Since we’ve been back to the States we have been doing quite a few things. We arrived in NYC August 24th. A friend of ours picked up all our luggage before returning back to work. This enabled us to take the subway to visit some places I had been promising to show Joe.
One of the first places we went to was the north side of Central Park, then to my old elementary school: Cathedral School of St. John the Divine. Having gone to the school for almost 8 years I remembered the back entrance to the Cathedral so we got to take a quick personal tour.
Since we had been waiting around an airport for about four hours and then having just got off a 19 or so plane ride we were starving so after walking around the school grounds and checking out some of the sculptures and gardens we walked down a few blocks to 106th street and Amsterdam Avenue to Awash Ethiopian restaurant, one of my favorites when I lived in the area. Apparently it had grown in its popularity with many of the Columbia students because the place was jam packed.
From there we walked through Harlem to 125th Street to catch the upstate train to our friend’s house. I noted how much the area had changed. After all the traveling we got to the house at midnight. We fell right asleep.
We stayed in the city a few days visiting friends and then made our way to Niagara Falls. Since we have been here we have been going to Skaru:re’ language class every Monday and Thursday and beading class which started this past Tuesday! Plus Joe has been doing some work with the nation on Beaver Island which is near Grand Island about 30 minutes from Niagara Falls and the reservation.
One of his assignments is to monitor an archaeological site. Last Friday we met with the head of the project so he could walk us through the site. This past Wednesday I was able participate in the dig. It was my first time actually working on a site as opposed to just reading about one. The work is tedious, consisting of taking measurements, filling out forms, carefully lifting off layers of earth with a small trowel, picking out any traces of artifacts or animal remains then documenting them and placing them into a bag. The items found have been mostly bitage in the form of Onondaga chert flakes from the manufacture of arrow heads. Afterwards, the remaining soil is placed into a bucket and sifted through to gather any missed objects. The sequence goes on all day and will continue for another two months. Hopefully something significant will be found.

Photo exhibits

Disclaimer: Hi everyone, things have been a bit hectic as Joe and I came back to the State's last month and then had to take care of tons of things before and after the trip. I just wanted to share the last highlight of our trip with you all before going into our new adventures.

This entry is from August 6th, 2011 by Joe.

Today has made my trip to South Africa. Today was especially significant, because of what transpired this afternoon. Actually, I haven’t seen my wife this happy in a few weeks. I feel that her recent stress has revolved around the upcoming photo gallery exhibition with her participants and the significance of her activities with the youngsters.

The turnout at the Madiba’s Babies PEP exhibition was more than I expected and the reception from those who attended responded very well to the photos. As the day progressed I noticed the satisfaction of her work on this often difficult project. However, my day wasn’t so much focused on Fileve’s happiness, but also what Tatum and Natasha thought of this whole affair. They loved it. Both of them had smiles all afternoon. They did an awesome job talking to the attendees, the writers from the Gandhian, a South African magazine.

Back to Fi.

After the show we took the ladies to lunch. While we were there a new friend of ours from KwaMuhle museum found us and exulted the work. All he could say was "There's a book in this!" I think the girls liked that. Anyone, reading this who is interested in helping us produce a book please contact me!

Anyway, leaving South Africa was tough but we got to say good-bye to the majority of friends and family. It really hit me when I was sitting on the phone and had to turn off my phone. At that moment the tears came flowing. The plane was jam packed with American holiday makers and a few looked at me in wonder as if to say "She was just here on vacation, what is she crying for?" Well I really don't know what they were thinking but Joe comforted me as best he could.

Local tourism - off the beaten track…

Tuesday, August 2^nd, we left our friend’s house and headed North to the latest tourist attraction; The Phoenix. The ship had crashed on South Africa’s rocky coast just North of Durban near a beach called Shaka’s Rock, but more precisely Sheffield beach.

It was about a 40 minute drive and one toll costing Rand 7 to reach the area. There were police at the final turn off down the hill to the ship telling people to stop their cars. The ubiquitious car guards showed up and we left our vehicle for the trek to the ship. Passed the high price mansions in the areas surrounded by fences we got our first glimpse of the ship.

The crew were on their way from west Africa to India to scrap the vessel. Unfortunately, because of previous engine failures the ship made its final mistake. Since its crash, July 26^th, thousands of people had come to see the ship. When I saw it on the news the reported told viewers how the authorities were urging people to stay away from the scene.

Despite their plea more and more people kept coming, us included! When we got to the bottom there were various individuals, families, and couples with their cameras, binoculars, and selves observing the site. As of today the ship cannot move and has to be taken apart bit by bit.

For more information please click here &l

After taking some photos and taking in the ocean we drove down to Harding to do some more interviews.

Today is Thursday. There was nothing planned so we decided to go to Matatiel (Matat) to grab some special Basotho blankets as souvenirs. When returning to Harding we passed through Kokstad which was founded by Adam Kok III– a Griqua man. We admired the churches on previous occasions and decided to visit this time to take pictures.

One of the temples we decided to visit was the Masonic temple. We really went in to use the bathroom but got a pleasant surprise when we came out. Upon the urgency of one of the office workers we agreed to meet the owner of the company. At first we found it a bit akward but after meeting her and experiencing all her enthusiasm we were happy we had entered the temple.

The lady showed us a scrap book of all her plans, the pictures she had collected regarding how she wanted it to look, the renovation process, some pictures of before and after. along with a newspaper article from when the temple had been built (around 1926). She also told us how sometimes people will be begin to enter but realize what type of temple it was. Upon realization they make the sign of the cross and turn around quickly. The co-owner gave us a tour of the new facility which is dedicated to rural development. Here are some photos of what we encountered.

Goat skin rug made from local small scale farmers. Many people in the region have goat herds but don't utilize the resource as a money maker. Many of these people are poor. So to make a living part of ScientificRoets initiative was to have the people utilize the natural resources.

Outside facade.

For more information on the company please click here!

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.

Hardy in Harding

local cobbler.

mom reading paper.

Grandpa (87 today!) and Joe fixing the water supply tap.

It is sooo cold over here somewhere between 32 and 39 degrees. I know for those used to the Northern winters it doesn't sound cold but when most of the buildings don't have proper insulation, with only an electric heater or a fireplace to keep you warm, and you've gotta put more clothes on when you go inside than when you're outside it seems colder than in the States. Oh that and you can see your breadth when you're inside!

Making a fire in wood-burning stove.

We're still here in the "frontier town" called Harding. They call it a frontier town because it is near what they call "No Man's Land" an area not far from Lesotho where cattle rustling and all sorts of land lays open for people to live wild, if they so choose. I was just saying to Joe while we were driving down the road, "you have to be Hardy to live in Harding!"




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Ubiquitous site here.

Anyway, we're getting ready for our show this coming Saturday. I met with the mayor of Umuziwabantu municipality who will be there ready to speak. Hopefully some Rotarians will come too even though there are no clubs nearby.


With that said there are some interesting things to do around Harding. There are mountains nearby and Joe and I visited some last weekend. It wasn't raining so we took a 20 minute drive to the Ingeli mountain inn where we proceeded to take a 2.5 hour hike up one of the mountains.

Once we got to the top we encountered an army base. It's no wonder we saw those soldiers running through the forest. We had hoped they were baboons when we heard them from afar, however they ended up being armed men. Oh well. We saw the baboons only later when we got back to the main road. Unfortunately they were too far away to take a decent picture. The only one I did snap looks like a big foot sighting! :(

All in all it was a beautifully exhausting hike!

The other week we also visited Green Acres abattoir. Because this is cattle country we decided to take a tour. I got some really interesting pictures and learned a lot about how beef is processed. Due to the nature of the images however I have only put in a few of the less detailed ones for the faint of heart.

40 minutes later....

Harding

Working with the group of youngsters has given me a new perspective and respect for Harding. As well it has also given me a clearer perspective of what the town's strengths and weaknesses are. Thanks to the PEP group we now feel Harding is more than just a dusty little town on the border of "No Man's Land". The group has taught us that Harding is a family place and although it has it's problems regarding trash pickup, lots of foreign owned shops, and potholes, there are beautiful sites, trees, and people trying to live and enjoy their lives as best they can.

One solace to our adventures in this one horse town - if they had horses - has been the Municipal library. For one it is one of the warmer buildings in town because unlike most houses there is an electric air conditioner spewing out heat (I suppose the fact one individual doesn't have to pay the high rates is why they have it). Additionally, it is a quiet refuge from the busy streets. And lastly, it has free high speed internet that we can access from our lap tops. Thank God for small gifts!

In a few minutes I get to meet with the town mayor who was recently inducted. If all goes well I can get her to come to the show and speak to the kids. :)

"South Coast"

June 29, 2011

Today is Wednesday, the third day of our new group in Harding, KwaZulu-Natal. The group consists of 3 young men and 5 young ladies, and they all seem extremely enthusiastic about the Photography Ethnography Project (PEP!) especially because it is school break and there is nothing to do in the town.

The second day we met we talked about the town. I had them draw maps and then asked them to describe where they live. They described the town as small, dusty, crowded, and filled with gossipers and drunkards. When asked if they could change anything about the town they said they would clean up the trash, stop the drugs, make police harder on crime, and fix up the pot holes.

After teaching them how to use the cameras we had them take us around and take pictures. Here are some of the pictures they took.