Changes

We left Africa a little over a month ago, our 4 year old daughter is adjusting to her new life in the Caribbean and missing her friends in Swaziland. We left a successful little soap business to embrace family and my husband's new job. The changes are very interesting, both positive and negative, as you would expect.
being a woman in Swaziland, I found, was tiring, always needing to be verified by a father, husband or brother. Even though equal rights were put in place a few years back, it hasn't yet infiltrated into society. Through my eyes, Women in Swaziland are mere commodities, to serve the purpose of men. On the other hand, not only is the country indescribable beautiful, but we have met the most amazing people in Swaziland, both local and foreign.
So, now we are here in the Caribbean I expected a fair amount of sexism, but I have come across a real celebration of Women, and life in general. I have to admit, lots of 'tits and ass' especially the latter, but all in an empowered way. Caribbean women are feisty, proud and strong. Women in Swaziland are also Incredibility strong, they are the ones who keep the country going, without taking any credit for all their hard work, humble and courageous especially considering the circumstances, but unfortunately they are not celebrated, nor are they celebrating their own women-hood.
Anyway, this is a sensitive subject matter, to me and many other people (with different perspectives, I am sure) and I can keep writing about it but I am supposed to give you the low down on our soaping life!
Our little shop in Swaziland has been taken over by Swazi Candles in Malkerns and it was (and still is) the funkiest little shop in the southern Hemisphere. We sold soaps, beauty products and gift packages. If you are in the neighbourhood, please check it out. You will experience my 'second child'. Our little soap shop in Swaziland was set up not long after the birth of our first child! It was created with lots of love and creativity.
Now, we are dealing with chamber of commerce, business banking, equipment buying, material locating, soap packaging, label designing etc etc..The list is so long that for the last month I haven't touched, or even made a bar of soap. It's a balancing act between running around the island, researching on the internet and dealing with a very active four year old.
But things are coming together, bit by bit. I can sense my own excitement. A little vibration floating around me, ready to pounce on me. Soon we are back in action!