Tag Archives: peace corps swaziland

Wednesday photo: Death and life

Posted on January 24, 2018 by elliewick

I woke up on Tuesday to the news that Hugh Masekela, a South African musician who performed at Bushfire last year, had died. Watching him perform was beautiful, especially because of the way a 78-year-old musician was still rocking on … Continue reading →

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The books of 2017

Posted on January 16, 2018 by elliewick

Peace Corps service comes with a lot of free time. At the beginning of my service I read less because I was trying so hard to integrate into my community. Now I am taking better care of my self by … Continue reading →

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How I spent November’s living allowance

Posted on December 25, 2017 by elliewick

November was an expensive month in the clothing department. I bought a dress made in traditional fabric in South Africa and then I had a tailor make three other pieces. And I still have so much fabric left from my … Continue reading →

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The chicken diaries: Slaughter time

Posted on December 22, 2017 by elliewick

I became a parent to two chickens I named Sitfwatfwa (snow) and Thandi (love) in January 2017. This is their story. Make told me it was time for one of my roosters to die. It took a few days for … Continue reading →

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How I spent October’s living allowance

Posted on December 21, 2017 by elliewick

October was a strange month. It involved lots of travels to Mauritius and my parents’ arrival. Apparently I mostly purchased food.

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Introducing my parents to Swazi song and dance

Posted on December 18, 2017 by elliewick

For as much as I wanted work experience in Africa, my time as a PCV in Swaziland has largely been spent with me wholeheartedly embracing Swazi culture. After a few stops on our way to Swaziland from the Johannesburg airport, we started our … Continue reading →

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Wednesday photo: Sibebe

Posted on December 13, 2017 by elliewick

Swaziland is home to Sibebe, the world’s second largest monolith and the largest exposed granite pluton in the world. I finally hiked Swaziland’s highest rock and it was a success.

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A traditional Swazi wedding, part three: Umtsimba

Posted on December 7, 2017 by elliewick

Umtsimba celebrations return to the groom’s family’s homestead for the final event of a Swazi traditional wedding (the first is the teka and the second is the lobola). This ceremony celebrates the completion of the lobola payment, which can occur … Continue reading →

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Wednesday photo: Ndebele village

Posted on December 6, 2017 by elliewick

The first stop on my parents’ visit to Southern Africa was to visit a village I had been dreaming about since eighth grade. I made a beautiful piece of abstract art that year with inspiration from a National Geographic article … Continue reading →

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The curious incident of the rodent in the night-time

Posted on November 30, 2017 by elliewick

I have spent a lot of time wondering whether or not this story is true. Could it just be a figment of my Malarone-altered dreams, or do I really have a roommate? In the week that this has occurred, my … Continue reading →

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