Bulungula 2

It is really most pleasing when you get a group of people who are comfortable with the same level of chat. I have always been most happy when talking absolute crap, at times utilising sarcasm. There have been instances when i have enjoyed an irreverent moment or a joke about bums and wee. These times are so precious when shared with others. Yes i am 30, but that does not seem to matter.

Tom, Monique, Kim-Kimeny and I walked to Bulungula on Friday after work. And we verily walked home today (Monday). At 5 and a half hours each way, it was a bit of a mission, but well worth it and better than driving. Indeed, we felt like heroes when we did the last wade through the river and walked up the short hop to a roaring fire pit. Word had spread of this merry gang of four, who were audacious enough to walk, and arrive in the dark. Head torches are very good things and we pretty much knew the way, but finishing work at 1pm did not give us much hope of getting there in the light.

The next day tom and i went on the herbal healer tour. We were very pleased to find out that it involved A LOT OF WALKING. But it was fascinating, with a good, vibrant guide and a lovely temperamented healer chap. We were shown 32 different trees or shrubs and told what they could heal. Most of it was innocuous enough, but a cold moment was experienced by all when we looked at the tree bark that treats TB. I just couldn’t believe it, I’m afraid. And Kim has told of two children who died after being treated by a traditional healer person. It is a tricky area. I asked if there was anything for HIV in the forest. The answer was not clear, but he did say that he had never had anyone come to him with HIV. We left it at that.

JZ didn’t get his two thirds, then. Which is really good for the country, mostly in a symbolic way, as I am sure that they can buy off opponents to get things through parliament.

Bulungula is a really cool place. Kim may have mentioned it before as we drove there last time. It is very hippytastic with a well thought out vibe. I am constantly impressed by the people who run these backpacker places. They manage to run a business, whilst giving an air of chilled-outness. Poor Dave, the boss, was on the phone to yet another cancellation. Laid back kicks you in the ass when you have turned away several people, only to have your concrete booking not turn up. I sometimes feel like i am not cool enough to hang out at places like that, but Bulungula has got it right and we played Scrabble in the midst of it all, feeling smug because we are nearly local.

Bulungula also has a community project organisation called the Bulungula Incubator. They are similar to us (Jabulani), but a bit more mature and with a different market. We have a hospital, they have tourism. We also have a larger catchment area than their solo small village. Still, there are things to share and I hope to learn from them and give them some of our good ideas too.

One month until the Comrades Marathon and Monique tells me that the old school version had an 11 hour time limit, not 12 as it is now. Cheers, Monique. So now I have a new bar. And if you don’t finish within 12 hours the clock stops and everyone goes home. You don’t get a t-shirt. And i need a new t-shirt.