It's funny that once you've been somewhere, you can always find someone else to talk to about it. Since I've returned, I've had no less than four conversations with as many people about South African experiences, both mine and theirs.

It's funny how small the world really is.

Burning (wo)Man

Consider it a lesson learned. 

I've been thinking back on my experience (as I'm so often prone to doing) and I'm realizing that one lesson I need to learn out of this is: stop burning bridges. 

I wrote a five page (typed) debriefing when I left South Africa detailing my problems with the business project at Projects Abroad South Africa. I agree with everything I said. I re-read that document no fewer than five times (which is a first, considering I hate proofreading my own work). Every statement I made was meant to be effective yet emotionally removed from the situation at hand. It was supposed to reflect my views on South Africa as being positive but my views on the business end of things to have a more pessimistic outlook. 

I don't regret it. 

I wish I would have been able to explain it, though. Because I know that everyone who goes to that program (and many of the other programs under the Projects Abroad umbrella) have problems with it. And I know that not everyone is going to speak up about it. I'm happy that I voiced my concerns. I hope that the UK office chooses to take to heart some of the criticism they're getting (and have been receiving in recent months) and take some action. 

I realize that it's a non-profit organization and there are limits to their spending abilities, but let's just say that 3rd party sources have confirmed that the administrative fees we pay support very luxe lifestyles. And it's a given, but it would be nice if some parts of those salaries could be be put toward the projects "we're" supposedly supporting - something besides free labor. 

(This started out as an apology of sorts but then I realized I don't have anything to apologize for. I love South Africa. I liked the people who worked for Projects Abroad. I hated the way they implemented their programs. Enough said. I won't be asking them for references and I can assure you I won't be getting any. All that's left to do is complete an article and finish editing a small video for micro-financing and then all will be well in the world. They'll carry on and so will I.) 

Food Update

I brought a pack of Pick N Pay Ginger Biscuits on the plane with me, hoping that they'd last until we landed in Denver. I've never been particularly fond of ginger, but for some reason, I'm now completely in love with the sharp spicy sweetness of these biscuits. I opened the pack on the flight from DC to Denver, and between the two of us, they were gone before the stewardess could make a round with the drink cart.

I found South African wine at King Soopers. While I'm not entirely sure why King Soopers is selling wine, I'm not complaining (at least, not yet). I didn't find any of the labels that I was seeking, but I found one that was familiar and another that was $5. So of course, I bought them both.
It's going to be interesting to try and find the wines I want here. Hmm....however, there's a bottle from Spier that I brought back. I'm holding onto it until I feel like drinking it, but it's going to be delicious. Maybe it'll be my Christmas dinner contribution.

Fairview makes the best white rock cheese with apricots. They also make one with cranberries. I realized that there was no way I was going to be able to get packages of the cheese home alive, so I settled for trying to find some here. And I found an English white cheese with cranberries, so I bought it. However, it lacks the sweetness of the Fairview cheese and instead, tasted almost too bitter for me. I'm going to have to be creative in my cranberry cheese applications now, as I have a rather large triangle of it and no particular inclination to devour it.

Things I bought yesterday: turkey. Sliced turkey breast. I have not seen any lunch meat that's not processed in three months, so it was a pleasure to open the container and taste pure turkey with black pepper. Mozarella. I have a feeling I'll never get away from this new love of cheese. Fruit. Cabbage. V8. This is heaven, really.

The call for coffee consumes me.

...US soil

It's 6:30 am.
I've been awake for two hours.
All I really want to do is go dancing. That's weird, I think.
I've watched Sister Act on Comcast and am contemplating re-reading the 7th Harry Potter book.

It's too dark to go for a run.
It's too late to go back to sleep.
I'm too mind-boggled to try and start finishing this blog beautifully.

The trip was long. But it went smoothly. Apparently as we landed in DC, the winds were almost too much for our 767. People were throwing up in their vomit bags. I am glad I enjoy turbulence.
We almost missed our third flight (to Denver) because of the line at customs, but we ran, so it was alright.
I am so glad that Mike is my little brother. He's the best.