Safe in South Africa

Dubai, UAE    
    

Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
The tallest building in the world since 2010.

 On our way to South Africa, we spent a day and night in Dubai, which is probably one of the easiest airports to travel through.  It took us less than 10 minutes to step off the plane, get a free visa, and exit the airport.  Dubai is an interesting place with surprising contrasts: the extremes of conservatism (Muslim women covered in all black except for their eyes) alongside monuments to materialism (the Dubai mall, a 4 story monster with over 1200 stores, like Gucci and Louis Vuitton, 300 restaurants, an indoor waterfall, and the largest outdoor water fountain show in the world – all open until midnight). 


Wentworth in Durban, South Africa

     Upon arrival, I did not think Wentworth was that bad at all compared to other places that I have been to or how I imagined it to be.  However, after we were taken to some of the nicer areas in Durban, the contrast was obvious.  Where we live would be like Compton and some other places like Newport Beach. 

     Everyone tells us that it is safe here, but they also all have personal stories of attacks and robberies.  One man had 7 cars stolen! 

     The surroundings are beautiful and lush.  Although it is a big urban city, there is still a lot of nature, trees and animals.  I would compare Durban more to a city in Maui rather than Los Angeles.

What’s your living situation?

     
We live on a hill and we can see the Indian Ocean from the hospital compound, which is spread over at least 1 square mile.  We live about 1 mile from the nearest beach, but people say it is too dangerous to walk there. 

      Our small brick house ("the Matron's Cottage") has 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom.  It was built during WWII when the hospital served as a British military hospital.  We pay a little over $100 US/month (it looks like it is worth about that). We have a grassy yard that surrounds the house and the monkeys like to play on our trees and roof, or even come into our house. We have also been trying to make friends with the kittens in our yard.

      In the kitchen we have a microwave, mini fridge and hot plate.  The electricity and water have been reliable.  We each have a little flimsy cot in our room, which is not working too well for Akbar.  Our bathroom situation is quite sad.  We have a toilet room and a shower room, but both rooms have major leakage problems.  Water comes up from the ground if we flush the toilet or use the shower so it smells like a 3^rd world urinal with mildew….GEEEEE ROSS. The huge blessing/miracle is that the hospital sent over a maintenance man and contractor and they are completely gutting our bathrooms over the next few weeks.

What’s the weather like?

     We are now in the beginning of summer; it stays warm until May.  The days have ranged from 60F to 85F. Like at home, the days are warmer and nights cooler, requiring a jacket. It is not humid, but less dry than California.  It is sunny most days with a light rain in the late afternoon which is normal in the summer.

How’s work?

     Unfortunately, we have not been able to start work yet. Yes, we have been in this frustrating process for almost a year now.  Since it is a teaching hospital, we have been going to lectures daily and learning more about HIV and TB. About 60-80% of the patients admitted have HIV and/or TB.  We are at the last step with the S. African Health Professionals Council, which can take several weeks.  We definitely need prayer for God’s perfect timing because once December hits, the country goes to a stand still for a 1.5 month summer break.

South African Fact:

Indians have been living in South Africa for about 150 years. They were first brought in by the British for labor.