Jorts
This is the second time I am writing this post. I was finishing up the first one yesterday at an internet cafe when it started raining, and was told by a very nice woman who works there, "Sometimes, when it rains hard like this, it's not good to type long e-mails." And then my screen froze. So my apologies if these "sloppy seconds" aren't the witty nuggets you were hoping for.
We arrived here in Blantyre, Malawi on Wednesday night, a mere 6 hours after we were scheduled. An old man tried to tell us we should sleep on the bus because it was too dangerous, but luckily, our bus driver (who wants us to help him find a job in the US) took pity and arranged for our safe transit to our hostel in a taxi. The 2-day bus ride from Joburg was, needless to say, unforgettable. We're heading out again today for the fabled Nkhata Bay, hoping to spend more than 3 nights there, which will be a luxury considering how we've been constantly on the move pretty much ever since Cape Town.
For the capitalists among you (John Venable), you'll be happy to know that the Western entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well here in Africa. Unfortunately, this means that hapless consumers are also getting the tackiest items that a free market economy has to offer, such as jorts (jean shorts, for the uninitiated) and music by none other than Eminem. Street stalls sell anything from fruit to traditional wood carvings to cell phone chargers to underpants. I never thought about buying panties on the street before, but maybe I should. I also saw a "Praise Jesus Shop-For your Drinks and Snacks." Apparently the Red State cultural revolution is alive and well here also.
To encourage posting comments, I will now "shout out" to those who have. Apologies if I forget anyone.
Shannon: Great news about Atlanta! I'm also happy you gave your mom the web site so she can check in.
Jules: I ended up seeing your comment after all. Aren't you the techno-savvy one!
Bubs: Your email on your academic conference was riveting, especially the part about the hair cut. Glad your schedule is slowing down and sorry my Jo Jo assistance can't be offered this holiday season. Speaking of holidays, y'all should let me know if you want any sort of crafts or curios, and I'll send some home. One would think you have what you need from last year's trip to Zambia, especially since some items (i.e. salad spoons) still aren't used frequently.
Kate: Where have you been? I'm making an exception in shouting out to you, you non-commenter.
Ben Jammin': Thanks for checking out the site. Hope the trip back to the motherland was good for you. Shame you can't be around for the Turkey Day festivities.
Srygs: At least John Avise isn't asking us to write letters of recommendation.
Jennifer: Thanks for all of the recommendations about Malawi. I chuckled to myself when reading in Lonely Planet about getting to Liwonde, as they recommend hiring a boy to take you there on his bike, but watch out for the elephants. Oh, and I don't know if I'm going to be able to get you the ostrich eggs. Did you want plain or decorated?
I think that's it for now. I really enjoy reading all of your comments, and if you're a regular to the site, you should check them out as well.
We arrived here in Blantyre, Malawi on Wednesday night, a mere 6 hours after we were scheduled. An old man tried to tell us we should sleep on the bus because it was too dangerous, but luckily, our bus driver (who wants us to help him find a job in the US) took pity and arranged for our safe transit to our hostel in a taxi. The 2-day bus ride from Joburg was, needless to say, unforgettable. We're heading out again today for the fabled Nkhata Bay, hoping to spend more than 3 nights there, which will be a luxury considering how we've been constantly on the move pretty much ever since Cape Town.
For the capitalists among you (John Venable), you'll be happy to know that the Western entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well here in Africa. Unfortunately, this means that hapless consumers are also getting the tackiest items that a free market economy has to offer, such as jorts (jean shorts, for the uninitiated) and music by none other than Eminem. Street stalls sell anything from fruit to traditional wood carvings to cell phone chargers to underpants. I never thought about buying panties on the street before, but maybe I should. I also saw a "Praise Jesus Shop-For your Drinks and Snacks." Apparently the Red State cultural revolution is alive and well here also.
To encourage posting comments, I will now "shout out" to those who have. Apologies if I forget anyone.
Shannon: Great news about Atlanta! I'm also happy you gave your mom the web site so she can check in.
Jules: I ended up seeing your comment after all. Aren't you the techno-savvy one!
Bubs: Your email on your academic conference was riveting, especially the part about the hair cut. Glad your schedule is slowing down and sorry my Jo Jo assistance can't be offered this holiday season. Speaking of holidays, y'all should let me know if you want any sort of crafts or curios, and I'll send some home. One would think you have what you need from last year's trip to Zambia, especially since some items (i.e. salad spoons) still aren't used frequently.
Kate: Where have you been? I'm making an exception in shouting out to you, you non-commenter.
Ben Jammin': Thanks for checking out the site. Hope the trip back to the motherland was good for you. Shame you can't be around for the Turkey Day festivities.
Srygs: At least John Avise isn't asking us to write letters of recommendation.
Jennifer: Thanks for all of the recommendations about Malawi. I chuckled to myself when reading in Lonely Planet about getting to Liwonde, as they recommend hiring a boy to take you there on his bike, but watch out for the elephants. Oh, and I don't know if I'm going to be able to get you the ostrich eggs. Did you want plain or decorated?
I think that's it for now. I really enjoy reading all of your comments, and if you're a regular to the site, you should check them out as well.
7 Comments:
Sissy,
I am quite sorry that I have not yet commented. I tried once and it didn't work and I gave up. Gotta love that Venable tenacity. And of course, I was worried about my wittiness quotient. But, let it be known that I DID assist Mom in making her post, so that should count for something. You should also know that I read the blog religiously and become quite upset when there are no new posts. SOmething to keep in mind...
I'm really glad that y'all are having such a good time. The most exciting thing that's happened to me in the past two weeks is that I saw Usher at the Atlanta Hawks basketball game that I went to with Zach for his "work." I mean, I was REALLY close to Usher. Another exciting thing was that it was Zach's birthday on Monday and we had a chocolate and peanut butter cake like we had at our wedding. I tell ya, I'm living the life.
PLEASE BE SAFE and do not sleep on any buses. And, I would definitely like to request some curios...things I can display around the house. You will note that I, for one, have made use of all of the items I received from Zambia.
I miss you!!! Turkey Day will not be the same without you (and Ben). I will be a better commenter, I promise.
Love,
Fancy
Frankly, I just don't know why they haven't made a jort for men, because when I rap to Eminem, I lack the confidence of one on the forefront of denim fashion.
~John Asalone
Mark your calendar. Christmas Village, 2004 edition, is UP!
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Regarding your 'Red State cultural revolution', I must agree with your assessment of the overall impact of consumerism upon the landscape. Without capitalism, people would be oh so much more charming in their abject poverty. And their villages would be a lot more pleasant on the eye, don't you think? Perhaps we could just pay them to resist the temptations of self-improvement. Better yet, we could all just leave them be, so as not to spoil the native habitat. But then, who would buy the underwear from the street vendors?
I sent you an email via hotmail that ultimately bounced five DAYS later. Ironically, it was to tell you that I had set up an email account at charter (melanievenable@charter.net). You can access it via the web at http://mail.charter.net/ with your usual password. Let us know if you intend to switch.
Can't believe I missed out on a two-day bus ride in my youth, but I am most grateful that you are catching up for the both of us. You'll have to tell us of the Fable of Nkhata Bay. More evidence of my failed youth.
Love, Dad
Hello Bob and Melanie
My professional responsibility lecture is very boring ... your travel journal keeps me entertained. It sounds like you guys are having a great time! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Think Safety First, Lt. Bob
Best Wishes,
Justin P. Moeller
Greetings Ice Princess and your fearless companion Lt. Bob!
This is my first endeavor in bloggery and I am not certain how I feel about it (much to the dismay of all, I could become an avid poster). I am, however, confused about the whereabouts of these elusive photos that are sometimes mentioned. IRREGARDLESS, I am quite pleased to see that JORTS are becoming the international phenomenon that A.C. Slater always thought they would become. Things in Memphis are good--the lab, as always, is a riot (especially when we confuse words like arabic and aerobics). I have been perfecting the art of smearing fluorescent food into the mouths of unsuspecting morbidly obese mice and then visualizing their lymphatic vessels. I had my foot crushed by a wretched old Mexican man last week in our co-ed soccer final and have also simultaneously acquired strep and bronchitis. But dont worry it is not curbing my passion for the Thanksgiving festivities. We are plotting a grand Birmingham outing tonight at which you will be sorely missed. This entry is reaching massive proportions so I am going to cut things off and consider sending you an email via hotmail (the wicked "CURMBOX"). Continue to take Africa by storm, load your bags down with mindless trinkets, and send me a good pair of that street vendor underwear! love, dilme :)
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