Contains Nuts.

written April 5th in transit to South Africa.


I have been traveling for 2 days.
London to Dubai.
Dubai to Capetown.
Overnight in Capetown and hosted by the most generous peoplewho filled us with delicious South African food.
boo-boo-ee-tee
curry
steamed pumpkin
Capetown flight cancelled.
Capetown to Port Elizabeth.
Port Elizabeth to Durban.

I have been flying above South Africa all afternoon.
Much of the flight from Capetown was spent along the coast.
I found the water so beautiful it felt as though I was looking down upon a second sky. Only it didnt make me dizzy at all.
On the last leg of the journey to Durban, I received a package of typical airline cashew nuts. My second of the day.
Its empty package sits before me now.
As I ripped it open, however, my eyes happened to catch a few notices on the back amongst fine printed nutritional facts.
A capital V for "Vegan" and "!" for "Contains Nuts."

I stared for a couple of seconds at the hilarity of such a statement.
Not only was te package clearly labeled "cashews," there was a transparent section in the packaging that allowed one to clearly view the contents.
I´ve heard that nut allergies can be quite severe, but why the need for a warning SO obvious?
Wasnt the label enough?
The window?

Suddenly, uneffectedly, and honestly, my mind went to my first impressions of South Africa. The natives in the airport returning home were mostly white South Africans. Tanned and beautiful laden with expensive looking luggage. Expensive clothes. Expensive everything.
The airport was clean and spacious. The cars that came to fetch us were new.
The colored family we stayed with lived in a nice neighborhood. They had internet and a television.
Their 10 year old daughter Erin was watching Hannah Montana when we arrived. It made me feel strange.
I unconsciously looked for signes of poverty. Lingering evidence of a pre-Mandela nation.
A few shantytowns met my eyes. A few black south Africans on foot to and from work.
But mostly, a highly developed city. Despite the damages of apartheid, one of the wealthiest cities in Africa, perhaps even the world.
Almost immediately I chided myself. Do I want evidence of poverty?
Something to snap a photo of to incite clicking tongues and pity from back home? Perhaps a sign would have been better. A label reading:
"DONT WORRY. THERE IS POVERTY HERE!"

Wasnt the history enough?
The news?
The movies?

The guilt is a bit much at the moment, so, in a bit I will think about something else.
I am landing in Durban now. The pilot is circling us around and I can see the coastine again to my left. Green countryside lies to my right.

When an American travels halfway around the world to Africa, they dont want to see freeways, shopping malls, and cabel television.
We...I.... am harshly reminded that Iam not simply judging a place with these preconceived notions. I am inadvertently judging humanity. Yes. PEOPLE.

Get over yourself Kaylan. Get over yourself America.




A short 10 days since then, my opinions have already changed and expanded.
Work on Hope Farm is long, hard, and good. An update on current happenings will come hopefully next week. Just know that my muscles are sore!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjNms_H1sJM&feature=relateda
I have listened to this song for YEARS. I believe I was 14 when I first heard it. 22 sounded so old. It still does even though it will be upon me in less than 4 days.
21 is somehow 21. 22 is....an unavoidable twenty-SOMEthing.

Wish I had what I need
To be on my own
'Cause I feel so defeated
And I'm feeling alone

And it all seems so helpless
And I have no plans
I'm a plane in the sunset
With nowhere to land

And all I see
It could never make me happy And all my sand castles
Spend their time collapsing

Let me know that You hear me
Let me know Your touch
Let me know that You love me
Let that be enough

It's my birthday tomorrow
No one here could now
I was born this Thursday
22 years ago

And I feel stuck
Watching history repeating
Yeah, who am I?
Just a kid who knows he's needy

Let me know that You hear me
Let me know Your touch
Let me know that You love me
And let that be enough


.....twenty something or twenty someONE, there´s still plenty of world left to save.
Dont worry. I´m ON it.