Champaign Skies

Apparently Durban is experiencing a cold spell, but right now the sun is shining through my window and warming me quite nicely. After all it is 23 degrees – an average summer temperature in Canada or the UK.
I’m sitting on the couch having devoured a whole pineapple. I’m still reveling in all the South African treats I’ve miss since I lived her over 10 years ago – fresh tropical fruit, double decked Cadbury bars, muesli rusks, litchi juice….. the list goes on.
From where I’m sitting I see out the two French doors of my cottage, over the tops of the trpocial trees and then just catch a glimpse of the ocean. The ski is perfect cloudless blue. In the evenings it turns a pale pinky yellow that one of my colleagues told me is called ‘Champaign ski.’
I’ve started work at HEARD and am already happily up to my eyeballs in readings about HIV and care, and helping the communications department with websites and other projects. The office is a busy place, with about 30 researchers working on projects ranging from how to improve services for children orphaned by AIDS, to how to increase the capacity of health systems to better address AIDS care and treatment needs.
I’ve also had a good dose of South Africa culture. On Saturday I was invited to the ultimate South African event – a brai to watch the rugby game. We munched on yummy bratwurst rolls and cheered on the South African Springboks who won just in the nick of time.
Now its mid week and I’m experiencing my first ‘real’ work week in eight months (student life does not count as ‘real work’ as week days and weekends blur into one). I’m actually enjoying being busy and useful at the same time as exploring this lovely country. This weekend I’m off to iSlmangaliso Wetlands Park, so stayed tuned incase I have any adventures with hippos and crocodiles.
Peace, x.