Jack in the SWZ!

Jack is here! It’s exciting and somewhat nerve-racking for both of us. He’s been flitting about the capital, getting his cell phone situation taken care of, familiarizing himself with the city and looking for a place to live. I’d say he’ll never take a cell phone for granted again, but I think we all take a million things for granted even after they’ve come with some sweat and grunt work. I suspect that we’ll both return to that mode pretty quickly after we get back in a couple of years.

He spent a couple of days in the village with me, which was great. It’s invigorating to see the country through new eyes again. I’ve only been here five months (can you believe it?), and so much has become normal in that time.

Also, there’s a guy in a restaurant in Manzini who says “small chicken curry?” when I come in now. I suppose it’s easy to remember the usual for one of the few blond-haired, blue-eyed umlungus that wanders through the door. Umlungu means white person, if we haven’t covered that.

Jack already has a few promising leads on places to live, which is excellent news. He could stay with me for a bit in the hut. We’ve opted not to do that because I’m not yet comfortable imposing on the family for an extended period of time, and there isn’t a lot of space for two people and all their stuff. Either way, I’m sure he’ll spend plenty of time here. And his separate space will be closer to his volunteer work (plus, I’m hoping it gives me access to the occasional shower).

I’ll let Jack tell you about his first impressions when he gets his blog up and running. I will say that his arrival here was not without complications. The kindness of strangers pulled through in a big way, and we owe a lot to lovely doctors from the Baylor facility in Mbabane and a fellow from the Clinton Health Access Initiative. When Jack’s plane was turned back to Johannesburg, those people made sure he got not only to the country but also to the hotel we’d booked. That was a nail-biting five hours for both of us.

Incidentally, I got a discounted ride from a stranger to the airport and a free lift (turned out I didn’t need that one, but that’s moot) from a kind Zimbabwean at the airport. Swaziland hospitality FTW.

My integration period ends Wednesday, which means I won’t be required to stay in my village all but one night per month. PC still wants us in our villages the vast majority of the time, of course, but we have some flexibility now. This week will include a Thanksgiving meal at the ambassador’s house and a PC vs. U.S. Embassy softball game. I think we’ll throw Jack in there as a secret weapon.

Life is good, friends. Jack got a taste of some gross heat, but it’s cooled off a bit with rain again. I’ve started writing letters to several classrooms in the U.S., and I’m excited to correspond with some kids from my hometown.

Below is part of a four-page email I sent Jack with siSwati words and phrases. I thought some of you might find it interesting. “Ph” is a “p” sound, and k followed by a vowel is a “g” sound. “Kh” is a “k” sound."C" is a click made by pressing your tongue against the back of your top teeth.

Ligama lami ngu Jack: My name is Jack.

Ngiwaka Weinstein: My surname is Weinstein.

Ubuyaphi?: Where do you come from? (buya = come) This can mean now or in general — are you coming from home? etc.

Ngibuya emmelika: I come from America. (You can also just say America.)

Ngibuya ekhaya: I come from home (today)

Uphumaphi?: Where do you come from?

Ngiphuma emmelika: I come from America.

Uhlala kuphi?: Where do you stay?

Ngihlala eMbabane: I stay in Mbabane

Ngihlala ka Manzini: I stay in Manzini

Ngiyajabula kukwati: I’m happy to meet you.

Ngiyafundza siSwati: I’m studying siSwati.

Ngisikhuluma kancane siSwati: I can speak a little siSwati.

Ngicela: Please may I have … (remember the click)

Ngiya: I’m going (usually followed by a place)

Umthoyi: toilet

Imali: money

People also say “rand” as often as if not more often than emalangeni. So people will tell you “five rand” if that’s your fare.

Ngifuna: I want

Ngitsandza: I like

Kumnandzi: Delicious/good

Kakhulu: a lot/much — This is used for many things indicating scale. Kuyashisa kakhulu means it is very hot. Sometimes when you say “sawubona,” people will say “yebo kakhulu,” for example. I’m not sure why.

Kancane: a little bit — same usage as above, but opposite for a little bit or small

Namuhla: Today

Itolo: Yesterday

Kusasa: Tomorrow

Lisontfo: Sunday

Umsombuluko: Monday

Lesibili: Tuesday (also indicates “two”)

Lesitsatfu: Wednesday

Lesine: Thursday

Lesihlanu: Friday

Umngcibelo: Saturday