Polokwane Shopping Day

Peace Corps provides a shopping day in a major town close to swearing-in to allow
volunteers to purchase things they might need for site. Unfortunately, through some bank error, none of our shiny new debit cards had been activated, so the vast
majority of us had little in the way of cash flow. Instead we just wandered around
a large mall in the half-stupor that only spending a few months in a small African
village and then being thrown into the gaping jaws of consumerism can beget. I did
have just the loveliest little burger with rocket, though. Not knowing what rocket
was, I ordered extra so I could identify it. Arugula? Really? I doubt Obama would have been made fun of for eating rocket salads.

Towards the end of the day it became apparent that no one had seen Linda, another
volunteer, for a while. Long and short, she had gotten food poisoning and had
sequestered herself in one of the mall's bathrooms. Well, at least she had running
water and flush toilets. So Elizabeth stayed with her while we went out front to
wait for the taxi. Which didn't come for a very long time. We drove Linda to the
hospital, just to be safe, and Elizabeth, the sweetheart, stayed with her.

Some photos:


Cate looking super classy.


Shae, Charlie, and Merris.


Chuckles, Merris, and Piper.


Cassandra.




America.