Yesterday I went on a shopping spree. The weather was beautiful; sunny with a high in the low 60's. I asked to borrow my roommate's bike and I was off to run some much needed erans.
So quick story about my bike. I had a bike, i wasn't that nice, but it worked and was only $60. Friday I discovered it was stolen. Last Saturday my bike got another flat tire so on Sunday I wheeled my bike down to the shop I bought it from. For some reason I thought they would be open on Sundays, maybe I more hoped they'd be open. Well, they were closed. I didn't want to push my bike all the way back to my residence so I chained it up right outside the grocery store next to the bike shop. I figured that it would be just fine considering it had a flat tire and all. Besides I had a few hours before class on Monday and I could get it fixed then. Well I never made it to the shop on Monday because one of my meetings ran late and the next chance I got to go was on Friday. Part of me was still expecting to see my bike there, but it was obviously gone. I take full responsibility for it because somebody probably thought it was abandoned. That, or the bike shop is way more shady than I expected, saw that it was one of their bikes, cut the lock, and resold the bike. Considering I was planning on donating it to someone in the township when I was done, I like to think it's already there being put to good use. In case you are wondering, I'm not going to buy another bike.
Okay so back to my shopping spree. I went and checked out a nearby adventure store and nearly bought the place out. I could spend hours looking around stores like this one! However, I was on a mission to find waterproof pants (for working with the cheetahs) and a hiking backpack for my trip to Kenya. Well I got the pants and found a bag that they will be getting in on Tuesday. Then I also found some other "essentials" like a flashlight, a dry sack, a 2 liter water pouch, a super small super absorbant towel and a couple other odds and ends. After spending R1169 (~$150) there, I was off to another adventure store to find hiking socks. Unfortunately they were closed on weekends, but I did buy a handfull of postcards, some souveniors for friends at home, and a handcrafted Rogue hat (R435 ~$50).
I have always wanted a Rogue hat and used the excuse that I needed a full-brim hat for my safari, plus they are only a fraction of the cost here because they don't have to import the leather. So now I just need a whip and I can be the next Indiana Jones! What's more is that over spring break I will be crossing the rope bridge seen on his Temple of Doom film. I was so stoked about my hat and I was going to wear it proudly around town, even if my friend Sarah felt slightly embarrassed!
So after our shopping excursion and me now content with my awesome hat, Sarah and I headed to lunch at a local cafe called Mug and Bean. We were on our way, and as usual there were people begging for money right outside the grocery store next to our destination. This older man approached us holding one child and walking with two others. He asked for money to feed his children. Sarah and I both apologized saying we didnt have any change and went and sat at an outside table at Mug and Bean. I don't believe in giving street beggers money because I never know if they are going to use it for its intended purpose or to buy alcohol. Even if they have kids with, I'm usually unaffected because it is a common scam. With that said, I am completely for giving the poor food, clothing, or a night's accomodation.
We were sitting down waiting to order and this man and his children were still standing in front of the store asking for money with no luck at all. The children were thin, dirty, and ragged. The man looked disheartened depressed, and defeated. I couldn't help but feel guilty for not helping. So, after ordering I went up to the man and asked him what he needed. His response: milk, rice, oil, and sugar. Okay, I was convinced that this man wasn't trying to scam me and I wanted to help. (I will admitt, had the kids not been present, I probably would not have felt guilty at all) I took the family inside with me and we went shopping.
We bought: 2 Liters of milk, 4 kilos of rice, 2 containers of peanut butter, 1 kilo of frozen meat, oil, sugar, and 2 kilos of apples (1 kilo= 2.2 lbs). The best part was when we walked in, pointed at teh apples, and asked the kids if they liked them. The young girl and boy eagerly shook their heads yes with huge grins on their faces.
The groceries came to R171... $21.50.
After I paid and was wishing the fmaily a good day, I could sense an immediate change of demenor in my cashier. Realizing that noe of those groceries were for me, she was slightly stunned and I sensed she had a newfound respect for me. I'm sure she is familiar with the situation the family was in. She was young and black, and not to be judgemental, but in all likelyhood from the same township. When I left the man thanked me and the young girl and boy were all smiles.
I returned back to my table and you would think that I would have felt a sense of accomplishment or maybe even pride in what I had done. Instead, I still felt guilty. I had just spent $20 and helped to feed a family for about a week. Only $20. Just 30 minutes earlier I was pumped because I had bought this awesome hat for $50. Suddenly I wasn't all that excited about my hat.
I am still struck by this incident. 20 dollars, that's all that it took. I'm not going to lie, this may have been just a one time thing. It is difficult to decide who legitimately needs the help, and even more difficult to decide what the best way to help them is. I don't know. This situation still leaves me pondering.
