Traditional African dancers
Princess Mosopyadi, Mamma Mampuru, Mosopyadi
Ndebele woman
Me with my sister Princess Lillian
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
One of the most amazing days of my life- King Mampuru and Nyabela's Day at the Chief's home in Mamone
The main reason why i got a flight from P.E back to Joburg was to be back home in time for a celebration that i had been invited to at the local Chief's home in Mamone (a neighbouring village to Jane Furse). Last year wen i went to visit Princess Mosopyadi
and her family she invited me to attend this special day that is held annually in January. My African mother, Mamma Mampuru, came over early and she helped me dress in my traditional Sepedi dress and then i visited some of my other Mamma's and they did my headdress for me. We arrived at the Chief's home and there were literally thousands of people there. The celebration is as a commemoration for King Mampuru and Nyabela. In 1883 King Mampuru was sentenced to death by the Colonial regime (Apartheid government). They captured him and took him to Pretoria where he was murdered. His family and tribe were not told where his body was buried and this day is held to encourage the current government to continue the search for his remains so that they may be returned home and given the proper burial service he deserves. It was so great to see Princess Mosopyadi again and her and her daughter Lillian were so excited to see us. Mamma and I were taken up into the Chief's home where I was introduced personally to the Chief and the other Prince's. Chief Sekwati then welcomed and introduced me personally as Mosopyadi to all the special guests which included Chief's and Kings from the Ndebele, Zulu and Xhosa tribes as well as High Priests and various politicians and Government officials. I really cant describe how honoured I was. I was treated as a special guest and I couldnt believe how lucky i was to be
personally greeting some of the most important people in all of South Africa!! Yo! words cannot describe it......the way that i have been welcomed into African culture is just mindblowing. Princess Mosopyadi even told me that their Royal palace is also my home and that i am always welcome. I have never encountered such open and welcoming people in all my life. I was the only non-African out of thousands but I was treated as apart of their people. I now am apart of their people.Me (Mosopyadi), Princess Mosopyadi and Mamma Mampuru
Mamma and I then helped the other Gogo's (grandmothers) and local women to cook the food and then I was taken by one of the Prince's down to attend the ceremony. There was dancing and performances from all the different cultures in South Africa and speaches from the Kings, Chief's and government officials. Eish it was the best day ever! I learnt so much about the different African cultures; all their beautiful traditional dress, dances, chants, lan
guages and customs. After the speaches/performances etc were finished we went back up into the Royal residence where we shared a traditional meal, i was introduced to more special guests and watched more performances. I spoke and hung out with Prince Kennedy and Prince Phatudi, younger brothers of Chief Sekwati and then just as it was getting dark Mamma and i headed back to Jane Furse. I was kind of in a daze wen i got back to the school. The events of the day were so overwhelming, it took me a while to sink in about what a unique and extremely special experience i had just had! Once again I thank God for making all this possible!
Garden Route and THE HIGHEST BUNGY JUMP IN THE WORLD!!!
After finally being able to tear myself away from the beautiful Cape Town, i headed back up the Garden Route. Caught a bus to Wilderness to visit Melling and the rest of the Oakley team in Wilderness. Had such a great few days with them all. Was great to catch up with someone from home and hear the good ol' Aussie accent and our coastal slang again! haha. Wilderness is such a beautiful little town and i spent most of my time sleeping on the beach whilst the boys did their thing in the surf. So grateful to Seth and the rest of the team for looking after me for those couple of days, it was a lot of fun!
Almost all the other travellers i have met along the way have raved about this bungy jump in Stormsriver. Hence i had kind of been talking it up, saying i was going to do it, however when i actually reached Stormsriver, I kind of swallowed my words! Half of me really wanted to do it but the other half couldnt stop thinking about the rope breaking!! Not good i know but these things go through your head in situations like these! Hehe. Anyhoo i was sitting chatting at the backpackers and this group of italian and indian guys got off the bus and grabbed me and said "YOU'RE COMING!!". I honestly didnt have a chance to refuse and i am sooo grateful to those guys now as I dont think i would have done it if it wasnt for them!!
So i did it!!!! THE HIGHEST BUNGY JUMP IN THE WORLD PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!! It was sooooooo amazing. I wasnt as scared as i thought i was going to be either.
The scariest part was walking over to the middle of the bridge. The path was made of wat looked like chicken wire so u could see down and it moved beneath your feet each step you took!! Yo it was a challenge. Didnt help either that my instructor thought it would be hilarious to shake the bridge! Once i was in the middle of the bridge they were playing awesome music to get you pumped up so we were dancing and all buzzing with anticipation and adrenalin. Hearing the screams of the people before me wasnt very comforting but wen it came to my turn I wasnt scared at all just totally pumped and couldnt wait to get it done! They strapped my feet together and then you hop towards the edge and place your toes over the side. It really is in a stunning area, looking out over the mountains and a gorgeous river running through this massive valley. I didnt look down and after the count of 5 i launched myself out into the mountains......It was the MOST AMAZING FEELING EVER!!!!!!! free falling for about 6-7 seconds as the valley and river below rush towards you!! Soooo beautiful! Then you bounce a couple of times and fly through the air which is soooo much fun! Hanging upside down waiting for the guy to come down and pick you up isnt the best with all the blood rushing to your head. Finally after wat felt like 20 minutes he arrived and i latched onto him like nothing else and told him i loved him! haha. He then asked me to marry him and i said i'd do anything just as long as he got me off this thing!! hahahaha it was such an amazing experience i am soooo stoked that i did it. yer thats right.....HIGHEST IN THE WORLD!! Woooooooooooooooooo
Almost all the other travellers i have met along the way have raved about this bungy jump in Stormsriver. Hence i had kind of been talking it up, saying i was going to do it, however when i actually reached Stormsriver, I kind of swallowed my words! Half of me really wanted to do it but the other half couldnt stop thinking about the rope breaking!! Not good i know but these things go through your head in situations like these! Hehe. Anyhoo i was sitting chatting at the backpackers and this group of italian and indian guys got off the bus and grabbed me and said "YOU'RE COMING!!". I honestly didnt have a chance to refuse and i am sooo grateful to those guys now as I dont think i would have done it if it wasnt for them!!
So i did it!!!! THE HIGHEST BUNGY JUMP IN THE WORLD PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!! It was sooooooo amazing. I wasnt as scared as i thought i was going to be either.
The scariest part was walking over to the middle of the bridge. The path was made of wat looked like chicken wire so u could see down and it moved beneath your feet each step you took!! Yo it was a challenge. Didnt help either that my instructor thought it would be hilarious to shake the bridge! Once i was in the middle of the bridge they were playing awesome music to get you pumped up so we were dancing and all buzzing with anticipation and adrenalin. Hearing the screams of the people before me wasnt very comforting but wen it came to my turn I wasnt scared at all just totally pumped and couldnt wait to get it done! They strapped my feet together and then you hop towards the edge and place your toes over the side. It really is in a stunning area, looking out over the mountains and a gorgeous river running through this massive valley. I didnt look down and after the count of 5 i launched myself out into the mountains......It was the MOST AMAZING FEELING EVER!!!!!!! free falling for about 6-7 seconds as the valley and river below rush towards you!! Soooo beautiful! Then you bounce a couple of times and fly through the air which is soooo much fun! Hanging upside down waiting for the guy to come down and pick you up isnt the best with all the blood rushing to your head. Finally after wat felt like 20 minutes he arrived and i latched onto him like nothing else and told him i loved him! haha. He then asked me to marry him and i said i'd do anything just as long as he got me off this thing!! hahahaha it was such an amazing experience i am soooo stoked that i did it. yer thats right.....HIGHEST IN THE WORLD!! Woooooooooooooooooo
After such a massive day with all the anticipation and adrenalin we were exhausted by the time we got home to the backpackers. We had a few celebration drinks then all passed out quite early. The next day i hitched a lift with the owner of the b/packers to Port Elizabeth. It was great to see my friends Lyle and Olly at Lungile Backpackers again that i had met on my way down to Cape Town. Met some other GAP students there from America and England and we partied hard for a couple of nights and chilled out at the beach. On my last night we started early at the backpackers drinking and playing pool then hit a cocktail bar where a friend of mine worked. It was 2 for 1 from 5-7pm so we all made the most of that! The best cocktails...quite deadly though. We then headed out and danced like no tomorrow until the club closed at 2am then headed to the beach to chill and watch the sun come up! It was soo much fun, no sleep though so I was wrecked. Lyle took me to the airport in the arvo and I fell asleep before the plane had even taken off! Arrived in Johannesburg at 7:30pm and was picked up by my friend Lewis who was part of our orientation team when i first arrived in South Africa back in July. He organised accomodation for me and we went out for a few drinks then I crashed. The next day he dropped me off at the station and i caught a bus to Polokwane. Slept the whole way as usual and was sooo excited to arrive back in Limpopo!! Visited Maureen and John (my Gap grandparents) briefly then got a taxi back home to Jane Furse. I was sooo happy wen i headed out of the city and back into the rural areas again. When i saw the sign to jane furse it was soooo exciting. Arriving back in the school was amazing. I received such a warm welcome. All the kids were screaming and chasing my taxi. When i got out i got bowled over with hugs and kisses. It bought me to tears. It was so good to be home. I had had the most AMAZING time travelling, the best time of my life, but it almost as good to arrive back to my family here at St Marks. I cant thank God enough for how much he has blessed my life. Throughout all my travels I only had positive experiences. Not once did i feel unsafe, threatened or unhappy and i know that is because he was always watching over me and guided me safely back to Jane Furse. I am so grateful and feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to do what i have done. South Africa is such a n exciting country and I know that i may keep repeating myself, but the people here have truly changed my life!
Monday, 11 February 2008
Tuesday, 15 January 2008
Etafeni Project
Apart from the tourist/partying here I have also spent the last week and a half volunteering at an AIDS resource centre in Nyanga, which is a large township just outside Cape Town. Approximately 30% of the Nyanga population is infected with HIV/AIDS with approx. 70% of the population being unemployed. Hence, the conditions here are very very tough. This centre is called Etafeni and is a community based care center for AIDS-vulnerable children and their caregivers. It offers a preschool, afterschool care, nutrition program, skills training program for the youth, an income generation program, counselling, homecare visits and testing for the local community. It is truly an absolutely fabulous centre!! I have had such an amazing time working there and have been so honored to have been involved in such a wonderful project. All the staff have such a great vision for the future and the kids are really to die for! Words cannot describe how gorgeous they are! It has really inspired me and hence I am currently working with various people at the centre to establish some kind of partnership/relationship with Australian businesses and funders. 
The income generation programme is what i am particularly interested in. The centre teaches local women who are HIV+ various skills such as sewing and beading. The women are then given the resources to make different products such as clothing, jewelry, blankets, beaded craft etc and then they are sold with the profits going to the women. The programme aims to provide them with the necessary skills whereby they no longer need to rely on the centre but can set up their own little businesses and generate an income for themselves. The products that they make are brilliant and of such a high quality. They work so hard. Hence I am working with the project and marketing manager here to try and set up a market for these products back at home. They make really beautiful and unique stuff, with ALL profits going to the women involved. This is so vital as I think a lot of people now are hesitant to donate or support the big charity organisations as they are not certain whether the money is actually getting to where they want. But with this project I am planning on fundraising to pay for shipment, then will sell these products hopefully through local businesses and at the markets and then ALL profits will go to the women involved. Etafeni centre is a non-profit organisation and I will be doing this voluntarily and hence can therefore ensure that the money goes exactly where its supposed to. I am very excited about this project and I have huge faith in the local communities at home in offering their support. Once i get home i plan to make a catalogue of their stuff to show people and assess interest and then I can start placing orders. If anyone is interested before hand though please go to their website http://www.etafenitrust.org/. There are a few pictures on there but that is 
not a full list of products that they make. I will be updating this. These women are taught a huge variety of skills and are very talented and hence can almost make anything to order. Everything is made my hand and they put a lot of work into their products. For example, hand made, personalised beaded lanyards which are perfect for conferences/businesses/universities/ even just one with your name on it, takes a whole day to make one. They are really really cool and can be make in any colours and they cost about $13. Can you imagine working a whole day for $13???
As i said I am so excited about this project and really cant wait to get it up and running. Please check out their website or email me if you are interested.
Ill try keep a little more updated on here from now on.
Lots of love from Africa
God Bless xoxoxo
The income generation programme is what i am particularly interested in. The centre teaches local women who are HIV+ various skills such as sewing and beading. The women are then given the resources to make different products such as clothing, jewelry, blankets, beaded craft etc and then they are sold with the profits going to the women. The programme aims to provide them with the necessary skills whereby they no longer need to rely on the centre but can set up their own little businesses and generate an income for themselves. The products that they make are brilliant and of such a high quality. They work so hard. Hence I am working with the project and marketing manager here to try and set up a market for these products back at home. They make really beautiful and unique stuff, with ALL profits going to the women involved. This is so vital as I think a lot of people now are hesitant to donate or support the big charity organisations as they are not certain whether the money is actually getting to where they want. But with this project I am planning on fundraising to pay for shipment, then will sell these products hopefully through local businesses and at the markets and then ALL profits will go to the women involved. Etafeni centre is a non-profit organisation and I will be doing this voluntarily and hence can therefore ensure that the money goes exactly where its supposed to. I am very excited about this project and I have huge faith in the local communities at home in offering their support. Once i get home i plan to make a catalogue of their stuff to show people and assess interest and then I can start placing orders. If anyone is interested before hand though please go to their website http://www.etafenitrust.org/. There are a few pictures on there but that is 
not a full list of products that they make. I will be updating this. These women are taught a huge variety of skills and are very talented and hence can almost make anything to order. Everything is made my hand and they put a lot of work into their products. For example, hand made, personalised beaded lanyards which are perfect for conferences/businesses/universities/ even just one with your name on it, takes a whole day to make one. They are really really cool and can be make in any colours and they cost about $13. Can you imagine working a whole day for $13???As i said I am so excited about this project and really cant wait to get it up and running. Please check out their website or email me if you are interested.
Ill try keep a little more updated on here from now on.
Lots of love from Africa
God Bless xoxoxo
Sunday, 13 January 2008
Cape Town Adventures!
Once again I have left it too long between posts, but there has just been too much fun being had! I had a beautiful Christmas and Boxing Day in Gordons Bay and then have been in the amazing city of Cape Town since!! It is such a wonderful city with the most beautiful scenery, mixture of people, things to do and places to see. Have been doing all the touristy things:
* Took the cable car up and had breakfast on Table Mountain which was absolutely stunning.
* Been down to the V&A Waterfront various times to listen to live music, look around the shops and the harbour.
* Had a massive Braai and then watched the New years Eve fireworks at the Waterfront before hitting the clubs in Long Street for an enormous New year celebration.
* Did a tour of the Cape Peninsula. Well actually just jumped into a hire care with two other Aussie guys i met in our dorm. We had a map but its only functional use was as a fan for my face. We did get lost, well we called it 'detouring' various times but saw everything we wanted to see and even had time to stop off at a pub for a few drinks.
* Visited the gorgeous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and Stellenbosch for coffee and lunch and had my face painted in traditional Xhosa way.
* Lazed on the beautiful beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton. Didnt swim because the water is flippin freeeeezing!! There are seals and penguins in the water, thats how cold it is.
* Took walks through the gorgeous city and danced to the beat of street performers drums.
* watched the Cape Minstrel parade through the city.
* Climbed Lions head and had drinks and nibbleys at the top and walked down as the sun set.
But apart from all the touristy things I have had some of the best nights/days out of my life!! The party scene in CApe Town and especially Long Street is constant and ever pumping!! I have been staying with numerous other people that i have met on my travels down the coast so there has always been a big bunch of us keen to hit the town. Plus i have met so many amazing locals who are always rearing to show me the places to go! The backpackers i have been staying at is right in Long Street with the balcony that looks out over the street. Thus the party starts there and then you can wonder down and stumble home very easily! The music at the clubs here in Africa is sooooooooo gooooood!!! The best music and dancing i have ever seen. I am totally in my element! Haha. Have been to various different scenes- irish bars, niteclubs, reggae bars, trance parties, hiphop clubs and the ever-pumping house. So much fun! My Cape Town experience has been so so so much fun. Have been with the best people and met the best people from all over the world as well as wonderful locals. I am going to miss Africa sooooo much. I am definately coming back....various times.....even to live! Hahah we will see....
* Took the cable car up and had breakfast on Table Mountain which was absolutely stunning.
* Been down to the V&A Waterfront various times to listen to live music, look around the shops and the harbour.
* Had a massive Braai and then watched the New years Eve fireworks at the Waterfront before hitting the clubs in Long Street for an enormous New year celebration.
* Did a tour of the Cape Peninsula. Well actually just jumped into a hire care with two other Aussie guys i met in our dorm. We had a map but its only functional use was as a fan for my face. We did get lost, well we called it 'detouring' various times but saw everything we wanted to see and even had time to stop off at a pub for a few drinks.
* Visited the gorgeous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and Stellenbosch for coffee and lunch and had my face painted in traditional Xhosa way.
* Lazed on the beautiful beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton. Didnt swim because the water is flippin freeeeezing!! There are seals and penguins in the water, thats how cold it is.
* Took walks through the gorgeous city and danced to the beat of street performers drums.
* Bargained my way through all the amazing African craft markets
* Had various Braai's (South African BBQ's)* watched the Cape Minstrel parade through the city.
* Climbed Lions head and had drinks and nibbleys at the top and walked down as the sun set.
But apart from all the touristy things I have had some of the best nights/days out of my life!! The party scene in CApe Town and especially Long Street is constant and ever pumping!! I have been staying with numerous other people that i have met on my travels down the coast so there has always been a big bunch of us keen to hit the town. Plus i have met so many amazing locals who are always rearing to show me the places to go! The backpackers i have been staying at is right in Long Street with the balcony that looks out over the street. Thus the party starts there and then you can wonder down and stumble home very easily! The music at the clubs here in Africa is sooooooooo gooooood!!! The best music and dancing i have ever seen. I am totally in my element! Haha. Have been to various different scenes- irish bars, niteclubs, reggae bars, trance parties, hiphop clubs and the ever-pumping house. So much fun! My Cape Town experience has been so so so much fun. Have been with the best people and met the best people from all over the world as well as wonderful locals. I am going to miss Africa sooooo much. I am definately coming back....various times.....even to live! Hahah we will see....
Monday, 24 December 2007
Travelling around South Africa!
Eish i havent updated this in sooo long. So much has happened!!
Travelling around South Africa has been sooooooooooooooooooooooooo much fun. Whilst in theory i am travelling by myself there has only been half a day where i was actually alone (which was needed to give me voice a rest! haha). I have met the most amazing people from all over the world. Staying at Backpackers is the best! Not too good for the liver though...
After leaving Jo'burg I went to Swaziland and had a brilliant 5 days. Was only supposed to stay for 3 but found the best hostel and met a great group of people so stayed longer. Swaziland is the most beautiful little country with extraordinary mountains and landscape. I highly recommend anyone going to Swazi to stay at Sonzela in the Mlilwane Nature reserve. It is about 3km off the main road but is in the best location. The hostel looks out onto vast grasslands and mountains where zebra, buffalo, impala, kudu and various other wild animals roam freely [including the resident pumba's (warthogs) and ostrich]. Went on a great hike up the mountains, visited waterfalls, traditional villages, spent about an hour in the Sangoma's hut (traditional medicine man) talking and learning about his natural medicine and did little trips into the cute city of Mbabane. Went up into the mountains for the day to visit a rural village. The local children danced for us and we sat and ate a traditional meal cooked my the ladies in the huts. We played games with the kids and watched numerous songs and dancing. Our visit was as a fundraiser for them to build another hut to make a classroom for the preschool kiddies. It was such an amazing day and with our money going to a well deserved cause. Met such a great group of people and i dont think i stopped laughing for about 4 days straight. After Swazi I caught the Baz Bus to Durban and had a brief overnight stop over there before heading into the Drakensburg the next morning. I stayed in an 'interesting' hostel in Durban. Right in the city, above a possible redlight district with some unusual fellow backpackers, however the guy who worked there was from Limpopo so he spoke Sepedi and we got chatting so all was fine. Had 3 days in the Northern Drakensburg. Again i got talking to another great bunch of people also staying at the same place in the Berg. We went for a hike up the massive mountains that border Lesotho to the highest waterfall in Africa, the second highest waterfall in the world!! At one stage we were standing on this ledge that was approx 3100m above sea level. Yo! it was awesome! Watched the sunset over the mountains and had a fun night at the bar giving the pool table and our livers a hiding and chatting to people from all over the world. At one stage i was in a conversation with 2 guys from germany, one guy from the czech republic, 2 girls from london, 2 girls from ireland, one guy from america,and one girl crazily enough from alstonville!! After leaving the Berg had another overnight stopover in Durban then flew out the next morning at 9:30am to Port Elizabeth. I just dont have time to see everything so i had to skip that stretch of coast but Im certain in the future ill b back. Had a great 2 nights in P.E. Very relaxed and beautiful city. Lungile Backpackers was brilliant. Gorgeous place, in an awesome location and run by a really great group of guys. Relaxed at the beach and went for a stroll with Suzy (great friend from England). The locals are soo lovely. we were lying on the beach and this young guy came up to us and introduced himself and asked to be our friend. So polite and sweet. We got chatting, played in the surf and built sandcastles for ages. If only more people had such an open and gentle nature, we would all have so much more fun and certainly more friends!! Had an awesome night with Suzy, Lyle, Olly, Leigh and the guys playing pool etc. Didnt sleep until 4am and then got on the bus at 6:30am. The driver let me put my CD on so we sang and danced most of the way to Jeffreys bay. Picked up 3 of the craziest people i have ever met! Instant friends...Garry, Emma and Sarah from England. They were also still drunk from the night before so joined the party on the bus. It was Gaz's birthday so before we had even got our bags into our rooms at Island Vibe in J Bay we were hitting the bar for Garry's "birthday breakfast". I never thought i would be lining up shots at 10am but what i keep telling myself is.....'when in Rome!!!'. hahaha. That pretty much sums up the next 3 days in J Bay. Such a funky and crazy backpackers. Everyone was definately feeling festive! Checked out the surf factory outlets and lazed on the beach but most of the time was spent dancing with the Hat Club! ...long story and shouldnt really be posted to such a wide audience. This side of South Africa is very different to what i have been experiencing over the past 5 months. It is very much the tourist route and feels a lot like Australia or the Western world. The 'tourist route' as such doesnt extend into Limpopo and therefore a lot of people miss out on what i believe is a very special and inspiring side of South Africa. Thats why i feel so blessed and lucky to have been immersed in that culture and the rural side of South Africa. It has certainly left a much deeper and more profound impact on my life. Dont get me wrong, i am totally loving this side of South Africa as well but i if only more people got to experience the truly rural areas as well I think they would have a much greater understanding and appreciation for the country.
I am currently in a beautiful little area called Gordons Bay staying with the most amazing woman i have ever met! Val is seriously my role model. Having Christmas with her and her family and then will be in Cape town for New Years eve. I am soo soo grateful to have such beautiful people to spend Christmas with. God is truly watching over me!
My experiences in this country have been nothing but positive. A lot of what is projected in the media can give people the wrong impression about this country. Whilst the aids and crime and certain situations here are terrible there is so much more to South Africa than that! Unless you have experienced it yourself it is really hard to explain but I am going to try and do all i can to
paint a much more realistic and positive picture of this amazing country! I think I am totally addicted to the culture, vibe and beat of Africa!! I was warned that it was very contagious and that is certainly true!
Well as u can see all is still great here in S.A! I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope Santa finds you and all ur wishes come true. Christmas for me is all about family and whilst I am missing being at home with my immediate family, I have been adopted into so many families overhere that this years Christmas is certainly still going to be a special one.
Lots and lots and lots of love and God Bless
xoxxooxoxoxox
Travelling around South Africa has been sooooooooooooooooooooooooo much fun. Whilst in theory i am travelling by myself there has only been half a day where i was actually alone (which was needed to give me voice a rest! haha). I have met the most amazing people from all over the world. Staying at Backpackers is the best! Not too good for the liver though...
After leaving Jo'burg I went to Swaziland and had a brilliant 5 days. Was only supposed to stay for 3 but found the best hostel and met a great group of people so stayed longer. Swaziland is the most beautiful little country with extraordinary mountains and landscape. I highly recommend anyone going to Swazi to stay at Sonzela in the Mlilwane Nature reserve. It is about 3km off the main road but is in the best location. The hostel looks out onto vast grasslands and mountains where zebra, buffalo, impala, kudu and various other wild animals roam freely [including the resident pumba's (warthogs) and ostrich]. Went on a great hike up the mountains, visited waterfalls, traditional villages, spent about an hour in the Sangoma's hut (traditional medicine man) talking and learning about his natural medicine and did little trips into the cute city of Mbabane. Went up into the mountains for the day to visit a rural village. The local children danced for us and we sat and ate a traditional meal cooked my the ladies in the huts. We played games with the kids and watched numerous songs and dancing. Our visit was as a fundraiser for them to build another hut to make a classroom for the preschool kiddies. It was such an amazing day and with our money going to a well deserved cause. Met such a great group of people and i dont think i stopped laughing for about 4 days straight. After Swazi I caught the Baz Bus to Durban and had a brief overnight stop over there before heading into the Drakensburg the next morning. I stayed in an 'interesting' hostel in Durban. Right in the city, above a possible redlight district with some unusual fellow backpackers, however the guy who worked there was from Limpopo so he spoke Sepedi and we got chatting so all was fine. Had 3 days in the Northern Drakensburg. Again i got talking to another great bunch of people also staying at the same place in the Berg. We went for a hike up the massive mountains that border Lesotho to the highest waterfall in Africa, the second highest waterfall in the world!! At one stage we were standing on this ledge that was approx 3100m above sea level. Yo! it was awesome! Watched the sunset over the mountains and had a fun night at the bar giving the pool table and our livers a hiding and chatting to people from all over the world. At one stage i was in a conversation with 2 guys from germany, one guy from the czech republic, 2 girls from london, 2 girls from ireland, one guy from america,and one girl crazily enough from alstonville!! After leaving the Berg had another overnight stopover in Durban then flew out the next morning at 9:30am to Port Elizabeth. I just dont have time to see everything so i had to skip that stretch of coast but Im certain in the future ill b back. Had a great 2 nights in P.E. Very relaxed and beautiful city. Lungile Backpackers was brilliant. Gorgeous place, in an awesome location and run by a really great group of guys. Relaxed at the beach and went for a stroll with Suzy (great friend from England). The locals are soo lovely. we were lying on the beach and this young guy came up to us and introduced himself and asked to be our friend. So polite and sweet. We got chatting, played in the surf and built sandcastles for ages. If only more people had such an open and gentle nature, we would all have so much more fun and certainly more friends!! Had an awesome night with Suzy, Lyle, Olly, Leigh and the guys playing pool etc. Didnt sleep until 4am and then got on the bus at 6:30am. The driver let me put my CD on so we sang and danced most of the way to Jeffreys bay. Picked up 3 of the craziest people i have ever met! Instant friends...Garry, Emma and Sarah from England. They were also still drunk from the night before so joined the party on the bus. It was Gaz's birthday so before we had even got our bags into our rooms at Island Vibe in J Bay we were hitting the bar for Garry's "birthday breakfast". I never thought i would be lining up shots at 10am but what i keep telling myself is.....'when in Rome!!!'. hahaha. That pretty much sums up the next 3 days in J Bay. Such a funky and crazy backpackers. Everyone was definately feeling festive! Checked out the surf factory outlets and lazed on the beach but most of the time was spent dancing with the Hat Club! ...long story and shouldnt really be posted to such a wide audience. This side of South Africa is very different to what i have been experiencing over the past 5 months. It is very much the tourist route and feels a lot like Australia or the Western world. The 'tourist route' as such doesnt extend into Limpopo and therefore a lot of people miss out on what i believe is a very special and inspiring side of South Africa. Thats why i feel so blessed and lucky to have been immersed in that culture and the rural side of South Africa. It has certainly left a much deeper and more profound impact on my life. Dont get me wrong, i am totally loving this side of South Africa as well but i if only more people got to experience the truly rural areas as well I think they would have a much greater understanding and appreciation for the country.
I am currently in a beautiful little area called Gordons Bay staying with the most amazing woman i have ever met! Val is seriously my role model. Having Christmas with her and her family and then will be in Cape town for New Years eve. I am soo soo grateful to have such beautiful people to spend Christmas with. God is truly watching over me!
My experiences in this country have been nothing but positive. A lot of what is projected in the media can give people the wrong impression about this country. Whilst the aids and crime and certain situations here are terrible there is so much more to South Africa than that! Unless you have experienced it yourself it is really hard to explain but I am going to try and do all i can to
paint a much more realistic and positive picture of this amazing country! I think I am totally addicted to the culture, vibe and beat of Africa!! I was warned that it was very contagious and that is certainly true!
Well as u can see all is still great here in S.A! I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope Santa finds you and all ur wishes come true. Christmas for me is all about family and whilst I am missing being at home with my immediate family, I have been adopted into so many families overhere that this years Christmas is certainly still going to be a special one.
Lots and lots and lots of love and God Bless
xoxxooxoxoxox
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