The 2nd Highest Waterfall in the World is Actually Photo-Shopped

In April, I went on my first hike in the Drakensburg Mountains.  We chose the Tugela Gorge Hike, hoping to see the famous Amphitheatre and the 2^nd highest waterfall in the world, Tugela Falls (nearly 1000 m high).  My companions and I pushed on, always keeping an eye on the Amphitheatre, waiting and waiting to see the waterfall.  Finally, we discouragingly had to admit to ourselves that Tugela Falls was dry and no matter how close we got, we would not be seeing the falls that day.  In May, we returned to the Drakensburgs to camp.  Going on a different hike, we climbed the summit a valley over from Tugela Gorge. Still no falls.  Last month, we drove around to the back side of the Amphitheatre, where you can hike to the top of the falls.  As we were approaching, the weather took a turn for the worse and we were forced to turn around. Foiled, yet again.  This weekend we went on another camping trip, optimistic that the falls would be full with snow melt and recent rains.  We set out on the familiar Gorge Hike. We hiked to the look-out point and looked into billowy low-hanging clouds that covered the Amphitheatre…and Tugela Falls.  With four attempts and no sightings, I have to conclude that Tugela Falls doesn’t exist; the 2^nd highest waterfall in the world is actually photo-shopped.

Little Tidbits of Impilo Yami (My Life)

1.       It might be the village boredom that’s getting to me. Or, I may be catching on to the South African view on hairdos, changing weaves and styles every couple of weeks. Whatever the reason, I have had three dramatically different hair styles in my 9 months in South Africa. I started with my long brown hair (as you all fondly remember me), switched to dreadlocks (where I was highly regarded as-mah rasta ladayyy), and then chopped off the locks to experience a life with short hair.  Unfortunately, there aren’t many changes I can make from here so I guess I’ll have to find new ways to release the boredom and my need to assimilate to the local culture by constantly changing styles.  Let me just say, in terms of bucket bathing, short hair is a whole new and glorious world.

2.       Yesterday, a child pet me like an animal. He came up to me and started scratching underneath my chin while saying, “muhle, muhle” (pretty, pretty). At least he thought I was a cute animal to play with.

3.       I went for a long run (around 6 miles) and was impressively accompanied by four village kids.  Three ran without shoes, one ran with knock-off crocs that were falling apart.  At the end of the run, the kids ran off towards home with pep in their step while I dragged myself home tiredly.  To top it off, I got a huge blister with my fancy running shoes.  I must conclude that I (and probably most Americans) am a diva.

4.       In the Zulu culture, people are given names with meanings that the family deem important. Some of these names, in my opinion, are quite comical.  You have: Sanele (enough), Zama (trying), Ayanda (increasing/multiplying), etc.  While doing an after school help session with Grade 11, they asked me what “Norah” meant.  I explained that it was just a name and that usually English names don’t have meanings like Zulu names.  I used my name as an example, “Kristen Clauss”. Kristen means nothing; Clauss means nothing.  They struggled to pronounce Clauss and I told them it is originally German. Then, they asked me if I knew Adolf Hitler and was around during the war.

5.       I just got a cat to protect me and my produce against the rats.  Well, I didn’t really get a cat…I’m long-term leasing him from my host family.  Since my host family just calls him “Pussy”, I decided it was my duty to name him.  I’m in the process of trying out names but am leaning toward Man Cub (inspired by the Jungle Book).  Name suggestions are welcome! As most of you know, I’m not much of a cat person and this cat has been a learning experience.  When he looks at me and keeps meowing, I just don’t know what to do.  People have reassured me that all he wants is a nice ear scratch. Now, Man Cub just can’t get enough. I can’t walk anywhere without him rubbing against my legs and I can’t do a crossword puzzle without him trying to nuzzle me with his head. I’m going to have to get used to all of this lovin.

6.       I’ve been working on my organization’s website. Check it out—www.ourhope.org.za.

That’s all for now! Miss you all.

Africa Unity Cup-Special Olympics

This past week, I had the pleasure of staying in the Royal Bafokeng Nation to volunteer for Special Olympics South Africa.  First, let me say that the Bafokeng king knows what’s up.  The area gets its money from mines and rather than hoard all of the money (like oh so many powerful South African figures tend to do), the king has invested the money in the community. He has supported sports by creating one of the World Cup 2010 stadiums, bringing in an NBA program, and supporting local sports.  He has also helped to create the amazing school (elementary-high school) where the games were held. This school rivals some small American universities.

Peace Corps has a program for “response volunteers”.  These are volunteers that already have served for two years but decide to apply for a shorter, more specific position elsewhere.  One of the SA response volunteers has been working with Special Olympics all year to help create youth programs and to plan the Youth Summit that was held during the cup.  I had the pleasure of getting to help out with the Youth Summit.  Around 200 kids were chosen to attend (with representatives from Kenya and Namibia).  They came in partners-one kid with a mental disability and one without.  The whole premise of the event was to stop the stigma against disabilities and to treat all people as equal. They dubbed it “the dignity revolution”.  Nobody has disabilities; we all just have different abilities…so people have “diffabilities”.  The Summit was mostly youth led.  With our help, the youth leaders planned discussions and activities for the group.  They talked about their experiences, what they have learned, and what they will do to change perceptions in their communities.  Each group made an action plan for an event or club they could start.  As chaotic as the event may have been, being a part of the kid’s experience was very rewarding.

On another note, the Special Olympics were so happy to team up with Peace Corps that they treated us real nice.  They held a lunch to thank us at a 5 star hotel and insisted that us poor village folk get seconds and take home left overs.  We also attended a wonderful dinner with a local dance group.  We were invited to the VIP events-meeting some incredible “celebs”.  We got to meet the king, queen mother, SA ambassador, consul general, Tim Shriver (CEO Special Olympics), Dikembe Mutombo (former Houston Rocket), and many more.

All in all, I’d say it’s a week to remember!

Check it out--
http://www.peacecorps.gov/resources/media/press/2127/