Life Through the Looking Glass...

There is something about Africa that speaks to your soul. Something primal and primordial that reaches into our ancient human spirits and strikes a chord. In amongst the dust, heat and frustrations you become aware of the voice of the ages thrumming from beneath your feet, the drum-beats as they pound through your veins. And in the bleak face of the mountain, inhospitable and harshly beautiful; in the opulence of a brief sunset, brilliant and blinding; in the exuberant and excessive display of colour from blooms fighting their way out of the baked earth; in the smiling and dust-covered visages of children tending their goats, flies crusting their eyes, you can truly see the face of God.


So, we've been here a month now, and what a month it's been! I have a awesome job, Dan has more than enough to occupy his time, we nearly have the internet, we have a lovely house to stay in, my family close(ish) by, a horrific road and terrifying drivers everywhere, a stunning view (exhibit a above) and still no water!! Living the fairytale is everything and nothing like we had anticipated...

Seeing as Dan has already enthralled you all with stories of the cars, roads and the daily death-defying gauntlet into town, I will not expound anymore, but will satisfy myself with a brief update on how things are going in Aimee's little Wonderland.

I have been at Aqua Hair, Health and Beauty working with Trish for two weeks now, and loving every minute of it! I approached the role with the usual apprehension that a new job brings, and have been pleasantly delighted with the salon, despite limitations in space and colour, with my boss, who is heaps of fun, my coworkers (free manicures and pedicures anyone?) and my awesome new clients. I was initially alarmed at having to use foil to highlight (I know, who'd have thought??) but I am happy to report that I still have the touch! And the pace here is so chilled out: clients don't mind if they have to wait for ages, and everyone knows everyone, which means the conversations are never dull... In fact, in my first week, a client was happy to wait while I cut Trish (my boss)'s hair because she hadn't had a real haircut in eight months! So cool!

The latest interesting news is that last Sunday our water ran out up at Lengijave... Oh nos! Then ensued a mad hunt for someone to truck water up our horrific roads (apparently the last time someone tried, their truck got stuck - eep!) which resulted in a tractor belching it's way up our drive, hauling 4,500 L of water with it. Operated by a very interesting fellow bearing the enigmatic name Bwana Masikio (Mr. Ears), it was all in all a learning experience as it took a couple of tries, due to the tractor's bald tyres. So, finally, we have a little more water, a lot more experience (and potholes thanks to the tractor) and a definite need for lots of rain before we run out again! So please pray, we need all the help we can get!

In fantastic news, we have made loads of awesome new friendships, re-established some old ones, and made some awesome contacts... This really is the land of opportunity: Dan has already been made two job offers in as many weeks, and with his permit in the pipelines (hopefully only two weeks away), it looks as though things are set to take off soon! Watch this space...

And so, from a dusty Wonderland, over and out.