Welcome to Jeffrey's Bay!
And yep, we're a couple minutes walk from the beautiful Indian Ocean.
I played in the waves yesterday, and it was CRAZY. I'll be honest, I basically almost drowned... but not quite! Just swallowed about half the ocean, and flailed a lot. But I'm alive, no worries.
We're staying at a camp/center type dealio, in little huts kind of, 12 girls per "house". It's decent. We're right by the main drag where you find all the Billabong, Roxy, Quicksilver, Ripcurl factory outlets! WHOOP! There's some gooood shopping going down. And lotsa coffee shops too!
So the latest on me...
Two days ago, Monday, we were supposed to Bungee Jump... but our bus has loved causing us trouble all semester, and it broke down. So we spent the day in a random town, missed the jump, and it's re-scheduled for TOMMORROW (thursday). So whoever reads this, you can think of me and my team as we all jump off a bridge together! BAH!
Friday I hope to take part in a 2hr surfing lesson... that shall be an adventure.
Kathryn I can't wait to tell you about that!
Alright, so my last blog was the 13th from Strandfontein where I was with my host family...
It was a sad goodbye, but I was ready to re-charge and keep movin'!
We travelled to the beautiful wine country of Stellenbosch where we stayed at a center called "Christian Brothers".... orphanage-style living... lots and lots of girls in a small room with lots and lots of bunk beds. But a decent number of showers/bathrooms thank goodness!
It was a great week... we worked in the township of Kayamandi with some locals and we created our own service projects! We met a lot of people along the way, and worked hard. I got to think of my dad a lot as I was painting a community-type center... I dont' know how much he would've approved of my job though... a little sketchy...
Blayne arrived on Sunday, the 18th, and with his help, the girls threw a Guys night on Thursday the 22nd... including steak dinner, sports highlights on a big screen, and a poker tournament! Good stuff hey?
Friday the 23rd we left Stellenbosch, and on our way to Bonnievale Adventure camp where we stayed for the weekend, we had a wine tour! Really cool experience... and the crackers are yummy... but, yeah i don't like wine. Stillc ool though! A good way to dig into the culture there.
So the weekend! We were literally dropped off in the Middle of Nowhere, South Africa in the dark Friday night, and walked to a camp... a few shelters, a river, a ropes course, a rope swing, and a septic tank for bathrooms/showers! Beauty!
It was actually a really good weekend. I did the ropes course, COMPLETELY fearless of course! pah! We paintballed Sunday morning... then in the afternooon we were taken to an irrigation canal where we swam through a cave... unknown to us it was full of BATS... I almost died. That was the craziest surprise ever!!!
Well anywho, here we are in J-Bay, sweet 'n sound. It's more of an adventure week... there's some assignments due on Saturday, so I gotta do that... but otherwise, it's a chill week!
We did a little bit of service this morning, presentations in schools, but lots of free time stilll!
We leave for Mdumbi on Saturday at 5am... and it's a Knowing Yourself Module week led by the site leaders! Exciting!
I need to wrap up, people are waiting! Moral of the story, I'm still alive and having a BLAST, really stretching myself, and continuing to build amazing relationships!! FUN FUN FUN :)
Miss you all way too much.
God bless, lots of hugs :)
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
from Strandfontein (spelt that wrong last time...)
hey hey, it's the south african girl over here!!
how are my favourite Canadians doing? man, i've definitely missed home a lot lately.... so here i am blogging to let you know the latest on my summer life!
this week we're staying in the homes of Coloured people in Strandfontein (just up the coast from Simons town, last week's spot). We're about 30min from downtown Capetown city. It's quite an interesting experience living with these families! Most homes are one floor houses, quite simple... and there's always people coming and going... like friends/family just randomly come by the house, the front door is always open... but yet securely locked up when no one's home... high burglary rates apparently!
i'm staying with a family together with my friend Tami.... they have three kids, the youngest girl Abegail is 16, the middle daughter Renee is 23, and the eldest son Brendon is 24.
Good food, late nights, interesting people and social life, alcohol is a huge thing for these families... and movies/music... the tv is always on. constant noise!! and even at 6am!!
they're night owls and early risers! weeeiiird.
as a site, we're doing like a drug-awareness road show through 3 highschools in the Strandfontein area... so we've whipped up a few dramas/skits/songs/personal stories to give kids the "don't do drugs" message. today we had a presentaion first thing at Steenberg High, and were given the rest of the day off... so we're at the beach! I bought flipflops :) and now i'm at this internet cafe, and will head to the beach when i'm done!
this thursday night a local soccer team (some guys from the church we're based out of) has challenged our site to a game at the Stadium on Main... downtown-ish. and there's lots other stuff to do tehre, like pool, bowling, rockclimbing, bowling, arcade, and a mall! PERFECT. i'm looking forward to that! then friday night my host family has invited everyone to come voer for karaoke and a "bring 'n braai" (braai in S.A. in like a BBQ) so everyone brings their own meat, and we have a party! i'm excited for that too!
OH! and we went to Capetown market yesterday and i bought some exciting goodies!
much luck, and a really enjoyable day :)
hmm what else. OH today we ran into a guy from Alberta who's been living here for one year with his wife working for Operation Mobilization. really cool, and kind of comforting to hear someone with a "Canadian accent"! a touch of home!
alright, this is getting to be a novel... and i could go on for hours.
all is well, i'm not sick, and my knees are healing up nicely! a few scabs remain, and it's incredibly tempting to pick them... but i'm resisting! i DO NOT want huge scars :)
ah yes, and next week we're going to Stellenbosch, wine country, and staying in a retreat center... not sure any other details, so stay tuned!
i miss you all too much for words! and wish i could send everyone personal emails.
just know i'm thinking/praying for you, and you can always update me on home life! i'd love to hear!
lots of love from the coast <3
how are my favourite Canadians doing? man, i've definitely missed home a lot lately.... so here i am blogging to let you know the latest on my summer life!
this week we're staying in the homes of Coloured people in Strandfontein (just up the coast from Simons town, last week's spot). We're about 30min from downtown Capetown city. It's quite an interesting experience living with these families! Most homes are one floor houses, quite simple... and there's always people coming and going... like friends/family just randomly come by the house, the front door is always open... but yet securely locked up when no one's home... high burglary rates apparently!
i'm staying with a family together with my friend Tami.... they have three kids, the youngest girl Abegail is 16, the middle daughter Renee is 23, and the eldest son Brendon is 24.
Good food, late nights, interesting people and social life, alcohol is a huge thing for these families... and movies/music... the tv is always on. constant noise!! and even at 6am!!
they're night owls and early risers! weeeiiird.
as a site, we're doing like a drug-awareness road show through 3 highschools in the Strandfontein area... so we've whipped up a few dramas/skits/songs/personal stories to give kids the "don't do drugs" message. today we had a presentaion first thing at Steenberg High, and were given the rest of the day off... so we're at the beach! I bought flipflops :) and now i'm at this internet cafe, and will head to the beach when i'm done!
this thursday night a local soccer team (some guys from the church we're based out of) has challenged our site to a game at the Stadium on Main... downtown-ish. and there's lots other stuff to do tehre, like pool, bowling, rockclimbing, bowling, arcade, and a mall! PERFECT. i'm looking forward to that! then friday night my host family has invited everyone to come voer for karaoke and a "bring 'n braai" (braai in S.A. in like a BBQ) so everyone brings their own meat, and we have a party! i'm excited for that too!
OH! and we went to Capetown market yesterday and i bought some exciting goodies!
much luck, and a really enjoyable day :)
hmm what else. OH today we ran into a guy from Alberta who's been living here for one year with his wife working for Operation Mobilization. really cool, and kind of comforting to hear someone with a "Canadian accent"! a touch of home!
alright, this is getting to be a novel... and i could go on for hours.
all is well, i'm not sick, and my knees are healing up nicely! a few scabs remain, and it's incredibly tempting to pick them... but i'm resisting! i DO NOT want huge scars :)
ah yes, and next week we're going to Stellenbosch, wine country, and staying in a retreat center... not sure any other details, so stay tuned!
i miss you all too much for words! and wish i could send everyone personal emails.
just know i'm thinking/praying for you, and you can always update me on home life! i'd love to hear!
lots of love from the coast <3
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Capetown to Strandfontaan and Beyond!
ello ello!
(i've heard some people say that here... thought i'd try it out!)
Well I'm still in beautiful Simons Town, Capetown... and all is well!
This place is beautiful... today it's really hot... it has to be at least 35 out... but lots of breeze!
Alright, well last week was a full week of free time mostly! We made many trips into town to experience Capetown's best iced coffee, eat pizza, check emails, shop at Harry's surf shop (the only store we really like... we're waiting to splurge at Capetown market on Sunday!), or just enjoy the surroundings!
There's penguins waddling all over the place, a cute boardwalk, gift shops, a restaurant by the water just outside where we're staying (called Water's Edge Accomodation Center), and of course the beach just outside our door too! Could I ask for better? Oh yes, and palm trees, and the view of mountains. Breath-taking really.
Some of my group chose to go para-gliding last Thursday, and they say it was a unique experience... I chose to go shark-diving instead, which happened on Saturday! AND WELL... let me tell YOU what that was like... I nearly forgot about the great whites I was so pre-occupied with keeping my food in my stomach! Many in our group got seasick, and I am proud to say I only puked twice... however, the second time I missed the ocean and perhaps got their box of diving suits a little dirty... slightly embarassing... and yet a memorable experience!! haha.
ohhhh the things we do.
Friday we hiked/climbed Table Mountain. THE HARDEST thing I have ever done, no doubt.
God helped me get up that mountain, cause there is NO way I could've done it otherwise.
SUCH a neat experience! Reaching the top was well worth the pain, sweat, and possible dehydration!
Anyways, this week we're in sessions on Conflict Resolution with a guy named Rodney who is our country partner for the next few weeks... and I'm looking forward to meeting my host families this friday! We get to go the a huge market in Capetown on Sunday when I hope to buy many souvenirs! YAY!
Lots more to say, but my time is running out. Overall, I am stretching myself, learning lots, soaking in the culture of South Africa (which does mean the sunshine! my tan is getting pretty decent!), and overall having a blast.
I miss you all, and I hope all is well in Canada. Say HI to the cold for me? :)
Much Love <3
(i've heard some people say that here... thought i'd try it out!)
Well I'm still in beautiful Simons Town, Capetown... and all is well!
This place is beautiful... today it's really hot... it has to be at least 35 out... but lots of breeze!
Alright, well last week was a full week of free time mostly! We made many trips into town to experience Capetown's best iced coffee, eat pizza, check emails, shop at Harry's surf shop (the only store we really like... we're waiting to splurge at Capetown market on Sunday!), or just enjoy the surroundings!
There's penguins waddling all over the place, a cute boardwalk, gift shops, a restaurant by the water just outside where we're staying (called Water's Edge Accomodation Center), and of course the beach just outside our door too! Could I ask for better? Oh yes, and palm trees, and the view of mountains. Breath-taking really.
Some of my group chose to go para-gliding last Thursday, and they say it was a unique experience... I chose to go shark-diving instead, which happened on Saturday! AND WELL... let me tell YOU what that was like... I nearly forgot about the great whites I was so pre-occupied with keeping my food in my stomach! Many in our group got seasick, and I am proud to say I only puked twice... however, the second time I missed the ocean and perhaps got their box of diving suits a little dirty... slightly embarassing... and yet a memorable experience!! haha.
ohhhh the things we do.
Friday we hiked/climbed Table Mountain. THE HARDEST thing I have ever done, no doubt.
God helped me get up that mountain, cause there is NO way I could've done it otherwise.
SUCH a neat experience! Reaching the top was well worth the pain, sweat, and possible dehydration!
Anyways, this week we're in sessions on Conflict Resolution with a guy named Rodney who is our country partner for the next few weeks... and I'm looking forward to meeting my host families this friday! We get to go the a huge market in Capetown on Sunday when I hope to buy many souvenirs! YAY!
Lots more to say, but my time is running out. Overall, I am stretching myself, learning lots, soaking in the culture of South Africa (which does mean the sunshine! my tan is getting pretty decent!), and overall having a blast.
I miss you all, and I hope all is well in Canada. Say HI to the cold for me? :)
Much Love <3
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