For the past three weeks, since March 31 until April 20, I have been living out of ONE small duffle bag while traveling across South Africa and back again. My life right now consists of driving hours upon hours through mountains, savannas, farms lands, and along the ocean’s coast, through big cities and little towns, and on the LEFT side of the road; sleeping in 13 person dorm rooms where Benadryl comes in handy; signing my life away to fly through canopies, raft down rivers, and jump 700 feet off a bridge; playing with cheetahs and tigers, and riding ostriches; looking like and doing everything a typical tourist might do (minus the fanny pack), while at the same time taking in as much South African culture as I can; meeting and making friends with people from all over the world; and having a once in a lifetime experience, all while taking a lot of pictures.
My life right now is consistently inconsistent! I haven’t spent more than 3 nights in the same bed or in the same part of the country. There is so much to see and do, and to experience in South Africa, and there is too little time to do it all. I am lucky to have three weeks to travel and experience this beautiful country. Many of the people I have met have said that I will have seen more of South Africa in these three weeks than they have in their entire life. I do not know how many miles I have traveled but they sure have added up. We left Grahamstown and drove to Cape Town, spent 5 days in Cape Town driving around, then drove from Cape Town back to Grahamstown, and up to Kruger National Park and back again!
As much as I have enjoyed my holiday traveling through South Africa, I am looking forward to some consistency and routine in my life. I am looking forward to having my own bed and spending more than 3 nights sleeping in it. I am looking forward to getting to know people and building relationships that are not temporary. And, I am looking forward to getting back to teaching and learning more about education in South Africa. My trip has been amazing, but my journey of discovery has just only begun.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
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.
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.
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