VSN and Pretoria

Any trip to Pretoria involves taking care of 3 priorities: Eating, seeing other volunteers, and having fun.

Megan (Education Volunteer SA-16), Katie (Education Volunteer, SA-16), Abby, Keri, and Megan at Tings and Times in Pretoria.

There is ALWAYS a visit to the Indian Restaurant... everyone has their favorite dish and it's nice to sit, eat, and talk in a quiet, relaxed atmosphere. This night was especially nice. Abby, Jess, and I sat and talked over Masala Tea.

The host is always really nice. A few months back he pointed out my dimple and told me that I had to keep smiling. This time around, I discovered he ALSO has a dimple... that's a photo opportunity right there, fo' sho'.

I'm one of the SA-16 representatives for the Volunteer Support Network. VSN is responsible for providing a listening ear and support for volunteers in country (we now have volunteers from 4 different groups- SA-16 to SA-19, 20 will be arriving in July), in addition to advocating for more attention to be focused on the mental health of Peace Corps Volunteers. It's been a really good group of people to work with. This is our whole group as of May 2009.

And this is the 2008-2009 Moetladimo Gang! Christy, me, Nick, and Zana... these are my closest volunteers and some of the best people I know to talk to and walk to the post office with.
Three very special things happened while in Pretoria this last time:
1)Melissa, the PC-SA Medical Officer, threw a braai at her house after our VSN meeting. There were enough volunteers in town for trainings, conferences, and medical appointments that I'm sure there were easily 50 volunteers there all at once. It was really nice to have a chance to all be together in a relaxed environment with GOOD FOOD.
2)While in PC transport to the bank and to medical appointments the new driver, Madala, pointed out the window and said, "There's Zuma." AND THERE WAS JACOB ZUMA, THE NEW PRESIDENT OF SOUTH AFRICA. He was sitting in the backseat of a Mercedes Benz catching up on the headlines in The Daily Sun (which is the only paper offered in Metz and close enough to a tabloid).
3)I spent a lovely evening talking and spending time with Ronda, Justin, and Abby before they headed on a plane back to 'Merica.