second to last shift! waitresses: Candice, me, Vanessa
I have two days left in Grahamstown. I can't believe it. I got pretty sad during my last shift at work - the Rat has been like my second home here. I'm so lucky to have found a job at such a fun place. I can't imagine what my experience here would have been like without all the friends I made at work. Here's the little poem that is on the front page of the menus:
A rat and a parrot devoted their life
To finding the answer to peace without strife.
"There must be a formula, package or plan,"
Said the rat. "Surely God's a Newtonian, man?
When one thing occurs then it starts off another:
Our problems began when Cain murdered his brother.
That started the pattern, that set things in motion
With wars on continent, island and ocean.
If we can't avoid fate, the solution's distinct:
Eat, drink and be merry until we're extinct."
"Oh no!" squawked the parrot in swift protestation.
"I cannot believe in such predestination.
What happened to free will? To choice and decision?
The ideas of Newton I view with derision.
It's mankind not science that causes the fuss.
The reason for all our problems is us.
We're selfish, we're greedy, we never agree.
There's a whole lack of listening. Listen to me!
We all need to talk more, to swap views and chatter.
That's why this world is as mad as a hatter."
So the rat and the parrot, they started a pub
Where good conversation was as fine as the grub.
And wise Isaac Newton forgot the commotion
Caused by gravity, apples, and long laws of motion.
Good food and good talk does make troubles decrease:
That's the Rat and Parrot's new pathway to peace.
last shift! waitresses: Fundie, me, and Melody
That poem pretty much sums up the place. I'm really going to miss the Rat. It wasn't just a waitressing job - although I was grateful for the income - but also I made such good friends there. More often than not we would stay after work to hang out. I'll miss the place... but I'm excited to get out of Grahamstown and travel!
last shift! bartending with Anthea
a sign that hangs in the Rat
bartending at a "lock-in" after hours
We had Thanksgiving yesterday - Anna and I went to our friends Drew and Steph's apartment. There were four Americans, six South Africans, and one Malawian. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday so I was really glad to have other Americans who wanted to do it right. We spent the afternoon drawing hand turkeys like little kids do. It got a little competitive and the South Africans were much more artistically talented than us.
my turkey was a pilgrim
The meal was amazing - I was expecting none of the traditional foods, but somehow Drew and Steph found a turkey in the supermarket (right next to the "Turkduckens": a chicken inside of a duck inside of a turkey... figure that one out). We had mashed potatoes (or smashed potatoes, as they're called in the Fried household), stuffing, all the traditional food. We even had apple and pumpkin pies.
the table after about our 8th platefuls of food
Drew used to be in the Peace Corps in Kazakhstan and he added a Kazakh twist to the American holiday. In Kazakhstan, every time there is a big meal, someone starts the meal with a toast and by the end of the meal, everyone will have had to make one as well. Minor detail: every toast is accompanied by a brandy shot. What a great exchange of cultures. I think that should be a new Thanksgiving tradition. We tried to teach the South Africans the story of Thanksgiving, but the combination of brandy and historical inaccuracies led to some confusion. Basically, they got the nice version of how the Native Americans and the Pilgrims were friends and taught each other things like how to grow corn. But then they got the real version that involved the whole stealing their land and giving them smallpox thing. I think it was educational.
celebrating my wishbone victory
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