Hi everyone!
Since today is the last day of the month, we have all been given access to the Orphan Care's internet. After today they'll have to conserve it because they get a monthly alottment.
We arrived here last night in pitch black darkness after 8 hours drive from Jo-burg. The road were pretty good but narrow. The closer we got, the more beautiful it was - mountains etc.
Once we arrived we lugged everything to our very tiny rooms, dealt with a very large spider, and got some sleep. The toilets flush but there is no hot water. My next shower will either be very cold or not until Friday night! We spent the day preparing for our first day of camp tomorrow. We've met several of the workers here - all very nice.
This morning when I came out of our room I could hear drumming/singing - across a valley a small group of kids were probably celebrating their break from school. Caught it on video - as I zoomed in I realized that they were dancing as well.
We also shopped for our food - not Piggly Wiggly!! Our meals will be simple and different! The local pastor came to meet us and invite us to worship with them on Sunday. Unfortunately we will probably be out of town.
Anyway, besides the big spiders we're doing really well.
Take care everyone,
Cheri
Monday, June 30, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Hi everyone,
Well, not sure if this will work today. We're all packed up here in Johannesburg and about to load the cars for our 8 hour drive to Ingwavuma. We barely fit in the cars with all of our suitcases and donation bags - clearly no space for the drive to see out the back. Tricky when she is working so hard to drive on the left! She (Alyssa) is fantastic. Not sure what I'll do if she can't drive because I think I'm the next candidate!
This morning we're going to the market for some souvenier shopping. Last night we had a working evening, preparing for our camp starting on Tuesday. We reviewed all STIs and drugs, made books, rolled balls of yarn for power dolls, and had lots of fun. We adopted Brad, a peace corp worker staying here, and he was a ton of help with all of the work.
Not sure when the next internet access will be.. hopefully next weekend!
Take care everyone! Thank you for all of your prayers and positive thoughts - they're felt way over here!
Cheri
Well, not sure if this will work today. We're all packed up here in Johannesburg and about to load the cars for our 8 hour drive to Ingwavuma. We barely fit in the cars with all of our suitcases and donation bags - clearly no space for the drive to see out the back. Tricky when she is working so hard to drive on the left! She (Alyssa) is fantastic. Not sure what I'll do if she can't drive because I think I'm the next candidate!
This morning we're going to the market for some souvenier shopping. Last night we had a working evening, preparing for our camp starting on Tuesday. We reviewed all STIs and drugs, made books, rolled balls of yarn for power dolls, and had lots of fun. We adopted Brad, a peace corp worker staying here, and he was a ton of help with all of the work.
Not sure when the next internet access will be.. hopefully next weekend!
Take care everyone! Thank you for all of your prayers and positive thoughts - they're felt way over here!
Cheri
Friday, June 27, 2008
Hi everyone,
I am here! This is already the most incredible experience! Our flights and travels have worked out perfectly so far. Long and gruelly but not problems. Today, Friday, we were treated to our first animal experiences. Our leaders wanted us to have some up close and personal time with cheetahs and took us to a cheetah reserve - at this place they have many endangered species. We took hundreds, probably over a thousand between the seven of us, pictures of cheetahs, wild dogs, honey badgers, vultures, and more. We got to pet a cheetah (pictures to prove it). I adopted a wild dog puppy (financial support - Pfeffer is still an only dog). After that we were taken by surprise when we took the long way back to Johannesburg and went to a lion park. When we pulled in a giraffe walked up to our car. As I was taking photos the giraffe got so close that I only had his legs - and then his head was in the window! It was incredible! Then we drove through lion reserves and took so many awesome photos - can't describe it. We had a chance to walk in a small area with lion cubs - petting them. They are so playful. We drove through the rest of the park and saw zebras, springbok, ostrich, and more. While all of these animals were contained, it was a great chance to see them up close in a non-zoo setting.
We've had awesome food as well. We're staying at the Ritz backpackers lodge - a hostel that is very fun. Today's weather was really warm - at least 70. As soon as the sun goes down it is COLD, though! The dorm I'm staying in has panes out of two of the windows so it was a cold night last night and will be for the next 2, I'm sure.
Sat. we'll be shopping for supplies for our teaching, and then we'll do another tourist thing. Sunday we'll be driving 8 hours to Ingwavuma. Monday we'll be planning and getting all ready to start the camp on Tuesday. WE are all really excited! While 3 of us decided to be added to our car rental, we've elected Alyssa to be our permanent driver - it is driving on the left with the steering wheel on the right. Our constant reminder in the car is "hug the left" - it is all very counter intuitive! (since it is stick shift she also has to shift with the left hand:) I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to try it after watching her drive on the "normal" side of the road more often than we want her to!
The city of Johannesburg is very beautiful and also sad - the desparity between the so very rich and the so very poor, sometimes within yards of each other. Sobering.
Anyway, I'm happy to have this chance to post here. Hopefully there will be more chances!
Go ahead and email me if you want. If I have a chance to buy more minutes on the computer I will be able to check that.
Love,
Cheri
I am here! This is already the most incredible experience! Our flights and travels have worked out perfectly so far. Long and gruelly but not problems. Today, Friday, we were treated to our first animal experiences. Our leaders wanted us to have some up close and personal time with cheetahs and took us to a cheetah reserve - at this place they have many endangered species. We took hundreds, probably over a thousand between the seven of us, pictures of cheetahs, wild dogs, honey badgers, vultures, and more. We got to pet a cheetah (pictures to prove it). I adopted a wild dog puppy (financial support - Pfeffer is still an only dog). After that we were taken by surprise when we took the long way back to Johannesburg and went to a lion park. When we pulled in a giraffe walked up to our car. As I was taking photos the giraffe got so close that I only had his legs - and then his head was in the window! It was incredible! Then we drove through lion reserves and took so many awesome photos - can't describe it. We had a chance to walk in a small area with lion cubs - petting them. They are so playful. We drove through the rest of the park and saw zebras, springbok, ostrich, and more. While all of these animals were contained, it was a great chance to see them up close in a non-zoo setting.
We've had awesome food as well. We're staying at the Ritz backpackers lodge - a hostel that is very fun. Today's weather was really warm - at least 70. As soon as the sun goes down it is COLD, though! The dorm I'm staying in has panes out of two of the windows so it was a cold night last night and will be for the next 2, I'm sure.
Sat. we'll be shopping for supplies for our teaching, and then we'll do another tourist thing. Sunday we'll be driving 8 hours to Ingwavuma. Monday we'll be planning and getting all ready to start the camp on Tuesday. WE are all really excited! While 3 of us decided to be added to our car rental, we've elected Alyssa to be our permanent driver - it is driving on the left with the steering wheel on the right. Our constant reminder in the car is "hug the left" - it is all very counter intuitive! (since it is stick shift she also has to shift with the left hand:) I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to try it after watching her drive on the "normal" side of the road more often than we want her to!
The city of Johannesburg is very beautiful and also sad - the desparity between the so very rich and the so very poor, sometimes within yards of each other. Sobering.
Anyway, I'm happy to have this chance to post here. Hopefully there will be more chances!
Go ahead and email me if you want. If I have a chance to buy more minutes on the computer I will be able to check that.
Love,
Cheri
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
June 24
Well, tomorrow is take-off! I am sort of packed - lots to do today! On Sunday we all met with our donations and started packing our big army surplus bags. We ended up with so many donations that we'll be shipping some of it!
We also had a gathering for our families on Sunday. It was great to meet everyone's important people, share some food and conversation, and hang out together.
Again, ngibonga kakhula (I thank you very much) for all of your support, donations, prayers, and notes and phone calls of encouragement. Wish for me a warmer South African winter than Wisconsin winter of '08!
I hope to be able to post here from Johannesburg between July 26-July 29 before we head off for Ingwavuma. After that, we'll hope for more internet access but who knows!
Cheri
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
14 days to go! Our team is going to be ready for anything now that we've taken our self defense class through Impact Chicago. I highly recommend this organization - our trainers were incredible (Mark and Martha).
Right now, besides finishing the school year in my own classroom and trying to prepare for a graduation party and having ALL of my basement carpet removed due to water damage, I am trying to focus on collecting donated items that we'll be taking in duffle bags. Thanks to everyone at my church (Sun Prairie United Methodist Church) and in my school district (Monona Grove) for all of the medical supplies, school supplies, beanie babies, hand knit hats, etc. that I've gotten so far.
Right now, besides finishing the school year in my own classroom and trying to prepare for a graduation party and having ALL of my basement carpet removed due to water damage, I am trying to focus on collecting donated items that we'll be taking in duffle bags. Thanks to everyone at my church (Sun Prairie United Methodist Church) and in my school district (Monona Grove) for all of the medical supplies, school supplies, beanie babies, hand knit hats, etc. that I've gotten so far.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)