Festive Season

It’s that time of year again where Swazis take a break from their life and just go at it for the next couple months. What I’ve learned from last year is, don’t plan anything at the end of your third term. From December to the end of January, Swazis know how to let their hair down and have fun! School is out, departments are closing and best of all—it’s hot as _____.  All a person wants to do is be outside and enjoy the nice weather. It isn’t as hot as it was last year, but there have been plenty of days where you want to soak yourself in the pool all day.  There is a braai (cook out) for anything and everything. I especially love that my birthday falls right in the middle of it all.

Last week I had yet again another huge party. I was saying good-bye to 25 and moving one step closer to 30 (yikes!). Several of the PCVS came out, and all of my Swazi and South African friends made an appearance. Glasses were broken, tables were destroyed, pools were invaded, and the crowd was happy. We had some special guests, my friends who are DJs from SA came out to play, which was really exciting. By 2 am, the country club told us to go home, and since I am a broke volunteer who has no money to bribe with, I had to follow.

The following week was Ingcwala- it is a Swazi holiday whereby the country celebrates the first fruits. It’s a very big cultural event which centers on the king. In actuality, Ingcwala lasts for an entire month. The king goes into seclusion, a bull is killed by the bare hands of a young male, and there are water people who go door to door seeing if you have broken any of the traditional rules, like painting of the fingernails… gasp! Ok, maybe you need to be here to get the whole picture, but it’s pretty cool.

Before all these cultural celebrations took place, I had my school’s Christmas pageant. I wouldn’t be a good teacher if I didn’t brag about how well they did! Look at the pics below to see just how cute my kids are. 

Now finally, it is time for my vacation…… I told my mom I was going to Cape Town, but just like the good daughter I am [not]….. I didn’t tell her I am actually going home to America! As I am typing this blog, I am sitting in the Joburg airport. I have 23 hours of travel ahead of me. So in about 24 hours, I am going to be surprising her at the house. Be sure to check-out my next blog, when I post a video of her reaction!

Merry Christmas!!!!!!