Our South African Lifestyle

We have not posted to the blog for awhile as we have been busy teaching workshops, training teachers, and assisting students.  Also we have not traveled in a while so we are lacking on photos that we think would interest people.  So, given that, we are posting some kind of informational pictures that will let you see that the Gundersons have things pretty good here in South Africa.

Members of a small workshop that we are teaching in Pietermaritzburg just about 35 miles west of Pinetown. Not naming us, from left to right Sibusile, Bongiwe, Rodney, Linda, and Senzo.  Nearly all the Zulu and other tribal peoples have a first and middle name.  Usually the first is in their language and have real meanings.  The second is usually an English name.  Which one they use is a matter of their preference.  Most use their tribal language name.  We are trying hard to pronounce them correctly.

Here is our apartment complex, the Towers in Pinetown.  About 2000 people live here.  Our apartment, flat as they are called here, is located at the point of the little white spot that I added.  In the evenings the parking lot is full!

The guard and barriers that one must pass to get into the apartment complex.  We have a little electronic device that we sweep on the reader and the barrier gates lift and let us pass.  We treat the guards to candy, cookies, and even cinnamon rolls.  They are super nice and polite--and they keep us safe.

We are supplied this little Nissan Tiida which we rent for $150/month.  It is a great little car that I am actually able to fit in pretty well.  It gets a little cramped when we travel to the far parts of the mission.  We are very thankful to have it as it is well maintained and very dependable.  I am in my walking clothes.  We walk around the grounds of our complex for about 35 minutes every morning when we have time--doing better at getting there most mornings.

 The wading and swimming pool at the complex.  We have never seen anyone using them yet as it is still pretty cool most days.  Cool for here, but in Burns, Oregon it would be filled with kids.

 Playground on the complex.  There are quite a few kids here in the apartment building but the playground is not heavily used.

Does this look like we are safe?  The funny thing is this is just around the common clothes line area to keep people from getting in and stealing clothes.  Similar wire is also around the perimeter of the grounds.  Concertina and razor sales are big business in South Africa. 

Sister Gunderson and friend.  Decorations near the front entryway to the apartments.

 Glen and Libby.  They are on the board of trustees for the building.  They are very nice to work with.  Libby was the one who got such a kick out of our not knowing the South African terms for so many things like dust bin for garbage can and geyser for hot water heater.

One of the ladies in the complex that we meet most every morning.  Shelia has a son living in the US. 

Now for the real treat the inside of our flat.

 Our bathroom.  It literally is a bath room, a tub with shower and a wash basin along with a washer and dryer.

 Our double bed.  Large puffy pillows are not to be found here so people use two each.

 The kitchen.  Though small, it is actually very well supplied with appliances and cookingware.

 The dining room.

 Living room.  Sister Gunderson wants everyone to know that she did not select the furniture.  It was several missionaries back.  But we are very fortunate to have it.










Here is the toilet. Not the bathroom!  Not even in the same room.  One of our first trips to a mall we asked where to find the bathrooms and then then restrooms and both times we got puzzled looks. We finally found someone who understood and showed us a sign, they are called Toilets here in South Africa.

Sister Gunderson's favorite place in the flat, her dressing table.   And below our office.  Note that we have two computers so that we can both work on student files etc., at the same time.  

That is it for this week hope to have more interesting pictures in the future.