hey it's me!
... and yes it's true, i'm in prison... but it's been turned into an organization called Project Gateway that reaches out to the poor and oppressed... so don't worry i'm not in any serious trouble.
We're in the city of Pietermaritzburg, where our country partners Geoff & Sarah live, so they're hanging out with us a lot more this week. Today we leave to hike Drakensburg mountain for a couple days, and sleep in caves! BOOYA.
Well, I last blogged in the beginning of my week in Durban... and what a week that was!
The leaders had their vacation last week, so we were without our outtatown parents for a week. It was like the whole world was crashing down... WHAT WOULD WE DO!?
But we did survive, Geoff took over for the week, and he did a great job.
The leaders said they had a relaxing week at their B&B, chillin, playing cards, shopping, reading, and relaxing!
Meanwhile in Durban, we were busy busy bodies!
Monday (March 12) we visited the Hare Krishna Temple, had an amazing lunch at the mall, then shopped for a bit (where I found an internet cafe, and wrote up my last blog), then supper back at the church (rice & curry... a recurring theme throughout the week... ehhh)
That evening I phoned Heather and we had an awesome chat... DEFINITELY the highlight of my day!
Tuesday the pastor of the church hosting us gave us a talk, andin the afternoon we went to... wait for it... ANOTHER MALL! ps - I had the most amazing Chai Tea Latte EVER. Back to the church for supper again... then a few of us found each others host houses that evening, got together, and had a hair party! Some got theirs cut, some coloured, and I attempted to cut my bangs... I guess it sort of worked? We enjoyed the treats that my mom sent me from home :)
Okay! Wednesday we visited the KwaMuhle Museum (S.A. natural history), then the Soofie Saheb Mosque (really interesting debates/conversataion with a Muslim leader), lunch at the Mosque (guess what we ate?), then off to the Mahatma Ghandi center, then supper at church again!
Thursday we spent the day at a home for the aged and children (mostly abandoned ones) called Aryan Benevolent Home. I had a really nice talk with an old Hindu man, for about an hour, and later I made an official donation of the last of my Grandpa's shirts to the home. Again, back to church for rice & curry...
AHHH. Friday! What a blast! We went to Ushaka Wet 'n Wild water park. Such a good time.
That night our host family got us pizza, and we spent the evening chillin'on the driveway with the neighbors until really late.
Saturday morning off to Pietermaritzburg! We spent the day abseiling! It's basically repelling.... down a steep cliff/waterfall (107m!) Sooo scary, but loads of fun. Sunday we attended Pietermaritzburg Christian Fellowship church... it was similar to home, and made me miss it! An enjoyable service, followed by a braai (remember that's a South African BBQ folks), then a tour of the prison compound, a quick trip to Mcdonalds... and yeah!
Basically our week has consisted so far of sessions, service work at the primary school, and hanging out! Half our group gets back from the hike today, and we swap places. They'll be here at the prison until Friday when we get back. We leaves Saturday, go white water rafting (!!!), then we're at Kruger park on Sunday for 3 days. After that begins de-brief!
You know what that means? I'm coming home in 25 days! I'm definitelyready to return to Canada, but still enjoying this beautiful country! As always, I'm learning lots, being stretched WAY out of my comfort bubble, and loving it... and continuing to build aawesome friendships. That's one thing I'm realizing will REALLY suck after this program...we all live across Canada, and it's gonna take a big effort to maintain these friendships!
WOW, longest blog ever! Sorry guys... I'll wrap this up.
Miss you all soooo much. Don'tknow how my future internet access will be, so this could be that last you'll hear in a while.
Hope all is well back in Canada!
lots and lots of love!
you're in my thoughts & prayers more and more everyday!
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Monday, March 12, 2007
It's Hot In Durban
ALRIIIIGHTEEEE.
So i'm in Durban!
This is our last homestay week with various host families from a local church.
Since I last blogged, a LOT has happened!
First things first, I jumped off the highest bungee jump in the wooorlllddd.
Can you believe it...
I really wish I could describe the experience, but it's basically indescrbable.
Like, the freefall is insane. And once you're hanging around down there, it's SOO quiet. All you hear is the breeze, and the birds, and the river wayyyy down there... then you try and look up and there's a bright light, and a voice, "Alyssa! Alyssa!"
It's the man on the rope! He's coming for me!
I was definitely scared... my arms had fallen asleep, and my ankles were slipping out of the straps (nope, not joking) and perhaps I was starting to get a leg cramp? Either way, it was an incredible, absolutely crazy experience, and I'm so glad I did it!
Then Friday morning (March 2) I had a surfing lesson on the the Indian Ocean! Seriously, it was such a blast! I was already happy just paddling on the board and riding the waves in, but I also managed to get up, just for half a second that is, but seriously, soooo much fun!
J-Bay flew by, and before long we were up 'n adam 5am Saturday morning, off to Mdumbi!
It was another long drive, but we made it to the middle of nowhere, Mdumbi Backpackers, right on the beach, just before supper!
We lived in huts! A couple surfer dudes run the place, and it's sooo cool. A real beachy feel.
We swam, played beach volleyball, and our leaders led us in a Knowing Yourself week. It was really cool to look at our personality types, according to a test we'd taken, and discover our spiritual gifts. Then we got the chance to write up encouragements to the people in our small groups. Overall, and awesome week. OH! And we had a little hike on Friday (March 9), along the beach, into a lot of mud with lots of crabs, and saw these cool trees that are apparently the only ones in the world? Mangroves or something? Anywho, a really cool week. I was sad to leave.
Now here we are in hot hot Durban! It's looking to be an interesting week! Today we visiting a temple, and we're hanging at the mall... we're volunteeering at a home later this week, and maybe doing some painting... then friday we hit up a waterpark! Saturday we're off to Pietermaritzburg! Alright, I'm running out of time, so I'll wrap up!
I miss home a lot a lot a lot... and especially because I got a parcel from home today!
That was definitely amazing. Totally made my day. Thanks mom!
But yeah, I'm homesick more often, and Canada sick too! (cough. Tim Hortons)
Lots of love from South Africa! Until next time!
So i'm in Durban!
This is our last homestay week with various host families from a local church.
Since I last blogged, a LOT has happened!
First things first, I jumped off the highest bungee jump in the wooorlllddd.
Can you believe it...
I really wish I could describe the experience, but it's basically indescrbable.
Like, the freefall is insane. And once you're hanging around down there, it's SOO quiet. All you hear is the breeze, and the birds, and the river wayyyy down there... then you try and look up and there's a bright light, and a voice, "Alyssa! Alyssa!"
It's the man on the rope! He's coming for me!
I was definitely scared... my arms had fallen asleep, and my ankles were slipping out of the straps (nope, not joking) and perhaps I was starting to get a leg cramp? Either way, it was an incredible, absolutely crazy experience, and I'm so glad I did it!
Then Friday morning (March 2) I had a surfing lesson on the the Indian Ocean! Seriously, it was such a blast! I was already happy just paddling on the board and riding the waves in, but I also managed to get up, just for half a second that is, but seriously, soooo much fun!
J-Bay flew by, and before long we were up 'n adam 5am Saturday morning, off to Mdumbi!
It was another long drive, but we made it to the middle of nowhere, Mdumbi Backpackers, right on the beach, just before supper!
We lived in huts! A couple surfer dudes run the place, and it's sooo cool. A real beachy feel.
We swam, played beach volleyball, and our leaders led us in a Knowing Yourself week. It was really cool to look at our personality types, according to a test we'd taken, and discover our spiritual gifts. Then we got the chance to write up encouragements to the people in our small groups. Overall, and awesome week. OH! And we had a little hike on Friday (March 9), along the beach, into a lot of mud with lots of crabs, and saw these cool trees that are apparently the only ones in the world? Mangroves or something? Anywho, a really cool week. I was sad to leave.
Now here we are in hot hot Durban! It's looking to be an interesting week! Today we visiting a temple, and we're hanging at the mall... we're volunteeering at a home later this week, and maybe doing some painting... then friday we hit up a waterpark! Saturday we're off to Pietermaritzburg! Alright, I'm running out of time, so I'll wrap up!
I miss home a lot a lot a lot... and especially because I got a parcel from home today!
That was definitely amazing. Totally made my day. Thanks mom!
But yeah, I'm homesick more often, and Canada sick too! (cough. Tim Hortons)
Lots of love from South Africa! Until next time!
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