SO. I was away on break from March 16-March 25th.
The day after I got back, I wrote this (on March 26, 2012…..)
WOW. I’m exhausted. “Spring” (its not actually spring here) break was fun, full of adventure and tons of driving, beautiful sights and lots of fun. However, I am happy to be back at the K-House, in my bed and out of a moving vehicle!
I will try to recap spring break the best I can, but the first few days seem like so long ago!
Day 1: Friday, March 16. Knysa.
5am departure from the K-House. As we walked out of the front door while it was still dark, we were greeted by the strangest looking vehicle we had ever seen. A cross between a truck, a submarine, and a military tank, it has windows so large that passing cars can see absolutely everything inside…down to the color of our socks! We all instantly knew this was going to be an interesting spring break to say the least. The first day we drove, and drove, and drove, which we would soon realize would be the majority of our spring break, but we saw so many amazing and beautiful sights along the way. We finally arrived in Knysa and spent the night at a very cool backpackers.
Day 2: Saturday, March 17. Bungee Jumping and St. Patrick’s Day!
We left Knysa early in order to get to _________, the highest bungee jumping bridge in the world. While I did walk out to it, I unfortunately could not bungee jump. I really wanted to, and I suppose I could have, but I was deterred by the large sign listing medical conditions that prohibit bungee jumping…with dislocations at the top of the list. Go figure. So while I would really like to go back and do it in the future, I wasn’t willing to risk ruining the rest of my spring break or putting anyone else in the group in the position to have to take care of me if something did happen. So I just walked out the bridge and watched 13 of my friends jump of a bridge! It was insane.
Later that night we arrived in Chintsa at an awesome backpackers with a gorgeous beach and such an island vibe. We celebrated St. Patrick’s Day big like Americans should and all enjoyed improvised Irish Car Bombs…or “South African Irish Car Bombs”….which include Jameson (the only irish whiskey in SA) Amarula, a creamy South African liquor to replace Baileys, and Castle (a gross SA beer) Milk Stout to stand in for Guinness.
Day 3: March 18: Chintsa to Coffee Bay!
After sadly leaving behind the beautiful town of Chintsa and the marvelous buffet meals served at the backpackers, we headed to my favorite place of the entire trip: Coffee Bay. Finally we had reached a destination where we would stay not one night…but two! I was happy to have at least one full day in one place, no time spent in the car, a chance to settle and relax at least a little, and Coffee Bay was the perfect place to do it! The little rural town is so small, unique, and beautiful. Where else in the world do you see dozens of cows lying on…the beach!?
Unfortunately my first night is Coffee Bay wasn’t as amazing as it could have been because I had gotten pretty sick with some kind of sinus infection/really bad cold, so I went to bed early, determined to make the next day better…and fortunately I did!
Day 4: March 19: Surfing!
I woke up pretty sick the next day, but that wasn’t going to stop me from my surf lesson at noon! I figured I could use a good salt water rinse anyway. So while most of the group went on a hike, I had a nice relaxing morning and waited for my surf lesson to begin. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN. I got up the first time I tried to surf and I got better and better and was feeling great…until I got really tired and then got worse and worse. By the end of the two hours I was completely exhausted and decided to call it a day, but I had the greatest time surfing and I honestly can’t wait to do it again. I have to say, I’m not half bad at it! After that I went across the street to a yoga/massage studio and had an Indian Head massage. It was glorious. I was so relaxed and ready for a nap, so I climbed some rocks that stretched out over the water and took a nap. What a PERFECT day, even with a sinus infection!
So…now this part I wrote today….April 3rd:
Day 5: March 20: Coffee Bay to Durban
All I really remember about this day was driving, and driving, and driving. Eventually we got to Durban at night, and went out for a fun dinner with fancy drinks at an African restaurant called Moyo.
Day 6: March 21: Durban beach, drive to Joburg
Before another long day of driving, we got to walk from the backpackers to the beach in Durban. We had breakfast on the boardwalk and swam in the Indian ocean…which was SO warm. Though we spent very little time in Durban, I am glad to say that I have been there, and even just walking around for one morning was a really neat experience. Durban has a much different feel than Cape Town or Joburg. It has a very large Indian presence, which makes things feel a little less Western in some ways…and yet the areas which we saw seemed much more developed than some parts that we see down here in the Cape. It was also really really humid, which was gross, and of course hot, but this is Africa. Then after Durban we were off to Johannesburg!
Day 7: March 22nd: Joburg: Soweto, Apartheid Museum and Nelson Mandela House
We woke up in Joburg and had such a busy and amazing day. I have to say, having been to Johannesburg before, there were very few things about that day that I was really excited for. Another Museum? A tour? I didn’t feel like being a tourist. It might be inevitable…but it still gets annoying. So anyway, it completely exceeded any and all expectations. As I walked through the Apartheid Museum, I was instantly moved. I suddenly remembered why I am here. This museum that I didn’t even want to go into represents the entire reason that I am so fascinated with this place. On the brochure for the museum it says “Apartheid is exactly where it should be-in a Museum” and I think for anyone who knows the history of this country, that statement alone can bring a tear to your eye. Its amazing and inspiring and it makes me feel both grateful and hopeful. Anyway, the whole museum was so impressive and informative and beautiful in so many ways. I especially loved the exhibit about Nelson Mandela, a hero of mine and a hero of nearly ever citizen of South Africa. I wish I had had more time to buy things in the gift shop, I honestly think that museum was one of the coolest places I have been here in South Africa, to tell you the truth!
After the museum things continued to be intriguing and exciting. We had a tour of Soweto, the largest township in South Africa. We had the chance to go into Nelson Mandela’s house, which is now a little museum, and once again I couldn’t help but tear up at every picture, caption, or word on the wall. It was awesome. I think the highlight though was walking one block down the street to the front of Desmond Tutu’s house, and hearing our tour guide Sipho say “this is the only place in the world where you can find the home of two Nobel Peace Prize winners on the same street. Right here in Soweto is the only place in the world”. That fact alone is impressive, but even more so when you hear the history and conditions of Soweto during the apartheid. It’s simply amazing and I don’t think I have the words to describe it.
Days 8, 9, 10: March 23, 24, 25: KRUGER! The Big Five!
The next morning we awoke early to leave Joburg and head to Kruger National Park for safari for three days! Those few days run together because safari pretty much looks the same, but through the three days we were lucky enough to spot ALL of Africa’s Big Five: Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Leopard, Lion. Last time I was in South Africa we only saw the first three in the wild…Leopards especially are VERY rare to see…and we saw two! Together! It was really a once in a lifetime experience to see them so close and in the wild, we were very lucky. There’s little else I can say about safari though, the pictures are much more telling, although even they don’t do it justice or really portray how beautiful (and close up!) these animals are. Anyone who knows me well enough knows I’m not exactly an animal lover…while I think they are beautiful, I don’t really get cozy with them! But I do love a good safari! I’ve yet to meet anyone who doesn’t…its just an awesome experience, so do it if you ever have the chance!
SO…in a very brief and hurried account, that was my spring break! All in all it was fun, it was an awesome experience and I feel so fortunate to have seen so much of the country and to have visited such beautiful places. It was exhausting though, and fortunately this weekend I got to get away and visit my family friends, the Wainwrights (Richard’s parents), who live about 30 minutes away in Durbanville. They take great care of me and allow me to have a little getaway weekend at their house, including bubble baths and unlimited internet, which means skyping home! Can’t beat it, I’m very lucky to have them here as well!
So sorry that I haven’t written in such a long time. I intended to but I much prefer living to writing down my life, so you’ll have to cut me a little slack! I have to say, the past few weeks have been crazy! Currently my students are still on break so I actually am not going to service for a few weeks…but that doesn’t mean things aren’t stressful! School started right back up after break and theres always something going on here! But amidst all the madness, I have to say that today, I am so happy. I am so grateful, for everything and everyone in my life. I can’t express that enough. So excuse my mess of a blog, but know that I love you and I appreciate you for reading this and for caring enough about me to do so!
PeaceJ
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