Schools talks, exhibits and ships!

This week has been very exciting and full of new experiences. The first of which was Joe becoming a guest speaker at our friend Katherine's grade 6 class. Cathrine, whom we met round about through one of the Rotary clubs, told us how her class is reading "Indian in the Cupboard". I suggested to Joe how nice it would be for him to speak to her class because her partner and her have been such good friends here since we've met them.


Joe finally agreed and Friday 30 July, 2011 we attended school with Cathrine. The kids were so excited to meet a real "Red Indian." Through Catherine's prior inquiries Joe taught her that the more appropriate term was "First Nations" and she did her best to disperse the knowledge to her students. However some of the kids reverted back to "Red Indian".

Catherine and Joe laughing before the talk.

We spent about 40 minutes with Katherine's class and another 40 minutes with the 3 other grade sixes in the library. All were attentive and asked great questions. Joe joked with them and he was quite impressed that they caught on to his humor. Upon leaving Joe was beaming from ear to ear. He really enjoyed sharing with the youngsters and seeing their eagerness to ask him things.

After Joe's talk we went for breakfast, headed to the Bluff Foto Center to pick up the photos for the Harding show then drove back to Harding (2 hour drive). We spent the night at my uncle B's house and cooked Lasagna for them. His wife, Auntie L, made 2 cakes for the Harding show at the AFM church. I was stressing though because I heard two funerals were taking place the same day and worried that no one would show up.

The next morning (Saturday) we printed all the descriptions, bought tea and coffee, and pinned up all the photos. Unfortunately my worst thoughts came true. Only about 20 people came to the show. Of the eight student photographers that we worked with only three came. :(

Despite the low turn out we did get two Rotary members from the Hibiscus Coast Club (about an hour away and the closest club to Harding) along with the mayor and her daughter!

Rotarian Tony and Mayor Nciki

Mayor Nciki enjoying the Harding kids photos.

The following day (Sunday) Joe and I rushed down to Durban to prepare for the Durban show. We picked up the final 4 photos from the shop 5 minutes before they closed and rushed our way to the gallery to drop off the Harding photos so that everything could be hung. We stayed with Catherine and Billy and made them pizza from scratch. We put a touch of South Africa on it in the form of biltong (beef jerky). It ended up being DELICIOUS.

Monday Joe and I ran some errands around Durban, then got ready for the evening opening at the Collective. It turned out to be a really nice event. The turn out wasn't fantastic but it was a better reception than the previous event.

Interested viewers.

Billy and Catherine immersed in the images.

Music from the opening.

This coming Saturday we have what is called a "walk-about" where some of the kids that partook in the project will be there along with the Rotary people we have invited. I am hoping for a good turn out.