"We warned you about the monkeys."

Monkeys fool me once: shame on me.
Monkeys fool me twice: shame on me.
Monkeys fool me three times: THIS. MEANS. WAR.  

Recently I have been staying at a laid-back, relaxing hostel on the eastern coast of South Africa. Most days I like to wake up early, leave my suite and make my way down to the outdoor common area. This open-aired common area consists of several picnic tables over-headed by thatch roofing while strategically placed next to an in-ground pool. This is where I study most days with the occasional wade-in-the-pool study break.

As I have been living here for almost two weeks, I’d like to trust my expert opinion and believe that most days are quite relaxing unless you receive the panicked alert, “Quick, there are monkeys in your room!” Upon my arrival days prior, I was warned to keep the windows closed throughout the day because the monkeys will enter vacant rooms, steal food, maybe rummage through cabinets and refrigerators and leave messily. At first I stuck to the ‘closed window rule’ quite strictly. Although as the summer season emerged and the temperature continued to climb, my roommates and I felt that a cracked window was needed in order to calm the humidity within our flat. Of course we began to grow too comfortably with our windows open, as monkeys were never present. Life seemed to be going well for my roommates and I, soaking up the sun, studying by the poolside, and most of all, our flat had a refreshing wind gust swirling between rooms. We were living a monkey free lifestyle.

Monkeys fool me once: shame on me.

Ellie Leaning and I are sitting by the poolside, studying as usual. I have finally found the seldom-occurring mood where I feel the passion and drive to study forever. As I am reading an article a man comes rushing over to Ellie and I, “Quick, there are monkeys in your room!”. Of course I laugh, Monkey’s in my room bahaha, wow I can’t wait to tell this one at home and Ellie’s face reads the expression, No! Disaster! With her worried look, Ellie rushes off to unlock the flat and salvage our belongings. I find the occurrence hilarious and as a result, remain at the outdoor picnic table and continue with my work. Ellie may be little with her short stature, but she sure is feisty and I know that she’ll give those monkeys a stern talking to. However after a few moments of Ellie’s absence, a monkey comes frolicking across several roof tops, making its way towards my direction. He captures my attention and I think, I’m sure this is the one that entered my flat. But I can’t be mad, his small size makes me assume that he’s delicate and therefore, adorable. However as this monkey jumps from roof to roof, it seems as if he purposely meant to catch my eye. I feel this way because as he jumps across the rooftops he halts parallel to my location and stares at me from above. The worst part: He slowly raises his arm with a nectarine in hand, opens his mouth and takes a snail-paced bite without glancing from my direction. How rude! Of all the people outdoors, he locks eye contact with me; He knew that was MY nectarine. After mocking me, he scurries off leaving me taken aback. Upon Ellie’s return she informs me that this monkey has committed robbery as he has stolen a whole box of nectarines, a bundle of bananas, a few avocados and a toothbrush! What does a monkey need with a toothbrush?!

After this incident, Ellie and I report the event to our other roommates where we laugh and overlook our stolen goods. We decide to lock our windows while away and forget about the scenario later that night.

Monkeys fool me twice: shame on me.

Later that evening, the summer’s humidity is outstanding and my roommates and I can’t help but open a window. Monkeys rarely enter an occupied setting so we believed that we would be okay leaving the bathroom window ajar. Slowly we fall asleep as our bodies fight the uncomfortable, stuffy, and sweaty humid atmosphere.

The Portal of Entry:
the bathroom window

It’s 6:20am. I wake to screaming. Get out of here! Aghhhh, leave! Leave! Leave! I can hear Eliie screaming, at what? I have no idea. Upon waking, I rush out of our bedroom to Ellie’s location, the living room. She screams, The monkey is back! Now I’m worried because she is currently standing in the living room pointing in the direction of the hallway that leads to the bathroom and the kitchen. For a moment I feel brave walking down this hallway until I reach the bathroom door. Then I think, What am I doing? I am going to position myself to walk through this door into the bathroom. If the monkey is in here, what am I going to do, fight it? It will kick my ass. However Ellie is panicking and tells me, I just saw it leave the kitchen and walk into the bathroom. Oh great, thanks El, the bathroom appears so inviting now.

I finally gain the courage to walk into the bathroom and I quickly think, Yes, no monkey is visible. I experience a deep sigh of relief and part of my adrenaline washes away as my body calms. I see that the bathroom window is partially open and I take a step forward in order to close the window. I can hear Ellie creeping behind me as a monkey’s shadow is cast into the bathroom from the outside. Both her and I scream as he wraps half of his body inside the bathroom window. Gahhhh!!!! I begin to think, You devilish monkey, Ellie and I are screaming with fright and you are not moving! Why aren’t you leaving us alone, you devil monkey you?! But I can’t utter words, I can only scream. As a result I feel as if Ellie and I are vulnerably screaming at this monkey, who is literally an arm’s lengths away, and I am hoping that these screams alone will make him go away. Of course he just snickers and stares at us. What kind of animal are you? As more thoughts pass through my mind, I come to the realization that screaming doesn’t help. Thankfully a towel is hanging near by, as Ellie stands behind me, I quickly grab the towel swirl it in my hands, wind back and snap the towel at this stubborn monkey. He still doesn’t move. Dramatic fail. Now my thoughts are becoming vulgar, What the hell? Who sent you devil monkey?!

The Evidence: banana peels.
Our flat window is on the right,
adjacent to the red flowered tree.

Finally after three to four attempts of winding back and snapping my towel at this monster of a creature, the monkey leaves the window. I quickly jolt forward, close and clasp the window shut. As I turn around Ellie and I’s eyes read the same expression, Let’s find a window and see where this bugger went! First, are all windows shut? Without speaking we check all windows and glue our bodies to the glass windows that view the landscape below. We see one monkey in a tree. Okay, so we know there has only been one monkey. Thank goodness. But wait! I see a baby monkey on the far left side, hanging on the staircase. Okay only two monkeys, and one is a baby. What? Three, no four… five monkeys! As we watch a few monkeys playing frantically on the staircase outdoors, I can see them tearing at our large bundle of bananas. How rude? We just replaced those yesterday after YOU stole them from us to begin with! Grrrr. Of course Ellie and I grow angry and start shouting at the monkeys from our viewpoint inside. Go away! Leave us alone! Shoo! Shoo!

And what does one monkey in particular do? Well, from what I though was an innocent baby monkey, this baby pounces his way back up in our direction, not only scaring Ellie and I, but mocking us. Im so mad at you monkey, but I’m scared at you at the same time. You baby devil you! Finally all the monkeys scuttle away leaving us alone.

Monkeys fool me three times: THIS. MEANS. WAR.

Attention all monkeys: Although you have yet to commit an additional felony, my roommates and I are watching you. You will not steal another banana, toothbrush or facewash from us again! If you even attempt to steal or mock us, we will no longer stand in fear and scream at the top of our lungs. You have brought this to an all-new level, take note and fear the consequences you dirty little buggers! 

The Aftermath: banana peels and face wash
that had fallen from our flat window above.

Impendle: Description through pictures

Thankfully due to my new investment of a camera, I have been able to document and better describe my experience in Impendle. Impendle is a rural living area located in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. This area is located in a mountainous region where the region appears dry with straw-colored terrain. Despite its appearance, please keep in mind that I did visit this area during the region's early spring season where rain is scarce. Through comments of locals, I did learn that the terrain looks much different once the dry spell passes and the rain takes place again. During my three day stay in Impendle, I also lived among the locals as I shared a bedroom, meals, transportation and much more with them. Here is a glimpse of what I had experienced.

Dogs are quite common here. Although they are well fed and catered to, these animals are not seen as 'pets' but security for livestock and family protection. Thankfully I met these two pups on my travels.

Animals are a popular investment in this area. Sheep, goats, cows and chickens are raised and sold for food, labor and religious sacrifice. 

This area is considered 'town' for locals. It consists of this main road where locals come in order to buy groceries, obtain gasoline, attend the town Library, Police Department, Health Clinic and achieve access to other essential items.

These clay blocks were derived from clay of the encompassing mountains' sides. Most homes are made of this clay. As the family I was staying with was building another home for themselves, they allowed me to take pictures and ask about their housing design. According to my family, this roundeville that they were building would take them about one week's time to build.

This roundeville served as my bedroom during my three day stay. Inside there is one large round room that consists of a single queen-sized bed, a bureau and a television. Families of rural areas construct their homes with several buildings. One building will hold the kitchen, living room and some bedrooms; While other buildings will consist of roundevilles with one room served as either a bedroom or smoke room designated for fires for cooking or warmth during the winter season.

An additional view of the mountainous landscape.

This is the inside of a ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrine. Rural areas often use outdoor latrines because indoor plumbing and bathrooms are scarce and/or non-existent. Interestingly, South Africans do not refer to the bathroom as 'bathroom' but as 'toilet'. Please note that these facilities are not referred to as "THE toilet", soley "toilet". Example, "Where did he go? Oh, he went to toilet". PS: Keep in mind this phrase not only applies to rural areas, but throughout South Africa.

A few friends and I decided to hike a nearby mountain. This is a picture of them as they welcomed the new day's sunrise.

Mtwalume: Description through pictures

Mtwalume is a rural living area part of the KwaZulu-Natal Province. During my three-day stay here I lived with a local family who graciously provided me insight into their lives as I lived like a local. Here are a few pictures which describe the landscape, housekeeping, roadways and vegetation of the area. 

Rather then paved roads, Mtwalume is home to dirt roadways.

The area is encompassed with luscious greenery.

This roundeville is the 'office' of a sangoma or natural healer who uses herbs and other natural remedies to cure every day problems like illness, theft or lost items and the nuisance of bad luck.

Along with banana trees, Mtwalume is home to lemon, mango and avocado trees which grow freely throughout the area.

A ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrine. These latrines are common throughout the area as indoor plumbing and bathrooms are scarce if non existent. 

“Hey, Them Monkeys are Nauggghh-ty”.

Throughout the KwaZulu-Natal Province, monkeys are as common as squirrels to the United States. Like squirrels, monkeys find comfort in neighborhood trees, community parks and in the presence of humans. However, monkeys are much more clever than squirrels as they often tease and steal food from humans. This may explain why each time that I ask locals about these clever animals; only one word is used to describe them, “naughty”.

Through the experiences of locals, I have learned of monkeys mocking human passersby as they stick their tongues out like mischievous children. While in other instances, monkeys have been reported to form mini monkey-gangs as they scout human crowds in order to find the opportune moment to pickpocket. Thankfully I personally have yet to encounter a naughty monkey. Although unfortunately for Janelle Linton, she has experienced her very own gang of monkeys… (too) up close and personal.

In the video below, Janelle describes her experience as she eats at an outdoor café. Her friends have just completed their meal and left the table, leaving her alone with her food and a dirty plate.

 (PS: this is hilarious).

Thanks to youtube... this short clip can be found at the link below!
Janelle and Them Monkeys

Home is Where You Make It

With two weeks past, and another three to come I have been living the life of a South African. Roughly two weeks ago I (again) moved from a beachfront condominium to a township residence. Within this township I have been staying with a loving family in their three-bedroom house.

With this family I live with my ‘gogo’ or grandmother along with my beautiful sister and two very handsome brothers. Each and every one of my family members is incredibly intelligent and very hard working. Although it is quite rare for township citizens to attend tertiary academics, my two older brothers have both obtained university degrees. With their brilliant minds, one has completed his masters in law and the other, architecture. My younger sister has just begun high school… but I can already see that she will be making significant impacts in the near future.

Now that I have been living in the township for quite sometime, I have determined that life is much different than how I had been living previously. To begin, all citizens of this area live closely as they know each of their neighbors and many others of the community. Children often run free, leaving early in the day and returning late at night while parents trust that the surrounding community watches over their youngsters. I also find it comforting that when an individual is in need of money or other resources, the community lends a helping hand despite the lack of resources they themselves obtain.

Personal challenges that I have faced include the routines of everyday living. Although my house is provided running water and electricity, our house remains to have limited supplies than what I am used to having. For instance, because our home has only access to a bathtub and cold running water, I have yet to take a shower. Rather I bathe every morning as my gogo prepares me with kettle-warmed water that she then places in a red bucket for me to wash myself with. Through this living experience I have also learned to hand wash my clothing. Despite the house having electricity for lighting, a refrigerator, stove, microwave and TV, there is no washing machine. As a result I wash my items by hand and allow them to hang-dry with the remaining family’s belongings. I have also overcome the challenge of transport. In South Africa people use transport taxis called ‘Mini Buses’. These mini buses are often run-down, 9-seated, large vans. There is no apparent organization for bus stops or designated destinations, although when an individual sees a bus, they simply wave the bus over and then the bus will pick them up and bring them to wherever desired. Most of the time the buses are cramped with 12-15 people as the drive quickly through the streets, all the while playing base-loud music and nearly breaking the eardrums of each and every passenger.

Along with the routines of everyday living, I have also faced challenges of cultural norms. As I greet a variety of community members, each has their own handshake. Some perform this with 1-2 firm grasps of the hand as they reach down to the wrist then again to grasp at the palm. Other handshakes may entitle a firm grip of the palm, then a cupped hand as the opposing fingers are held, and finally to what reminds me of a ‘thumb war,’ each hand snaps their thumbs together and finally releases their hold. There are various forms of handshaking and the problem is, upon greeting, how do I know which one to perform? I still don’t know!

Surprisingly, I love living this simple life. I have grown quite used to not showering but bathing and hand washing my clothing. Although I remain timid when approaching absolutely crazy mini buses, I enjoy their transport. I also enjoy the close-knit ambiance of the community. I have actually grown so comfortable with the locals that I have joined a women’s Netball Team (similar to Basketball but less contact) who practices every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. And most of all, I have become too attached to my family as it worries me when I consider leaving them. I have grown attached to the nightly gatherings of our family and neighboring friends as we sit in our over-crowded living room and talk about everything and anything. The late nights compact of laughter, smiles, discussions and downright silliness is what I will miss most. They say that home is where you make it, and with all seriousness I can assure you that this home has been made.