Life in Durham

Hey! It has been a while and I guess you were wondering if I was ever going to update you on life in Durham. Well for starters my computer is broken and it won't take USB's so that means I'm unable to load up some pics.

We have been to two churches since we got here and it is our idea to go around and experience the American Church scene. We went to the University Chapel and if you think the S African 'black' church is high church wait till you see these guys. Everyone is in robes including the ushers at the door. The procession is so Anglican that you really feel the depth and fear of being inside a church. Something about it is a little 'scary.' Oh of course the people dressed in their Sunday best. I'll tell you a little bit more about that later.

Then we went twice now to another African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME). This was going to be the African-American experience. Well I was told this will be a mild one. This is a church steeped in history of Durham and a well to do kind of church. Now this too also extremely high church with Robes and the ushers (Men in clack suites, the one Sunday then the next was Ladies in white; all of course wearing gloves, the works!) This time anticipating it might be like the other church I had asked what must I wear. I was told it really doesn't matter, just your normal church clothes. So off I went in my 'jeans and shirt' I really have hung around white folk too much! These folk were in their Sunday best. The hats; it looked like the July Handicap and the suites. That's when I said: "yeah Sifiso you bloody 'Oreo!'" You call me that I will kill you!

In both these churches the worship has been wonderfully in line with its style. The sermons in general have been very good. People are really putting a lot in the preparation of their time of worship, which is wonderful.

Enuff, Enuff about church enuff!

Oh I may have told you, women around here think dressing if for covering only the essentially private parts. There are these skirts that can't be nigger than 5 inches that are being worn around campus. I thought I was the only one with a twisted mind but was glad when Wil commented and called them 'Big Belts.' I am st too scared to take the photos coz u don't wanna be arrested for harassment in the USA and then make headline news in SA. Lawyers would have a field day; lawyers around here must be starving coz there is an advertisement for you to sue who ever coughed and looked in your direction even! It's disgusting!!!

We went to a 'football game!' An American idea of Rugby played by overly padded men throwing a ball around yet calling it football. The Duke team is so bad no one watches them any more, but being the first game of the season; everyone came out to support and we led until half time. They have no staying power these boys; it's like Bafana Bafana! LOL!!!

The books are keeping me so busy that I actually think I am not coping just yet. I have handed in an assignment so will be able to gauge myself. This one is gonna be one of those that just can't come in the middle. It will either be very good or very bad! I sleep at 03H00 in the morning everyday and am up at about 07H30. I am gonna grow thin but my head so beeg with all the info I'm shoving into it (pun intended 2).

You may be interested in what courses I am doing: Christian Theology (Prof. J. Carter); System in Theology (Prof. G. Wainwright); New Testament Theology (Prof. Rowe) and Anglican Social Ethics (Profs. Wells and Hauerwas). Get this you all. Professor Wainwright won't be in class on Monday because he has been invited by his holiness the Pope to a 1400 anniversary of some celebration church father. This man and the Pope are on fist name basis. One sits at the feet of some great theologians over here although I think they somehow also need to come and seat at the feet of Africa to somehow learn of the 'real world.'

By now you have gathered that there is actually very little life outside of church and study going on in this little backward town. This is country side. Public transport is bad. Shops are too far and there is no life! So much so that for those who know me; I'm at it again. On Friday; I'll be throwing a party for those of us from the Southern African region to just come and chill! It's gonna be a Pool Party. You are invited!