Finally in Africa

I've been in South Africa for 5 days now, but it seems like a lot longer. I have had no time to rest or get used to my host city, Grahamstown. Rather, I was quickly swept away to begin my "holiday," traveling around South Africa with fellow international teachers.




After a crazy long plane ride, 9 hours to Amsterdam and 12 hours to Cape Town, I was picked up by a lady named Kaylene and spent the night resting in CT. The people of South Africa are so friendly. I was picked up from the airport, fed home cooking, given a bed to sleep in, and briefly toured around CT. After one nights rest in CT, I hopped on another plane for Port Elizabeth. There, I was picked up and shuttled to my host city, Grahamstown. Upon arriving in GHT I was met by my supervisor and fellow American teachers, and quickly was ushered off to where I would be staying. I will be living at the school, as it is a boarding school, in a complex called "The Boys Village." As I arrived in the village, I was quickly swarmed by all of the boarding students and no longer was I carrying my bags. "Hello sir, may I take your bags to your room," they said as I walked in. It was very humorous. After being showed around the village, by everyone eager to see the American, I was brought out to dinner and then out to the pub. I didn't get back to my room until midnight. The next day I visited the school; it was their last day before the end of the term and a 3 week holiday. Some of the students had already left because they needed to catch flights, or trains, or busses, back home. Many of the students live far from the school, and even come from different countries. The children at the school are like no other! As I walked around and met the staff, I was consistently greeted with, "Hello sir" or "Good morning sir." The children are very well mannered and respectful.



After spending the morning at the school, we immediately left for our Holiday. We have rented a car and will be driving all throughout South Africa. First, we are driving to Cape Town, and spending five days doing various things. Next, we will drive back to Grahamstown, stopping along the way to do different things. Finally, we will drive to Johannesburg and to the Kruger National Park, where we will do a couple safaris, and then drive back down to Grahamstown. We have a lot of driving ahead of us, but it will be a once and a life time experience! I am very much looking forward to it.