Rural Zululand 101

You know you’re in Ingwavuma when:

1. The potholes on the tarred road are so hazardous that you feel safer on the dirt road.
2. The range of roadkill possibilities extends from cat and dog to snake… and if you’re really unlucky, you might hit a goat or a cow. Oops!
3. There is no pavement, so you also have to constantly dodge people walking on the road. And on a sunny day, they are all holding bright umbrellas. Festive!
4. Spar Supertrader (the only grocery store) has chicken heads, chicken feet, chicken guts etc etc… but no chicken fillets!
5. There are goats outside the Spar Supertrader that are randomly munching cabbage… and no-one bats an eyelid.
6. The people at the little Chinese shop can speak one or two words of Zulu, but no English.
7. There is good cell phone reception and fast internet connection, but often no water coming out of the taps.
8. We talk about “going to the city” as though it’s the most exciting occurrence of the month.
9. There are many idyllic beach holiday locations within 2 hours drive which is really amazing for affordable week-end getaways, but on a hot day in town there isn’t anywhere to swim within an hour’s drive. “Swimming without a pool”? It’s the only way, there isn’t one here!
10. After almost 4 weeks, you still can’t get used to the amazing beauty all around. What Ingwavuma lacks in 1^st world conveniences, it makes up for in natural beauty! What a privilege.