on way to swaziland via turboprop

This is a "turboprop" plane. These smaller planes are just for "commuter"flights. For example, people who live in Swaziland can work in Johannesburg easily enough -- only 45 minutes by plane.

There is a short video attached to this, which shows you how noisy (and fun!) these small planes are. There is a second short video which is from the inside of the plane and shows you the Swazi landscape as the plane comes down.

JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT: For your science/math studies, find out how an engine works. Compare the two engine systems in a 747 (long haul plane) with a turboprop (short distances).

welcome to swaziland : nature in my bedroom

My first night in Swaziland. About to go to sleep. Walked into my apartment bedroom. Saw this on the wall. Backed away slowly. Locked door. Went to sleep in second bedroom. Haven't returned. Told my Embassy liasion Marjorie -- she looked at photo and said to me, "welcome to Africa!"

flight plans change -- not for the better!

My husband Jeff was too hasty in his summary of my travel to Johannesburg! One thing you always hear when traveling by airplane is "take a spare change of clothing with you" and "always take your medicines" with you. Well, I didn't follow that sage advice close enough, because sure enough, when we were flying over Atlanta, there was a rainstorm (a remnant of the recent hurricane) and the plane took longer than expected to land. When it finally landed sometimes you have to run through the airport terminal to reach the "gate" (door) to your next flight. Well, I made it to that gate 5 minutes too late. So, I had to get in line to get another ticket on another plane to try to reach Johannesburg, South Africa.

I did get another ticket, and got on the KLM (turqoise blue airplane which you'll see in a photo), but my luggage did not make it! The two bags got left behind and did not arrive in Johannesburg for another day and a half after I did. I was VERY TIRED of wearing the same clothes I had had on for more than 3 days straight! I did wash my underwear in the sink, which is something travelers do a lot, but I sure wished I had remembered to take one spare pair with me!

JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT: Make two columns and write down the pros and cons of what you think airplane travel is like. Do you think you would like to travel by airplane? Explain your answer in written form and draw a picture of what your airplane might look like and where you might like to travel.

Laura's Swaziland Adventure Begins

Laura's trip to Swaziland began July 25. She travelled from her home in Milford, CT to La Guardia Airport in New York. Her first flight was to Atlanta, Georgia. There she transferred to another plane bound for Africa. The flight from Atlanta to South Africa made a fuel stop in Senegal, and then continued on to Johannesburg, South Africa. Laura plans to spend two days in Johannesburg before flying on to her final destination, Manzini, Swaziland.

video 3c: more medications for southern Africa

video 3b: vaccinations and medications for travel to southern Africa

video 3a: meeting with travel nurse at Passport Health

video 2: "secret" spaces in New Haven: Passport Health

Swaziland in the news today

There are many conflicts occuring throughout the world on large scales today, leaving smaller -- though perhaps not insignificant events -- receiving scant attention from the media. Hence my suprise to hear Swaziland in the news today on the BBC. According to the news program, Swazi women protested the fact that eight of King Mswati III's wives went on a shopping spree to Thailand, in order to buy special things for the upcoming 40th birthday of the King and to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Swazi leaving the British Commonwealth as a Protectorate (colony) and becoming a self-governing country (independant).

We will be talking about Swazi government -- which is considered the last absolute monarchy in Africa -- and the role of different people in Swazi society.

You can read more about this topic at:

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24219658-663,00.html

video 1: new school year intro

The Swaziland National Anthem

JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT: You will want to read through the Swaziland National Anthem (read in both Siswati and English). Then, find the words to the American National Anthem and compare. Are there any similarities? Why do people write national anthems? Are they important, or not?

Listen to the music while you read the words. Does the music sound southern African? Yes or no? What is the history of Swaziland and how might this have influenced the music chosen for the national anthem?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3yyElRTQr8


Nkulunkula, ninikati wetibusiso temaSwati,
Slyatibonga tonkhe tinhlanhla;
Sibonga iNggwenyama yetfhu,
Livem netintsha, nemifula.
Busisa tiphatshimandla takaNggwane;
Nguwe weduwa Somandla wetfhu.
Sinike kuhlakanipba lokungenabucili;
Sinise, usicinise, Simakadze.

Translation in English:

O God, bestower of tbe blessings of the Swazi,We are thankful for all our good fortune; We give praise and thanks for our King, And for our country, its hills and rivers. Bless those in authority in our land; Thou only art our Almighty, Give us wisdom without guile; Establish and strengthen us, Thou Everlasting.

What is the purpose of our collaborative program?

5th Grade Celentano students, welcome to Swaziland! My name is Laura Macaluso and I am a teacher and museum professional who likes to travel and study culture, especially in the form of art and architecture. This fall I was awarded a grant from the Fulbright program to travel to Swaziland and work in their National Museum. Ms. Kiel and I have been friends since 4th grade, and together we have designed this great program for you, which I hope you will enjoy. We have so many good things to share with you -- including visits to the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History and the Yale University Art Gallery, the opportunity to talk with Swazis over this blog, and plenty of time to read, write and create art inspired by the great continent of Africa!


Ms. Kiel will be working very hard to give you as many opportunities as possible to share in this adventure. In Swaziland, I will be working very hard to find interesting objects, places, animals and people to talk about. By looking at these objects together -- whether a rock painting, a wooden mask or a clay jar -- and asking lots of questions, we can find out why it was made, who used it, and what role the object played in Swazi society.

What is required of you is that you do your best to listen well and actively participate in this once-in-a-lifetime program. Ms. Kiel and I both hope that this program will inspire you to look outside of the familiar -- what you see everyday at school, at home, in New Haven. At the same time, with a new view of the world, you can look again at your familiar surroundings and see something different...something deeper.

Flags of Swaziland and the United States

JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT: Here are the flags of Swaziland and the United States together. Study and compare the meaning behind the colors and symbols chosen for each. How do you feel about each flag? Would you like to take away or add anything to either flag? Do you know what the flag of the State of Connecticut looks like? Does CMA have a flag? If not, design one with symbols that are meaningful.

(Note: this particular American flag was created by the well-known American artist Jasper Johns and is located close by at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City).