snake, cakes and birthday celebrations

Happy Birthday to me! 27- what a blah age- but it certainly wasn't a blah day of celebrations!


I was up at 6am awaiting a call to go harvesting maize. Harvesting seems to be very much a family affair- where the owner of the garden supplies lunch and the extended family joins in to help. A friend of mine picked me up, then we picked up Swa-, her children and 2 of her sisters and met the men out at the garden. The work itself doesnt require much muscle- but it requires tough hands and it gets pretty hot working in the sun all day. Us whities lasted from about 8am till 11am- at which point i wasn't convinced i had much more skin on my fingers to lose- and I had to get back to help prepare for my afternoon teaparty.
While we were harvesting I felt something sharp in my shoe ( I was wearing crocs) I kicked it off and as it didn't hurt wasn't worried 'til it got really itchy. i called my friend over to inspect my foot and said 'a snake bite would hurt would it?- What do you do for a snake bite?' she answered- 'pray!' so we did. There is still some speculation as to what bit me (take a look- what do you reacon? ok- the pic is a bit small but i can't be bothered waiting to upload a bigger one) - but im thinkin its a real-deal miracle that Im feeling fine- and Ive learnt a lesson- DONT WEAR CROCS IN A MAIZE FIELD.


Back home my lovely house mate had cooked up a storm- 3 cakes and 3 slices. About 11 adults and 15 kiddies came for afternoon tea and it was lovely - sitting in the shade on the back lawn enjoying each others company, sipping coffee and indulging in cake- they were all dairy free! yay.

Afterwards some people stayed for dinner. What I love about living in a small, isolated place is that it is unpretentious (sp?)- as in- often everyone will pitch in to prepare or clean up a communal meal- and its not a 'show', not 'entertaining guests', its more about spending time with people and community. We had sausages and steamed veggies. We all helped prepare it (even if it was moral support!), pitched in to clean up, and sat around chatting enjoying my second (third? or was it fifth?!) birthday cake for the day- a devine orange poppyseed cake. mmm.

Pretty cool day huh?

The only sad bit was missing my mates wedding in Australia today- and not being able to get a 'telegram-email' through in time cos the internet was down overnight. I guess part of the cost of choosing to live overseas is missing the major landmarks in your friends lives. I wish I coulda been there guys.

Well Im zonked. goodnight. goodbye 26.