The Number #1 Ladies Detective Agency

My friend who was working as a safari guide in Botswana suggested that I read one of the novel’s from Alexander McCall Smith’s #1 Ladies Detective Agency series. Although I was excited about reading a book set in Botswana, I must admit that the storyline did not interest me and I didn’t get further than the first chapter. Recently, I learned that the BBC was broadcasting a series based on the books so I decided to give it another try and was pleasantly surprised. I immediately bonded with the lead female character, Mma Ramotswe, who is positive and independent. I also love Mma Makutsi, her overachieving secretary. The series was filmed in Botswana and offers a great deal of insight into the traditional beliefs. So far, I have watched the two-hour pilot and three of the 60 minutes episodes and am hooked. For more information about the series, you can visit their official website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00jw6h4

Walk to School

Lateness to school is a big problem in the South Jersey high school where I work. I don’t have a great deal of empathy for these students. Most of them stay up late on the computer or play video games, so they don't get up in time to catch the bus or their ride to school. I can’t imagine how they would contend with having to get to school if they had to walk—sometimes 5 kilometers—as they do in many areas of Africa. I found a great video documenting a walk to an African school: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bigcat/video/#. I particularly liked the one excuse the Masaai student offered for being late: “I ran into an elephant.” My students couldn't top that.

Carnivore Restaurant

When I was in Nairobi, I had the pleasure of dining in Carnivore’s restaurant, rated by Restaurant Magazine as one of the best 50 restaurants in the world. This all-you-can-eat buffet features charcoal roasted beef, chicken and lamb as well as exotic game such as ostrich and crocodile. Before a bane was placed on some of the game, delicacies such as zebra, warthog, eland and giraffe were offered. Patrons could also try roasted mopane worms, which I did, but I only managed to eat half of the black morsel. On the outskirts of Johannesburg, there is another Carnivore’s restaurant that still offers a great deal of game.

To view a video of the Nairobi restaurant, you can visit their web site: https://wdexchange.wdeptford.k12.nj.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.tamarind.co.ke/restaurant.php?id=1

Jim Zuckerman's Photos

One of my favorite things to do is look at the photos taken by photographers who have visited the same places I have. Last night, I viewed the collection of photos that Jim Zuckerman took while visiting Africa. His work has appeared in 11 books, and he runs photography trips and offers online photo courses. I love the opening crocodile photo and his lion in sepia. His leopard, lilac breasted roller, and giraffes in front of a stormy sky are excellent: http://www.corporatefineart.com/-/corporatefineart/gallery.asp?cat=397&pID=1&row=15

South African Bank Robber

In the seventies, Andre Stander, a South African police officer, was dissatisfied with the corruption in the force as well as the prevailing system of apartheid and began robbing banks during his lunch break. Later in the day, he found it amusing to investigate his own crimes. In 2003, an American director produced Stander, based on this cult hero’s life. Stander was eventually imprisoned, but escaped and formed a gang with two other inmates. After fleeing to the States, he was killed by a police officer who tried to take him into custody in Florida. To learn more about Stander, you can visit the following sites: http://www.africacrime-mystery.co.za/books/fsac/chp20.htm or http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Movies/08/11/stander.hughes/index.html

Movie Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r04uE3aKkmY

Athol Fugard’s Sizwe Bansi is Dead

Thursday night I saw Athol Fugard’s Sizwe Bansi is Dead at the Lantern Theatre. It was first performed 35 years ago and is now running for the month of February in Philadelphia. I was interested in seeing the production since I recently read Master Harold and the Boys with my students. I had also enjoyed watching Tsotsi, the movie based on the one novel Fugard wrote. Sizwe Bansi is Dead is about a man facing the constraints of passbooks during the apartheid era in South Africa. The play wasn’t originally written down because it could have been used against the authors in the South African court. Fugard's heroic efforts are to be commended. I thoroughly enjoyed the performance and hope to see Master Harold performed someday.

Wildcast

After renting Kim Wolhuter’s National Geographic video Predators at War, I explored his Wildcast website. I was so impressed that I subscribed right away. The site is exceptional because it combines writing, photography, and video. Kim presently films from a reserve in Zimbabwe. The viewer can read about his daily activities in the bush as well as view the accompanying photos and video. Kim will later incorporate some of this material into his next film. I view the latest posting every morning when I arrive at school and appreciate how it makes me feel close to the bush. To learn more about Kim, you can visit his website: www.kimwolhuter.com or view some of his photos or videos: www.flickr.com/photos/wildcast/ or www.youtube.com/profile?user=wildcastr