( For those who also don't know, I have the worse veins known to man) it took her 4 pokes- and she didn't get any blood out. ( Yeeeooww!!) So the doctor comes in. No gloves, nothing. Takes a fairly large needle- and sticks it in my hand. ( no warning I might add) I quickly yelp in pain, and pray for the moment to be over. Well- so he takes the needle out, and I feel them wiping my hand. I look down and there is blood that was spurting from my vein. Nice. All over the doctors hand. Nice. Once again... I do say.
In a country where HIV/AIDS is a PANDEMIC!!!!!!.... you would think all the doctors and nurses would wear gloves. ESPECIALLY when dealing with needles and blood. To all the labs in Canada... I forever appreciate your cleanliness, caution and rules.
Thank you Canadian labs and medical system. Thank you.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sawubona! ( hello)
Sawubona my friends! Well I’m officially starting my third week in South Africa. Week one was basically adjusting to S.A time. And let me tell you.. I’ll never be getting up with the sunrise (which is around 5am) as the locals do. ( this also means South Africans call it a day around 8pm. ) Week two was spent getting into my daily routine- which consists of going to the Seed of Hope Centre during most days. The pace of life here is definitely different for this Canadian girl. But I so love it.
I’m staying in a place called Amanzimtoti… located in the KwaZulu-Natal province on the east coast of S.A…about 15-20 min from the major city of Durban ( about 4 million people) Toti is kinda like a suburb of Durban…. With quite a few townships surrounding the main area. I’m living about a 10 minute drive from the beach, which is the waters of the warm Indian Ocean. ( temperature hovers between 20 – 24 degress Celsius year round☺ ) And though the constant breeze makes high waves and strong currents… it's still nice to enjoy a dip and swim ever now and then… even in the shark infested waters!
Last week I taught my first class @ the Seed of Hope’s After-School programs. ( for 11-15 year olds) we looked at different careers available in the world. Let me tell you how much teaching/classroom skills are a bit rusty. You would think, that with all the teacher friends I have back home- I’d be a bit better. Alas… made it through and am ready to face the class again this week.For those of you wondering what the Seed of Hope is… I will get into it in more detail in later posts, but for now, please check out their website at www.theseedofhope.org
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