Working Holiday

Today is Friday May 1, and can you believe that it is another national holiday in South Africa? Today, this past Monday and last Wednesday were all holidays, and most of the schools were closed for two weeks around Easter. It’s no wonder things get done so slowly around here. But, I think this is the last holiday during our stay here.

Although the rest of the country has the day off, the IBM teams are working on each of our projects. Right now I am working from the deck of our lodge, looking over a lush, tropical backyard listening to the dozens of neighborhood dogs barking, birds singing songs I’ve never heard before and swatting away some funky red bee thing (they keep finding me). What’s amazing is how hot it is – and supposedly it’s the fall going into winter! I am in the shade and the thermometer says its 85 but I would bet its 95 in the sun. It’s the kind of hot that makes you not want to move, yet we see hundreds of people walking to work everyday because they don’t have cars and the buses are too crowded. Most have on layers of clothes nd full length pants or dresses and are carrying bags or supplies or kids. I don’t know how they do it.

Oh yeah, and the humidity is making me look like Monica from that episode of Friends when they go to Jamaica. One of my teammates is having her hair done tomorrow local-style, so maybe I should do the same??? : )

For your enjoyment I’ve posted the view of the sun setting from my room that I get to enjoy every night : )



The postings on this site are my own and don’t necessarily represent IBM’s positions, strategies or opinions.