This is my workplace: The Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital. Long name, I know. It was built by the victors of World War II (instead of a monument). Strictly a children's hospital, the oldest patient is 14. And it is often followed with the title of "the only specialist's children's hospital in Sub-Saharan Africa".
This is my beloved rotary. It's on the hospital campus, and is where the parents of patients stay. And go figure, I work in a hospital filled with cute and terminally ill children and the people I get attached to are their PARENTS. The I'Khaya is simulatenously my favorite and the most frustrating job I have.
Just for fun; this is the sad loved bench on which I eat lunch everyday.
This is the living space in the apartment into which I just moved last weekend. 14th floor. Roommate Rachel. Lots of interesting cooking experiments.
That's all you get! ...For now. I want to take photos of the inside of the hospital, but technically, I'm not allowed to. The trick is to give your camera to a kid.
Okay, so what's new?
I'm definitely getting into the hospital work now. I'm working on the burns unit, the cardiac/tracheostomy unit, reception, the rotary, and the FRIENDS office. Therefore, I'm getting to know the hospital and everybody in it really well. And making a fatal mistake: getting attached!
I've also been exploring the city a bit more. I found some beautiful gardens right down the road and the church that Desmond Tutu used to preach at. Who knew?!
Speaking of church, I went to the Claremont Assembly today and it was crazy! People crying, jumping, the whole schpiel. I even got a gift bag for being a first-time visitor. I really enjoyed it, though, because it was the most diversity I've seen since I've arrived; and that includes the hospital.
Other minor news:
I switched apartments, a move from the 11th to the 14th floor. I like the new one better.
I was on the minibus and a guy next to me had a seizure - luckily we were next to the hospital. Draaamatic!
The weather has been tempermental, like usual. But Saturday was too gorgeous - a preview of the days to come, I'm told. (Remember seasons are switched.) So Janet took me on a drive looking over False Bay that was SO beautiful! We stopped in Simon's Town, which is a bit touristy but is a big fishing & boating locale. I saw a whale, penguins from afar, and a seal in the harbor. Pretty. Sweet.
Simon's Town
.JPG){kind=small}
1 comment:
hi erin from the Perez's!
we love your blog -- it sounds like you are doing great, and we're not surprised! Africa looks amazing, except for the big bugs. I'd be packing my bags for sure! Just don't get too attached because we miss you and look forward to seeing you in December. Dylan seems to be adjusting seamlessly to Michigan, Tess is having fun playing volleyball, getting ready for homecoming and managing her social life. David and I are her volleyball roadies and are beginning to adjust to a more quiet house . . . wierd to not hear that piano playing all the time! Take care, and we'll watch for another update. I'm sure the patients and parents at the hospital love you -- and we do too!
Rayetta, David & Tess (dylan can sign his own comment! :) )
Post a Comment