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2006/07/30

On the way home in the plane

Airports and shopping centers are always interesting places to people watch. MSP (Minneapolis Airport) is no exception. It's a huge hub and people are coming and going in great numbers. Do you ever wonder where they are traveling. Why they are traveling and the stories behind the faces. There are TV'’s mounted high on the walls to entertain, educate or just plain give you concern. The stories coming out of Beirut are foremost today and each TV is intent on it's own story. Sometimes people watch transfixed, other times, it'’s just a glance and a comment. Here we are sitting in relative safety whilst those on the screen are sufferinging the most terrifying experiences. I would call it a little voyeuristic.
I wonder at the stories behind the young men and women who are sitting quietly in the characteristic army fatigues of the American Army. The headlines in the paper state that Bush will send troops to Beirut. Will their deployment be extended.? I also feel like telling then how proud I am of them..In in fact people often do and I admire the Americans for their patriotism.
There'’s a story behind every traveler. No one knows that I'’m going home to face the sadness of my Fathers death. I don'’t think my face shows the sadness. It's interesting.
People dress more casually here. Considering that we are in a heat wave most people are wearing shorts, T-shirts and sneakers. No matter what your age. It's refreshing and wearing smart casual clothes is the norm. I'm in my shorts too until I catch the plane home in LA, sure makes sense to me.
The Somali'’s who have come to the USA as refugees are a high percentage of the workers at the airport. I wondered at "“Odette" the cleaner today, her head enclosed in the traditional scarf and dressed in an airport uniform, things must be so different for her since the upheaval from her home land in Africa. She had her cell phone to the ready and her ipod in her pocket. which no doubt helps the time go faster as she swept up the minutest piece of rubbish on the floor.
It'’s summer holidays. University students and youngsters are traveling from place to place. The Mall of America was a hub yesterday and the noise of families enjoying themselves was deafening.. I think I've just flown over Denver. I see the road winding up into the mountains that took me on my first driving experience in the USA. Unbelievably there is snow still on the mountains despited the record heat-wave.
I have a few hours in an hotel in LA and then catch the plane home at midnight.
It will be a sad return. I don't hink Dad would have really put the family through this upheaval if he had a choice. However, I make the choice to spend time overseas and that's part of the job.

2006/07/28

Back in my home town.

It's 95 deg here in Minneapolis, and for those of you in Australia that's 35 degrees. Sorry to rub it in!!!! There's a tornado warning on the TV for areas up North, but as I look outside the hotel window the sun is shining brightly. It's predicted to hit 105 tomorrow
I arrived in Minneapolis yesterday. It was an early start and rain held up the plane traffic in Chicago for several hours. Chicago O'Hare is renown for being one of the busiest airports. We sat on the tarmac in line... As one after another the planes waited their turn for takeoff. It's rather an amazing sight to see these giant planes lumber along.
I have a few days here and then home for my Dads funeral.

2006/07/26

My Dad with his younger brother Posted by Picasa

My Dad.

My Dad was almost 87
He died on Monday.
I cried on Monday.
I try to ease his pain by imagining how he felt when he died.
I was asleep in my chair. I woke to my name being called over my right shoulder. To the left I saw a brief bright light. I thought I was imagining things. 30 minutes later my husband related the breathless news that Dad had died.
My Dad wasn't demonstrative when I was young, but as we both got older his hugs got stronger and lingered just a little longer.
As his child, I believe him to be the most talented man I know. The beauty of the things he created is testament to his continued memory.
So I make the long sad trip home on Saturday and return again the following week. I'd give anything to forget it all.
But this is life. ... joy and sorrow are inseparable. . . together they come and when one sits alone with you . . . remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.

2006/07/23

Some of the quilts made in two hours at our Scrap Happy event.
204 blocks constructed and sewn into quilt tops in two hours. The machines ran hot. Posted by Picasa
This is the way some of my students come to class
Walking Taco dinner
Judy sewing up a storm Posted by Picasa

Classes in Grayling Michigan

Four days of classes, a reception presentation and an evening spectacular are over and once again I've had a wonderful time with my students. I am always in awe at the results of these classes. This is my 7th year here in grayling. Its an annual event. Great friendships have been made and I get to share the growth of the students every year. Ali from Ice House Quilts is the most sharing and innovative Quilt Shop owner, the shop is a hub for quilters for hundreds of miles around. Most of my students traveled 3 to 4 hours to get here... Some even more. And I get to do it all again tomorrow.
I will put up the photos of the work achieved on the web page.
Thursday evening we began with a walking taco dinner. This is an interesting gastronomic event. Take one small bag of tacos, crush the tacos in the bag, then add hot chili meat sauce, lettuce, cheese, onion, sour cream and salsa, mix it up in the bag and eat as nicely as you can with a plastic fork. It should be accompanied by a little alcoholic delight and friends dressed as bag ladies.... What more can you ask?
Twent six ladies, in teams of three began with two bags of scraps, one light and one dark.
In a two hour frenzy, punctuated by the whistles of the designated Quilt Police, and a lot of cheating. 204 eight inch blocks were completed and will go to make quits for others. It is exhausting, but lots of fun. 10 pm, we all piled I into cars and went to Dairy Queen for an elicit delight. The laughter continued in the carpark as we recounted the funny events of the past few hours.
This is a priviledged way to make a living.

An entire week.

I'm finally catching up on the blog. It's a week since the last post and I've traveled half way around the world and been teaching for the past 4 days.
The trip from South Africa was long but not too difficult. I had to wait 4 hours in the hotel from checkout to delivery to the airport. I sat and worked on the computer in the lobby cafe. People came and went and I had a wonderful opportunity to people watch. Another 3 hours in the airport lounge and then a 12 hour plane flight to London. 4 hours in London and 9 hours to Chicago. This flight was the hardest and the most annoying, the young man next to me had a flatulence problem. Everytime he moved I thought "Oh,Oh,not again" In the end I was not too subtle and I demonstrated my feelings by dramatically putting my hand over my face... A few hours in Chicago, and an hours flight to Travis city Michigan. We encountered a huge thunderstorm and our little plane was battered by lightening and a rough ride. I was amused at the check in as the Pilot casually went round talking to passengers. (they needed to download 8) "You don't really want to go across that lake in a thunderstorm do you" !!!! Goodness he managed to put at least 10 people off, but I was going on after traveling so far. 38 hours after I left Johannesburg, I fell into bed in Grayling Michigan. The shower felt good. The bed was soft and I didn't move for 8 hours. I give thanks to everyone who delivered me and my luggage safely. I feel like I'm home again.

2006/07/21

Saturday 15th July

I relaxed this morning and didn’t leave the hotel until 10.00. The quilting groups have been incredibly hospitable and organized adventures for me once again. I was taken to the Kim Sacks Gallery where I found beautiful African Artifacts. It was run by the most interesting woman an artisan herself. Her choices of goods for sale were second to none. Take for instance the piece of appliqué below know as Kuba cloth they are made in very long strips and appliquéd by hand. I won't go into great detail about the cloth because I will put up a page in the web site about the different techniques of making these art pieces.
I was itching to photograph, finally my companion asked for me and I snapped like a woman possessed.
A trip to the Korso Gallery was interesting as well, once again that will be featured on the web page. I have been accompanied constantly on this trip and I really appreciate the friendship offered to me by the quilting group in Johannesburg. Lunch with a friend I met in Pt Elizabeth. In fact we had an Indian adventure together when we visited my students house for an Indian meal....She laughingly re-counted the incident where we got lost on the way home, and found ourselves on the wrong side of the tracks at about10.00 pm at night. We asked directions of a man and his wife at the stop lights.... “Follow me” he said and drove ahead of us for almost 20 minutes until we were on the right track. We thought he was actually coming home with us until we drove up aside him and motioned that we were OK. We were so surprised, but it was a wonderful act of kindness. In the afternoon we visited a share and care program where African women come every second Saturday to learn quilting. Some came from long distances in a “taxi” the mini busses that run between the townships and are crammed to the limit.
The local quilt group sponsors the women and some women have been attending quite a long time.
design some patterns for them and send them as a gift.
The next few hours were very special. We visited the house of Ina Le Roux. Ina has done a Doctorate on the oral traditions of the Venda people. I was entranced as she talked with such passion about her project. The Venda (and other groups I imagine) has always told stories and they have been handed down from one person to another verbally because there is no written word. In the cooking room every evening the women and children gather, The sun is setting, the fire glowing and I can picture that it is a wonderful setting for stories. The story teller calls out "Salungalu" and the gathering replies "Salungalu (We are listening) “are you listening she says” "We are listening” they all say again. She begins to tell the story one line at a time and almost in a “hallelujah” frame of mind the audience sings an acknowledgement. The story is sung monotone from the storyteller but her one tone blends in with the archipela replies of her audience. I would love to be there.... Ina says. "You must visit next time" and yes, I will.
I will put these stories and Ina's web page on my web page in the next few days.
Kuba cloth









Kente Cloth

Kuba cloth Posted by Picasa

Friday 14th July

Time to leave once again and move on to Johannesburg
Odette allowed me to film her collection of embroideries this morning. I first saw one of these pieces of artwork at an exhibition of quilts in New Zealand. Odette has been collecting them for many years now and could launch her own exhibition. There were several groups that made these wonderful pieces. Kaross and Mapula. Both groups were established in the early 90’s to assist women become more self sufficient. From humble beginnings, the work of the women in both groups have become established art pieces and are now sold in exclusive galleries. I also noticed that there had been an exhibition in the Smithsonian. The pieces I was shown by Odette are less polished than the pieces I saw in galleries in Johannesburg but in a way I preferred them because they were true folk art. The stories came from the heart rather than from someone else's pen. Some embroideries depict the horror of the aids epidemic here, some show village life or proclaim loudly the political views of the maker. One fun piece was about the wonderful invention of the vacuum cleaner. No subject is taboo. The thread used is bright acrylic thread about 8 ply I imagine and the background a very heavy black cotton.
I left for the airport mid morning and then enjoyed an hour flight to Johannesburg. This is my first stay in a hotel in South Africa and I am looking forward to being able to use my computer and the internet. It feels as if I have had my arms severed without the internet. It is not just for interest sake, it’s my lifeline to home and family and that has been rather sparse over the past two weeks. The hotel is quite far from the airport and after my unpleasant experience in Durban I was quite nervous when my driver drove through the back streets. I couldn’t see anything that resembled the area the Hyatt should be in. After half an hour or so, it appeared. and I breathed a sigh of relief. My driver, Isaac said “Madam, this is where you belong” I felt like saying “Honey, you better believe it” As I walked in my room, I noticed there was a message waiting. t I was expected at a meeting earlier in the day.... so a quick change and I was off again. However, the evening was spent on the computer and the links with home re-established and I felt more comforted. It was good to catch up with the world again.
I fell asleep watching the news....

2006/07/19

Zulu Country

Zulu Houses

Beautifully woven baskets
Sugar cane fields Posted by Picasa
We set out early in the morning for Zulu Country. Quite quickly the scenery began to change from built up suburbs to the lush green of the sugar cane farms. Small round houses with thatched roofs sat amongst the fields. The color of washing on the line added to the overall ambience. Children sang out a welcome as we drove past and ran down to the fence to have their photo taken. We came upon trucks and vans loaded with workers field workers in their blue uniforms. On every corner were women and children selling something. Oranges, bananas, fabric and cheap goods from China. It was like a picture postcard, I just couldn’t photograph them as we went past but the visual memory is very clear. I would love time to take a journalistic tour and just photograph the people. Ladies with babies on their backs, others walking along the road with bright fabric bundles on their heads. How do they balance those heavy loads? we drove for about 100 kms into Zulu country winding through bright green-terraced hills until we came to a museum, renown for its unique African basket museum.
A young Zulu woman took us through the museum explaining the intricate details of the weaving of the baskets and bowls. Surprisingly some are quite waterproof and serve as food storage containers. The air was cool and fresh as we walked around the compound that was once a Lutheran Mission and fort I think.
It was an interesting experience, I don’t pretend to understand just exactly how they made the bowls and baskets but I admire the artistic talent.

Animals in Tala Wildlife Park




Posted by Picasa

Tala Wild Life Park

Carol and Jane were taking coffee and waiting for us at a local shopping centre. Jane has a safari four wheel drive called.....Muffin an unusually feminine name for a tough vehicle. We chatted with anticipation as we travelled. The unhappy occasion of yesterday pushed into the background. We were three girls on an adventure and Tali Game park was our designation. It’s just an hour out of Durban. The city and the sea were soon left behind as we climbed through rolling hills. Even this far out of Durban, there were still people walking along the side of the road, bundles wrapped in bright fabric and balancing on their heads. Some people were carrying bags of oranges in red net bags... that just added to the color that surrounded us. The scenery looked like home in summer, dry grass, bright blue sky and even the occasional eucalyptus. the girls explained that winter is the dry season and summer the wet. The temperature was in the mid 20’s and it was a perfect African day for a safari.
The guard at the park had bright red hair. I thought it was for a specific purpose, No it wasn’t a tradition, just the modern age of dyed locks.
We drove up a rough dirt track and there before us was a rhino and cub. We watched in awe as this huge beast munched away on the grass just a few feet from us. We sat at one of the water-holes and watched a family of hippos take their morning bath. They called to each other as they moved across the mud flat and disappeared with a splash into the water leaving a glistening wake behind them. There were Ostrich’s performing a mating ritual, wings outstretched and prancing around each other on strong bare legs. Buffaloes gathered in a group and were joined by a myriad of other birds and animals. A magical experience. The grass is Australian summer gold, but here it is the middle of winter in Durban. There is very little rain during the winter months and I learned that this is the best time to view the animals because they need to go to the water-holes to drink and the grass is lower allowing a good view. I just couldn’t believe that I was here in this magical place. As a child I always wanted to go to Disneyland and to an African game park. Now I’ve done both. There is a serenity here that overcomes you when you are so close to an animal in the wild.
After a difficult morning I began to unwind and when the girls suggest lunch I jumped at the idea. The light was still a little high for good photographs, and considering that this was winter, it would be better even an hour later. There is a wonderful restaurant in the park. It shelters under a thick canopy of thatched roof. The floors are highly polished stone and the decor the earthen colors of the African Bush. Bright colored cushions and rugs blended with the zebra and antelope skins on the floor. Our luck was in because a convention was taking place and even though it was a week day they had prepared one of their famous buffets. Our lunch hour turned into two as we sampled a delicious meal and solved the problems of the world.
We ventured off to view the rest of the park, the sun was a little lower and the temperature in the 30’s. It was a perfect day.
Zebra hid in the tall grass, Giraffes stood at the water-hole nervously watching for danger. Springbuck watched us with interest and stood whilst I took interesting photos. When you are a photographer, you just know when you get the perfect photo, sometimes it happens in an instant, sometimes it is just the environment and at other times it’s a bit of a fluke but I new that I was going to have some exciting images.
We drove around the park, often just watching the animals with interest, at other times watching the light for the best camera angle. Sunset comes quickly and the light fades. I had the girls going from hill to hill for just the perfect sunset setting behind the acacia trees. I think we were the last out of the park. What an experience. I will never forget Tala.

2006/07/16

It just happened

Woke to the echoes of the fog horn across the bay and I realized that my early morning plane was going to be a little delayed. Another surprise came my way, I found part of my ticket was missing and I had to purchase a new one. Oh, well I just need to get on with it. darn it. The plane left almost 2 hours late.
There was a little confusion in the airport. The plane left from gate 5. All the passengers lined up expectantly. No, now you need to go to gate 1. We troop in a line down the corridor. At Gate 1 we wait, No now you need to go back to gate 5. Another procession. No we shifted to gate 2. Drag the hand luggage again. Sorry we will leave from gate 5. Finally we got out of the gate.
My host Odette was in Durban to meet me but she had to make a lot of phone calls to get the final arrival time, still we connected and all was well. Odette, took me to a wonderful gallery insuring that my luggage was safe under the protective eye of paid guard. Every parking area has a guard who looks after your car for a price. (around 70 cents). We ate lunch on the balcony of Odettes house overlooking the valley, the sun warmed my back and I marveled that this was a mid winter day.
We went down into the city to go to another Gallery, the parking guard duly said “look after you car well madam” The area seemed to be a market. There were people everywhere. I took off my bracelets and put them in my bag and commented that I was sad that I didn’t bring my camera. The area was not quite what I was expecting after the last gift shop. However the ambiance was exciting. The gift shop was a feast for the eyes. The most wonderful handicrafts. Patterns and colors to make the heart race. I purchased a few gifts for friends and we went downstairs to meet a man who had rung odette about some antiques. We walked back to the car. Suddenly I was grabbed fiercely by the neck and I realized that my necklace was the prize. I was wrenched around and I put my hand on my hand up and managed to hang on to the necklaces. The man was gone in a second. We were left shaken. One necklace missing, my others in pieces in my hand. It caused a little disturbance but had obviously been planned and the perpetrator had laid in wait.
My neck was bruised and scratched but the skin not broken. The remainder of the necklaces were stretched and broken but still in my hand However, I could have had my throat cut, or been hurt even more seriously. My bag was untouched. I am darn angry, and it doesn’t bare thinking about what could have happened. We went straight to the police station. However, the waiting line was long and we would have to wait for hours. So we visited the local station in Odettes suburb. However, we need to report it tomorrow at a main station for them to make a report. I need that for insurance purposes. But that’s not the end of the day of interesting incidents.
Odette and I were accompanied by 4 other ladies (who happened to be quilters) at a mid size local restaurant. Bill Clinton joined us for dinner. (In fact he and his friends actually sat at the table behind us) Dressed casually the were just like any other table of guests with the exception of the security guards with their earpieces and hidden weapons.
There would be No robbers in this restaurant. I recalled seeing Bill’s photo in the paper yesterday-morning as he celebrated at the soccer with chelsea in Berlin. I’m sure he came down to Durban to give me a little excitement after my drama this afternoon. Those or you who have listened to some of my lectures, I’m sure you think I exaggerate these experiences. Let me tell you friends It’s all real and I just experience them to make good stories for lectures. What will tomorrow bring.?
Sleep was hard to come by, I kept feeling the mans hand on my neck, my back was sore from being twisted and my elbow from being smashed on the wall. I felt violated. How dare he invade my person.!!

A day in a Township

My new friends
This is not the Township we visited but one of the many that have sprung up on vacant land Posted by Picasa
Just visiting







Washing day
Sheeps head stew Posted by Picasa
The interesting
hairdressing salon







The chicken seller
The herbalist. Posted by Picasa

 Posted by Picasa

I walked down a new road today

I walked down a new road today. The road of the black person in the townships of South Africa.
I met new friends today. 3 young people who have less in life than I but who shared a small part of their community with pride. I was given a wonderful opportunity today. One rarely given to a person such as I. I share my thoughts and images with you today in the event that it creates understanding.


We’ve seen townships portrayed on the news as we sat in our safe houses. I remember the uprising of the students in Soweto. The images of weapons, students bodies and distraught relatives beamed around the world. I’ve seen documentaries on South Africa which made me minimally aware of the aids epidemic. Are these the images that were in my mind when I came to South Africa? I guess they were, however, when invited to teach here last year I made a conscious decision to come with no preconceived ideas, I did no research other than find a map of Port Elizabeth and I knew that I was in for a feast as far as quilting was concerned. I certainly haven’t been disappointed, in fact, I leave this city of Port Elizabeth with a better understanding of this beautiful country. My hosts Dave and Beryl offered to take me to the township to visit their maid, Florence. Retired now for many years there is a continuous close relationship with her and her family. They built her house many years ago, and they will continue to pay her for the rest of her life. Florence is 80 now, her hearing is poor and her body slow, but her mind is sharp and clear. When we arrived she was sitting on a stool outside the front door doing the family washing in a two huge enamel basins. Completed washing hung on the line in the sun. Three young people, her grandchildren looked on shyly as we got out of the car.
Two of the children have lived with her since they were young after her Daughter died of aids. The house is neat and is a little different to her neighbors because she has a garden. Dave explained that I was a visitor from Australia and that I would like to take photos of the township. The young people decided to be our tour guides, they quietly got into the back seat of the car and began to direct us to their school, the local shops and tavern. We drove past small houses, divided by wooden fences. Some were barely shacks, some a little more substantial. This township has been on this site for over 80 years and Florence has lived here since 1955. I was itching to get out the cine camera, it was hidden under the front mat and I had my legs firmly placed over it. But we decided to just use the ordinary camera.
There is an area in the centre of the township where it is reported that you can buy just about everything. So of course that was our destination. The children stated that they would ask permission for me to take photos. Everyone looked at us with interest and we took the precaution of keeping the doors locked. In fact the doors lock automatically in the cars in South Africa. It’s a given. The streets were teaming with people, women with babies on their backs, old women bent double carrying huge bags. Children playing with home made toys made from wire and cans and of course unemployed youth. The unemployment rate is around 80%. ‘Taxis’ known to us as mini busses weave dangerously through the lanes, packed to overflowing. A young man leans out the front window and shouts their destination. We found a parking space and the children got out an and asked permission for me to photograph. “Yes, Yes” came the reply with a wide smile to accompany it. The first shop I encountered was a hairdressing-shop come cell phone repairer, housed in a bright Turquoise shipping container. The proprietor sat outside sporting a large mexican hat. One has to give him 10 points for multi tasking. Next was the chicken seller. She was preparing chickens for sale on a bench set out on the dirt pavement. As I photographed, the pale dead eyes of the chicken heads nestled amongst their severed feet and dared me to take their photo.
We walked on past the fruit vendors and amidst large plastic sheets laid out on the pavement sold for roofing. We came across several elderly women selling potions for well being. White and red ochre is rock and powdered form “for circumcision” she told me.... and you can also use it on your face for beauty. I could tell that she believed in it because she had used it herself that morning. She wore multi layers of skirts, as is the custom. A colorful turban, thick woolen stockings and sheltered under a broken umbrella. Her herbs and bottles of interesting elixir displayed for all to see on the pavement. “This root it for stomach pains” This one will make you feel good. This is to burn in your house to keep bad spirits away and this one for impotence” I didn’t volunteer to try any, but smiled and thanked her and gave her money for the requested coke. The children wanted me to venture further, but Dave was watching the car some 50 meters away. I just had him in sight and I figured that was as far as I could go. We returned to the car and asked directions to the Red Museum, a new building constructed to celebrate the careers and identities of many influential people who originally came from the townships. We were given driving instructions by a passing pedestrian and set off. The youngsters excited. “I love museums” said the 11 year old. We drove for some time, weaving our way past pedestrians and stray dogs, the ever present taxi’s and down narrow streets. I felt as if I was in a documentary. The colorful daily life of the people displayed for all to see. “We must ask the way” our youthful tour guides said. Dave pulled over and asked a group of women coming out of a market for directions... suddenly a man motioned that we open the back door! I will guide you he said. I was a little alarmed I must say after our recent hijacking in Haiti. Never-the less, he guided us skillfully through the back lanes and we came upon a huge impressive building set right amongst the shanties. As we parked I observed a man completing his washing and two ladies sitting in the sun chatting, their washing hanging on the fence behind them. The doors of the museum were open, the receptionist was behind her desk, the guard leaning on the desk. “I’m glad you’re open I said”... “Oh no Mam we’re not open until September.” There had been some discussion about the open status of the museum at the quilt show, seems it was supposed to be open in january, they were running a little late but the guard and the receptionist were prepared!!! “Can we take photos?” we asked. No was the reply, not until after the opening. Just then we spied a huge quilt in the wall. “Can we photograph the quilt” “No not until after the opening.” Dave and I tried everything to get a photo. The receptionist told us that the quilt was made by a group of ladies in the township and that two of them had recently been to a big quilt show. “Yes,” said Dave in attempt to influence her, this lady taught there, in fact she even filmed your ladies. I got out the cine camera and showed her the ladies being interviewed and singing in class. But I tactics didn’t work and we left with smiles and thanks but no photo of the quilt. That will have to wait for another occasion. We left, hoping we could find our way back to Florence's house. “This is where the man cooks sheep heads” says the youngest of the 3 children shyly pointing to a lean-to store with an outdoor fire. Dave did a quick U turn and we ran across the road to ask permission to photograph. The owner and his friends seemed amused but smiled and went over to the fire. I looked past the carcasses of the dead animals on the table. There were several goats heads I think. On closer inspection of the fire I noticed 4 big black pots encased in flames. They were boiling over into the fire. The shop owner opened the lid with a long ladlefor us to view the contents, dozens of stewing sheep heads. His assistant came over with a plate but fortunately, it wasn’t completely cooked yet so we escaped an interesting ordeal. Our tour over we returned to visit a little with Florence and then left. I will never forget the experience. We drove through township after township. Shacks painted in every hue standing with dignity within their diminutive confines. The Electricity wires linking then together like a giant spider web. What a privilege.
After a walk on the beach, photographing the final sunset and dinner at a great restaurant I said my final farewell to Beryl and Dave. I had a wonderful time in their home, I felt really sad to leave.

Friday 8th July

It’s been a week since I arrived here in Port Elizabeth. I’ve learnt and observed so much.
5 days of teaching and lecturing. There has been a whirlwind of events and I am overwhelmed by the friendliness of everyone I have met. I’ve had no time to write my journal let alone take photographs. However, I only have a lecture to deliver today and I will arm myself with my cameras and computer and try to do justice to the quilts on display. Class has been rewarding as usual. 21 ladies attended class over the past 3 days. With a class that size it is exhausting, both mentally and physically However it’s a wonderful challenge and I relish the opportunity. I find this class to be emotionally challenging as students bring photos to re-create for various reasons.
My class room was quite small for the number of people attending. The room filled well before class began and everyone set out their projects and waited anxiously for the class to begin. Introductions aside we walked the floor. Each person in turn produced their photo for their intended project. As usually happens, some were going to be easier than others.
We spent 3 days together. A group of women on an adventure of creativity, and that includes me. I often need to re invent the wheel for difficult projects presented in class. For some it was frustrating in the beginning, and some it was easier. They pushed themselves to the limit. This is a class like no other. I’m excited to say that everyone achieved and I was really pleased at the results. I have never met a class so focused and eager to learn. Just a week of observation indicates that it is the nature of the people of South Africa. It was a busy day and I also gave a lecture at lunch time, but I took 10 minutes for lunch and a little breather.
At the end of class I spent time with a student who initially was on the waiting list. She really wanted to be included and spoke to me a number of times about attending. I negotiated with the organizers for her to attend. I’m so pleased I did, her reason for wanting to make a portrait of her Mother will remain in my heart forever.
The students produced stunning quilts. Although not finished they have learned a great deal over the past 3 days.
My first class, wool applique was very small. The fact is, wool is difficult to purchase here in South Africa. The organizers wanted something a little different, but it didn’t work. Nevertheless I had a great time with my students, we had time to chat, and as a result I have made wonderful friends. Molly, one of my students invited us to dinner on Thursday evening. What a delight. Molly and her Husband “Pops” entertained us in grand style with a wonderful home cooked Indian meal. I listened with great interest as the day to day life here in South Africa was discussed. It seems that in the 12 years since the ANC have taken over the Government life has changed considerably. There are still great distances between the races and it is discussed openly. With an 80% black population the balance of equality has tipped the scales of equality to one side. Life for the poor black community is thought to be a little more difficult than before the ANC Government. However I say that with no authority, just observation.

Saturday 9th July

The lecture room at lunch time was full to overflowing and the mood as usual was jovial. The fact that I couldn't get the digital projector to behave was no deterrent, we just had a green tinge in the photos. !!!! looks like I need to invest in a new projector, this one is unreliable and has given me grief lately, I think it will end up used for movie watching at home rather than my presentations.
I spent the morning photographing the quilts in the exhibition. I’m not certain at the number of quilts hung, but I estimate 200+. The venue was tall and spacious and the quilts were hung extremely well. However, it was difficult to photograph the quilts that were-placed high on the wall. I will do my best to describe the ones I admired.
Innovative creative expression is the most descriptive way I can describe them. I wasn’t surprised. I had a small audition last year in New Zealand and I had been looking forward to this for a long time. I've written an article about the show, you will get to see it in the future.
Artwork at the market

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The blank stares of the
masks at the market.


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Sunday, 2nd July 2006

Dave and Beryl live in an apartment block overlooking the Bay. Every Sunday morning there is a flea market. As I sipped my coffee, I stood in the sun and watched the vendors set up their portable stores. It was a busy scene, young men loitered. Cars pulled in with small trailers and all manner of objects were extricated from the bowels.
I’m a people watcher and I enjoyed watching the process of preparation of one group. The Husband (or business partner) first pulled a chair from the trailer. His wife duly sat down and had a cigarette. Husband erected the tent and wife observed... The same thing happened when they left, it was interesting.
There were vendors from all over the country selling a wide range of goods. In one section there were African artifacts and the picture above show tall wooden giraffes hiding their keepers. They looked realistic as they reached into the bushes for food.
There were masks, all manner of wooden and carved soapstone animals and even tacky chinese imports. The vendors were polite and quietly spoken. “We can do a special price for you”. I felt guilty I wasn’t buying anything today”
The masks stared out with blank stares, the artwork tantalizingly beautiful. Some, which were painted bright colors came from the Cameroon, some were local.
The elephants displayed on the tar cloth marched to their own beat and we all enjoyed the beautiful weather and the atmosphere.
We walked for some time along the foreshore which reminded me of Glenelg. People enjoying the morning sun, sipping coffee and chatting with friends. What better way to spend a Sunday. We took coffee and a muffin in a cafe on the boardwalk and then viewed some of the “better “ african artifacts for sale. I have to tell you my heart sure beat faster. The proprietor of an interesting african drum shop showed us his display of beautiful textiles and introduced us to a must have book. “African textiles" He spoke in a broad Scottish accent. “Some of the textiles are like tartan” he explained, “each pattern tells a story” and I filed that away for further reference. Afternoon was registration and I visited my class as preparation for tomorrow. The Conference is being held in a turn of the century school.
It was a flurry of excitement as the organizers realized their hard work of the past 6 months was finally being put to the test. Students arrived with their cases and quilting stuff in tow. many are staying in the school boarding facilities which is known here as the hostel. Beryl and I wandered the shops, some 20 I estimate. I took the card of several looking for the right fabrics for my classes and made a mental note to return to several that are selling african fabric.
In the evening there was a meet and greet of the Tutors and we all received a gift of a quilted nameplate for our classes. They are just lovely and so much work has gone into making them. They will sit outside our classrooms for the duration of the Convention.
The evening proceed as any quilting event does, chat good humor and a degree of excitement and anticipation for the week to come. In a few days we will see the mood change to elation and exhaustion. How happy I am. It’s been a lovely day, and I admit to being tired tonight... Class for the next 5 days and then 2 days of lectures so it’s going to be a rather solid week. It’s my career and I love it.

Elephants at Addo











Warthogs eat on their knees













Sunset at Addo Posted by Picasa

2006/07/15

Aloe plants in flower

The aloe vera plants were in flower and absolutely spectacular against the blue sky

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