Fame at last!

Some of you may remember a photo I posted of David with a lizard hanging by its teeth from his ear. I thought it was such a funny pic that I sent it to the Kids’ National Geographic (South Africa) and this issue (MAY) featured David and the children! (Autographs available!)
The school holidays are on and there are less children around because many of them go to their villages. Families who do not live near a decent school often send children to rellies who do and the child stays there all week or term. It seems strange to our cultural-way of thinking, but it is also practical. In the north, families are very close (often literally; unlike our culture where family members can be scattered throughout the world). It seems normal for a childless couple, or couple near a good school, to take a niece, nephew or half-sibling into their home for months or years.
Some children, like our neighbour Johannes, goes back to the village to be with his relations because his mother works full-time. They do enjoy it and I sometimes wish I could send Étienne as it would be an experience to ‘put hairs on his chest’! No electricity or running water. Sleeping in a mud hut with all the bugs that go with it. A long drop for a toilet. Meals only two times a day (morning and evening); mainly mahangu porridge (which he hates). Working in the fields if it is sowing or harvesting time. But he could chase chickens, catch birds, climb trees (if there are any left in the area), etc to his heart’s content. Ah, but Étienne does like his creature comforts so perhaps … not!
Nothing much to say about the photos posted as they are pretty self-explanatory. However, for those of you fairly new to the blog, you won't know that those ‘mobile shops’ that the men carry on their heads are truly that. They go around with an assortment of things for sale in those boxes that would amaze you. One never sees a woman doing it, though. I don't know why.
You can also see Caris with some a new friends (answers to prayer) playing dolls. It has taken a while for girls her own age to come into the group that visits our house.
I have discovered a local scout and brownie/guide group and may try our two in it but it may be a bit tough at first, being the only non-indigenous children. I think it is conducted in a mix of languages. However, if they can make friends it should be good for them. I need to wait till next term to enrol them.
Groups of women selling all sorts of things are a common sight. They have a regular spot and are there every day of the year. This one is quite near us and Caris is buying a vetkoek (dough ball friend in hot oil). She really likes them. This one also sells dried fish (by her leg).
By the way, the Afrikaans word for chameleon is ‘verkleur mannitjie’ (not sure of the spelling). It means ‘little man of colours’. Namibians are so scared of them. They saw us holding it and told us we would get diseases and die from it, that they are poisonous etc. David was saying it was a good thing as it ate mozzies and flies but they tend to kill any reptile as they are scared, even of lizards.