If you’re new to this blog series (and/or you live under a boulder) and don’t know what’s happening with South Africa’s 21-day lockdown, my first post has all the details. Or read all my lockdown journal entries.
Today is Day 3 of South Africa’s COVID-19 lockdown. Today was harder than yesterday.
The Ministry of Health has not yet released new COVID-19 case statistics for today. I’m bracing for a big jump tomorrow.
Today’s thoughts:
3:00 a.m.: Wake up with back pain – dull ache just below my shoulder blade. Might have strained it while climbing the koppie on Day 1. Freak out: If anything bars me from exercise during this lockdown I may truly lose my mind. Can’t sleep.
7:30 a.m.: It’s Sunday. Get up, make coffee, eat Sweet Tea & Chickadee biscuit (the rest are frozen so I’ll be forced to ration them), take ibuprofen for sore back. Read news, feel depressed.
8:00 a.m.: Walk around garden with cats. Feel better.
9:00 a.m.: Meditate, stretch, bath, wash hair. Lay on bed, listen to podcasts, stare at ceiling.
11:30 a.m.: Brunch-time Zoom with Julie and Julia. Whatsapp call with Michelle.
1:00 p.m.: Hear Pickitup truck on street. Trash pickup excitement! The truck is two days late, which is totally understandable. Never have I felt so grateful for the luxury of waste removal. Rush to open gate and wave at sanitation workers to thank them for their loyal service. One worker sees me, waves back, and walks toward me. I realize he’s hoping for a tip and I don’t have one, nor do I want to walk close to another human. Wave again, back away, say thanks, close gate. Feel guilty.
1:30 p.m.: Eat salad. Record weekly Patreon voice note. Write Patreon blog post about my February trip to Kameel, which now feels like 10,000 years ago. Read news stories. Sob.
5:00 p.m.: Blog time.
7:00 p.m. (now): My back feels better.
I’m trying to make these posts a bit more concise, as I realize I’m going to burn out if I don’t slow down a bit and figure out how to finish writing earlier in the evening.
Today’s worthy cause is a fundraiser for the African Reclaimers Organisation, (ARO), which represents the country’s informal recyclers (or reclaimers). If you live in Joburg you know our sanitation system depends on these informal workers, who sort through people’s trash and walk incredibly long distances pulling massive trolleys stacked with recyclable waste. They barely earn enough money to survive.
Currently the recyclers are not allowed to work during the lockdown. (In fact all recycling services, both formal and informal, have been shut down. I can’t bear to put my recycling into the regular trash so I’m currently hoarding it until the end of the lockdown.) Read more here.
There are millions people suffering in Joburg but these men and women are at the top of the list. If you’d like to support them please send your donation to:
Khanya College
Bank: Nedbank
Account no: 1908942428
Universal branch code: 198765
Ref: ARO solidarity
The ARO has also now set up an online tool for donations: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/aro-solidarity.
If you’re overseas and want to donate, please contact me privately and we can work something out. Thanks to reader Jenny Ricks for alerting me to this campaign.
Be safe everyone.
How have I never blogged about 44 Stanley Avenue, the coolest shopping and dining complex in Joburg, which is only five minutes from my house?
I guess it’s wrong to say I’ve never blogged about 44 Stanley; I’ve mentioned it countless times over the years (see here and here) when writing about specific restaurants or shops that are there. But I’ve never written a dedicated post about 44 Stanley as a destination and it’s about time I did – especially now, with the holidays upon us.
I’ve been dreadfully uninspired lately, struggling to think of anything I want to blog about despite having a long list of great ideas (many of which you, my readers, provided in September). I’m finding it hard to feel positive about life at the moment. But on Saturday Thorsten and I got the chance to visit Indwe Park, an indigenous garden and sculpture park in Braamfontein, and I knew I had my topic for today.
In 2020, I published a blog post with tips for Americans living in South Africa who wanted to vote in the U.S. presidential election. I thought about simply resharing that post this year. But then I realized: 1) I want to write a U.S. election post that will be fun and informative for everyone, not just other Americans; and 2) Believe it or not, the U.S. presidential election stakes are even higher in 2024 than they were in 2020. So I’m introducing you to some really cool Americans in Joburg – one who I’ve known forever and two who I just met – and tell you a bit about who they are, why they live here, and why they vote.
Use the share button below if you liked it.
It makes me smile, when I see it.