South Africa Day 4: An Unforgettbale Woman With An Unforgettable Story
The day began with a quick guided exploration of the enormous Muti Market. All of the African herbs in Durban are sold there. Because we were rushed through the market, I had no time to play with the herbs or talk to the izinyangas, or herbalists. I was really interested in comparing and contrasting the African herbs to the Chinese herbs I was studying in Graduate School. The following are photos from inside the fragrant Muti Market:
We did have a little time, however to shop in the nearby Victoria Street Market, where I bought a colorful batik painting of an African woman carrying water on her head to hang over my desk at home.
A view of the Victoria Street Market.
A mother buying food for the day.
How this woman is able to balance this on her head is beyond me! I love
her socks by the way.
Then we drove to a TB clinic nestled within the "Valley of a 1000 Hills." The miles of rolling hills were simply breathtaking.
My 1st glimpse of the hills.
While there we were paired with a translator, so thatwe could communicate with our TB patients. My translator was a brightand kind 22 year old woman, who was hoping to one day become a doctor. Through her I discovered that my TB patient had developed the diseasedue to the dire conditions he was forced to work in. If that wasn'theartbreaking enough, on my walk back to the coach, my translatorconfided in me that she had been raped at the age of 18. Her attackerleft her both pregnant and infected with AIDS. Scared that she wouldpass AIDS on to her child, she terminated the pregnancy. I was one ofthe only people that knew about her condition, because she would beexcommunicated from her community if she told the truth about herstatus. She felt hopeless and wondered when the USA would develop acure. All I knew what to do in that moment was to listen to her. I felt so honored that she would feel comfortable enough to share such intimate details of her life with me. Herbeautiful face and words will remain in my thoughts forever.
Me with my fellow medical delegates, as well as our interpreter and TB patient that we saw.
The view from the TB clinic.
Later in the evening the medical delegates all attended a drumming circle. I love the sound of the African drum. Its seductive beat makes it nearly impossible to not want to move your body. Alas, sitting in a room of 60+ people whom are simultaneously drumming was just not as great as I had hoped it would be.
My friends and I attempting to have fun with our drums.
Me and my 2 drum carrying body guards.
On a positive note, I did get to spend my last evening in Durban by the harbor, which happens to be the busiest port in Africa. Cape Town now awaited my arrival...
We did have a little time, however to shop in the nearby Victoria Street Market, where I bought a colorful batik painting of an African woman carrying water on her head to hang over my desk at home.
A mother buying food for the day.
her socks by the way.
Then we drove to a TB clinic nestled within the "Valley of a 1000 Hills." The miles of rolling hills were simply breathtaking.
While there we were paired with a translator, so thatwe could communicate with our TB patients. My translator was a brightand kind 22 year old woman, who was hoping to one day become a doctor. Through her I discovered that my TB patient had developed the diseasedue to the dire conditions he was forced to work in. If that wasn'theartbreaking enough, on my walk back to the coach, my translatorconfided in me that she had been raped at the age of 18. Her attackerleft her both pregnant and infected with AIDS. Scared that she wouldpass AIDS on to her child, she terminated the pregnancy. I was one ofthe only people that knew about her condition, because she would beexcommunicated from her community if she told the truth about herstatus. She felt hopeless and wondered when the USA would develop acure. All I knew what to do in that moment was to listen to her. I felt so honored that she would feel comfortable enough to share such intimate details of her life with me. Herbeautiful face and words will remain in my thoughts forever.
Me with my fellow medical delegates, as well as our interpreter and TB patient that we saw.
The view from the TB clinic.
My friends and I attempting to have fun with our drums.
On a positive note, I did get to spend my last evening in Durban by the harbor, which happens to be the busiest port in Africa. Cape Town now awaited my arrival...
What an interesting trip filled with some many sites and emotions!
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amazing photos!
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Drumming in a huge group is not always fun if people are not experienced. I took a beginning percussion class a few years ago (not really my strong point!) and noticed that it takes awhile for a group to get in the zone, even a small group. But once you get people doing a variety of beats and everyone starts to mesh, it really is exhilarating!
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