[a temporary lapse in internet]

{i have been out of contact the past couple days (and of all times, the week of thanksgiving) because we have "run out of the internet" for our house. each month, we get 3 gigs of data transfer, like cell phone minutes. its about 100mb a day. i have never had to keep track of how much data i send/receive, and it was easy to tell that because in doing my work around the internet, i blew through the last bit of the month's supply of data in no time at all. i miss the usa.}

. . . .



happy thanksgiving, america.

i was able to assist in the cooking of a "pumpkin pie" here; i leave it in quotations because it was a raw dish that had no pumpkin in it. but somehow, it tasted just like pumpkin pie. i still haven't figured it out, but enjoy trying again and again to solve this mystery. i hope you all enjoyed your pumpkin pie and festive combinations of potatoes, bird, and other american grub. i miss it more than i would have thought.

i made pancakes the day before thanksgiving, which was a good touch-of-home feeling for me. i miss the epic breakfasts that we had at 4704. egg white omelets with spinach, onions, peppers, mushrooms, feta and other cheeses, and pancakes with oats, nuts, fruit, honey, cinnamon, yogurt, and more honey or syrup on top.

. . . .



during my internet escape, i have been able to head down to boulders beach, which my study abroad class visited last time i was here. last time, we were all on the "protected" boardwalk side of the beach, which was just around the corner from a "locals" beach, where i was now. the joke is on all the tourist (us two years ago) that pay to look at the penguins, but could walk around to the beach side and stand or take a swim with them. these photos are from the last time i was here.



i was able to get my feet on some 'cycle' petals on the way there and back, taking turns on bicycle to do legs of the trip. the ride included, in cape fashion, giant hills and some really amazing views. please accept my apologies for not taking any photos as i either flew down ocean-lined-cliffs or huffed up switchbacks working my way back up the backbone-like hills that surround the cape.

. . . .

after being here for two weeks, and in my third week of traveling, i decided it was time to shave. much to my disappointment, and the unknown-to-her celebration from my mother, the only thing i have here is good 'ol shaving cream and a razor. the last time i shaved with a razor was four years ago, in my freshman year of college. i am sure my mother misses those days. and for her birthday, which is on the 4th, a photo of me clean shaven for her. brad, the mustache is for you.




. . . .

on saturday, i had my first official braai (south african barbecue). this entailed watching lots of rugby with beer, eating lots of good food, walking down to the beach with a glass of wine, and trying to make sure none of the seemly hundreds of kids got seriously hurt. american football and rugby are not all too different, but the largest difference was that the rugby game was effectively commercial free. why are american sports so designed for commercial breaks? south africa lost (apparently really bad strategy trying to overcompensate for the weather), but the next match between australia and whales was a good match to see. the mothers of the party all went skinny dipping, but i refused to go with them. the girls i ended up chatting the night away with (they were from grande comore) said it best: "these people are crazy".

. . . .

before the braai, we went to an art club that rachel, my host "mother", was part of for her fieldwork on childhood in south africa. while i was there, i felt inspired by my ceramic friends before me, and attempted to make my own coffee mug. it isn't quite as large as i was hoping, but i figure that won't be a bad thing since i will be traveling a long way with it. next week i should be able to glaze it and have it in another month- i can't wait to have a hand-made mug again, and this one is certain to have lots of 'character'.




this image is used for this week's wallpaper.


(standard | widescreen).

and i realized that i forgot to include a link to last week's wallpaper last time i blogged


(standard | widescreen).

. . . .

i feel like i have adapted to living in this house:
i am used to a blinding period of the day when the sun reflects off the atlantic ocean and back into the house, making it almost impossible to look west from six to eight every night (i will photo this soon).
i am use to waking up early to the sounds of children, always thinking about when i can work based on if they are in the house, and knowing that everything in the world takes longer to do when you have children.
i am use to the girls singing a lot of christmas carols (my alarm clock) and making christmas cards, and have found myself getting into the holiday spirit.
i am use to thinking about getting a sunburn and wearing shorts, t-shirts, and sandals everywhere while still thinking about christmas.
i am used to the amazing night skies and the large moon the past couple nights.



but i am still in wonder of it all. south africa constantly amazes me.

. . . .

for anyone wishing to post me something in time for christmas, my address will be
5 Bokkemanskloof road, Hout Bay, 7806 RSA

i would suggest sending soon, as the post will take a long time to get here, especially with the holidays. and i will only be there until january 30th, for the next day, we set off on the road to the garden route.

. . . .

tomorrow should be really exciting- i am going out with one of the neighbors, that works as a professional rock climbing route guide, to trad climb table mountain. i will certainly be bringing my camera, as i feel i have not photographed enough of my trip already.

i hope all is well, to everyone in the states or otherwise.
and again, happy birthday, mom.

cheers to sunny weather without too much wind tomorrow,

tbk