Karate Kid

Mary had a very busy weekend on call. I spent the weekend at the hospital escaping only to go to one of the smaller safari parks called Ndumo on Sunday. I didn’t see a leopard. I did see some giraffes, lots of antelope, a baby baby* monkey, and some big big* lizards.

We have stepped up our half-marathon training regime. We are now trying to do some longer runs. Running through the nearby areas creates lots of interest. Often people ask to join in. Last Thursday, Snethembu (18 years old) ran with us.

On Friday, Snethembu arrived at our house at 16.30. We had mentioned that we might go running again. In anticipation, he was all kitted out. But not in athletic gear. Instead he was wearing a Karate/judo suit. On his feet he had a pair of crocs, with the heel straps broken. In his hand he had his mobile phone – ‘music to help us go faster’. Concerned at Snethembu choice of attire and footwear, I suggested he might need to change. He found my reasoning very weak and so off we went.

We didn’t get very far before Snethembu’s knee started hurting. Insistent that he didn’t want to stop, he began to run in a crouched position with one hand on his knee. Minutes later, Snethembu’s phone began to ring. It was his pastor wanting a long discussion about an upcoming conference. Quite unfussed, my running companion began a long conversation.

I am due to be running again with Snethembu this afternoon. I am slightly intrigued about what he will be wearing this week.

* A better way of exaggerating something when speaking English to the Zulu people is to repeat the key word. If Mary needs something done ‘now’ in the hospital, she must ask for it to be done ‘now, now’.