Newbies

So, the newcomers have definitely breathed renewed vigor into this tired traveler. Though this fervor leads to lack of sleep… what a weekend!

Basically, we went out and did the bar scene and got very little sleep. I showed Chris and Jess (the newest COST student) around the Waterfront on Saturday and today we went to the beach at Muizenburg. I just cannot say it enough – this country is spectacular! It is the most beautiful place I have ever been. Whether I am climbing mountains or relaxing on white sandy beaches, I am continuously amazed by the scenery (and pictures just do not do it justice).

So, we leave for our safari on Tuesday night. I can’t imagine what I’m getting myself into, but I’m so excited!

The first day of fall

That's right ladies and gents, in just two days it'll be the first day of fall here. I'm looking forward to it cooling off a bit because the weather in this neck of the woods will still be LOVELY! haha.

This past week was very nice indeed! Dr. Howell (from UK) observed me twice and gave me some much needed CONSTRUCTIVE feedback on ways to enrich my experience here. About time.

On Thursday, I attended my first Braai at Dr. Baxen's house, which was very nice for the most part. Kaylene (another supervisor-type) made this amazing Malaysian dish. YUM. I was supposed to go to Tesha's school for an overnight simulation of the removal that took place during the Apartheid, but I opted out to keep myself sane and chipper (two qualities I cannot affirm in those who chose to attend) for the next day of teaching.

Friday night we saw the Cape Cobra's beat the Durbin something-or-others in my second cricket match. The game went down to the last ball, which was really exciting! Then, Chris and I did some roommate bonding over drinks at Cubana (the place we went for my birthday).

Saturday were planning on taking the Cable car to the top of Table Mountain and walking around, but it was so windy the car wasn't running. So, we relaxed and then went to a traditional African restaurant. I had oxtail with curry sauce (yum), ostrich, kudu, and springbok. Interesting and good. It made me think of my dad (you would have enjoyed it, pops). Oh, I also tried pap (pronounced "pop") which is a traditional African meal (like a mix between grits and mashed potatoes - it was good if you mixed it with the oxtail curry). There was live music and dancing. The group ended up cutting the rug in front of the whole restaurant. It was great!

Finally, on Sunday Dr. Howell, Tesha, Chris, and I went to Green Point - a craft market that has all kinds of touristy things like masks and such. I got some goodies and then we went to the Waterfront and I ate an ostrich burger (I like ostrich - hopefully, I'll get to ride one with Erica when she gets here! no joke, you can do that!).

So, that's that. We have Wednesday off school for Human Rights Day and some of us are going to go wine tasting. Don't worry, though, we're hiring (aka renting) a car! Then a week from tomorrow, we leave for our safari! I can't wait!

Love you all! Hope you are well!

Safari Time... almost!

Check it. I leave a week from Wednesday!

Trip Itenerary:

Day 1 – Central Kruger Park – South Africa
Depart from Johannesburg and make our way to the world-renowned Kruger National Park. After settling into camp, we venture out on our first exciting game drive as we explore Africa’s famed “Big Five” territory. We return to camp at sunset, before heading out on an open vehicle night drive accompanied by Kruger Park Rangers. Dinner to be enjoyed around the log fire, listening to the sounds of the African night.

Day 2 – Northern Kruger Park – South Africa
An early rise, we start the day with coffee and rusks befor venturing out to explore Northern Kruger. Most of the day will be spent game viewing, bird watching and stopping at various waterholes en route to our northern camp. Arriving at our camp at sunset, we settle down for a traditional braii (barbeque) for dinner and relax around the campfire.

Day 3 – Great Zimbabwe – Zimbabwe
Up at daybreak, we go on our last game drive in Kruger Park, before heading towards the border post at Beitbridge and into Zimbabwe. We then make our way to the town of Masvingo and the sight of the Great Zimbabwe Monument. Overnight at a campsite in Masvingo.

Day 4 – Chipengali Wildlife Orphange – Zimbabwe
After breakfast, we take a guided walking tour of the mysterious archaeological site known as the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. We then depart for Zimbabwe’s second largest city, Bulawayo and spend the afternoon on a tour of the Chipengali Wildlife Orphanage. Overnight at Bulawayo.

Day 5 & 6 – Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe
Departing Bulawayo after breakfast, we head for Victoria Falls (one of the seven wonders of the world!). We arrive in time to set up camp and relax, before heading out on a sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River. Sundowner drinks and snacks to be enjoyed on board. After dinner, we venture out to explore the nightlife of Victoria Falls. Time is spent at your leisure over these two days. Optional activities include white water rafting, bungy jumping, a canoeing safari, or even the “flight of the angels” over the falls. We spend one evening out on the town enjoying a traditional meal at one of the local restaurants.

Day 7 – Chobe – Botswana
This morning we explore the magnificent Victoria Falls before venturing out for the Kazangula border post and into Botswana. We set up camp on the edge of the Chobe National Park, where you have the option to relax or enjoy some great game viewing on a Chobe River Cruise.

Day 8 – Nata (Makgadikgadi Pans) – Botswana
We venture out into an open 4x4 vehicle to explore the Chobe National Park, home to some of the largest herds of migratory elephant in Africa. After brunch, our journey takes us south to the edge of the famous Makgadikgadi Pan, where you have the opportunity of an optional trip to the fascinating pans. The evening is to be spent camping at Nata Lodge.

Day 9 – Johannesburg – South AfricaAn early rise, we enjoy coffee and rusks before departing for Martin’s Drift border post, we have breakfast en route, then onto the final stretch to Johannesburg.

More later, but new pictures!

Check out Erica's stuff at: www.livepersonalshoppers.com

3 weeks until BREAK! (see new pictures!)

What an amazing weekend! Friday night Tesha, Chris (our new roommate) and I went out to dinner and chitchatted the night away. Then, on Saturday Simone and Mark took the four of us (all roomies) to Boulder Beach where we got to swim with the penguins! See pictures. Impressively, Chris, Tesha, Nathan, and I all squeezed into the back of Simone’s hatchback… it was interesting!

I tried to pet a penguin at the beach and it bit me! Haha! No blood, though. Then, Nathan, Chris, and I climbed all over these huge rocks. I accidentally slipped and fell into the water, cutting my wrist, hands, feet, and bum on the way in. But a little relaxation on one of those rocks, and I was ready to go again. Then, we walked along the path at the beach to see more penguins and got back into the car to go to Bloubergstrand. On the way to Bloubergstrand, we saw some baboons on the side of the road!

In Bloubergstrand, we went to a little restaurant right on the beach and had some pizza and beer. YUM. I decided to be adventurous and had the Four Seasons Pizza (mushrooms, asparagus, tomato, and ANCHOVIES)…. It was different. Very salty.

Today we are going to walk to Kirstenbosch to see the place and then to a concert in the gardens and then to a concert there with Dr. Baxen and Dr. Howell (who’s here for ten days from UK).

Oh, I also caught my first cricket match on Wednesday. It was really fun! Like baseball, only interesting… haha. I got a free hard hat.

Bye bye now.

P.S. Is anyone still reading this thing?

P.S.S. Simone is giving me her old phone, so I should be up and running again by the middle of next week. WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH. Simone said she didn’t even feel sorry for me when she heard that my phone got stolen ON MY BIRTHDAY because it was stupid of me to have it in the outside pocket. Oops! Stupid American tourist!

24 years of GLORY!

Heh heh. Or something. So, yesterday was my birthday for those of you who are oblivious to things of great importance. And as usual, I have found that low or lack of expectations creates wonderful birthdays! I went out to brunch at Melissa’s Constantia, the most adorable café that had a big (probably 15 person) kitchen table in the middle of the floor and everyone just sat together, like some very large, particularly dysfunctional family. They had cakes and muffins and a cold breakfast buffet (which I opted for) with granola, mueslix, delicious fresh fruit (which is always amazing here), oatmeal, honey, more granola = YUMS in TUMS. Teneal (one of the grade 3 teachers) invited me and we were joined by 5 other teachers from Rustenburg and one unsuspecting boyfriend. The people were really nice and Teneal gave me really nice beady bracelets and I got some lotion from another teacher. Which was very sweet seeing as I didn’t expect anything.

Then, I went to the mall to doing a little shopping for myself and while I was in one shop, I had my cell phone swiped! This put a slight damper on the day, but I decided it was better that than my iPod or my wallet! So, oh well.

Then, I relaxed for a bit and went out to a very chic Cuban restaurant called Cubana – I can’t figure out where they came up with the name… with my two roommates. We had steak and jalapenos and some vino and then I had a flaming shot in lieu of a birthday cake. Super sweet! (meaning particularly nasty) My roommates ended up picking up the tab (the sweethearts) and we took the bus home. It really was a lovely day! Thanks to everyone for the birthday emails and to my pops for singing me an exceptionally beautiful rendition of an old classic (you know the one). TWO DOZEN. I am old!

So, this week I am teaching Monday, Wednesday, and Friday all by myself and then next week I teach the entire week solo! WHOOH! I’m excited and just a bit nervous. The Solar System Unit is going very well (the girls love it) and this week the girls are doing group projects on Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, so wish me luck!

P.S. Keep holding your breath for the meatloaf on a stick explanation… mwah haha! Ah, patience, grasshoppah.

"the gerkin"

The most spectacularly disgusting thing happened to me this morning. I still can't believe it.

6:03am - I awake, feeling not so refreshed due to the warm room conditions and a snoring roommate, but I drag my tiny heiny (love to the sister) into the shower and emerge refreshed and cleansed, ready for the day that lies ahead.

6:14am - I sneak into the room so as not to wake said snoring roommate and tiptoe up to my bed, so I can make it (what a good girl I am, right, Mama?). What's that little stain? Did I have a bloody nose last night? Maybe that's why I didn't sleep so well. I go up to touch the stain, to see if it's blood... it's 3-dimensional... and slimy. A worm? I poke it. It turns over... it has a little face. It's a DEAD BABY LIZARD!

I'm in shock. Did I sleep with it all night? Did I kill the little baby lizard?

I collect myself and the lizard... and have a little laugh, but decide that I need my sheets changed before I can sleep in that bed again.

I run into "the domestic" (aka housekeeper) on my way to school and try to explain the situation to her. Could she please change my sheets because I found a dead baby lizard in my bed this morning. She looks confused. I remember the last lizard escapade and recall that my students used a different name for the lizard... it started with a g.... gerkin? So, I tell the housekeeper that there was a dead baby gerkin in my bed this morning and could she please change the sheets. This time she looks at me like I'm crazy. I try to repeat myself, enunciating, speaking more slowly... then, I remember, the students didn't say gerkin. They said gecco. I just told the housekeeper that I found a little baby pickle in my bed!

I attempt to sort out the situation... but I feel like a fool. LIKE A FOOL! Haha! Oops! Off to school!

P.S. The sheets were changed.

Stay tuned for the next episode: Meatloaf on a stick.

I love Cape Town!

Oh, what a beautiful mooooooooorning! And now, it’s actually a beautiful day/afternoon. I just got back from Kenilworth where Tesha and I did some much needed shopping! YAY!

I’m not gonna lie. The last few weeks have been tough. Being away from family and other personal drama, it makes me crave the comfort of home. But I’ve made it through and things are going really well! This past Monday I taught the entire day (except for the Afrikaans lesson). I also taught Maths for three days IN A ROW (I know, spectacular!) AND (yeah, I’m not even finished yet) we are well on our way with the Solar System Unit of which I am the BOSS! Hard to believe I’ve come so far. Yeah, I know it.

Tuesday Mrs. Meyer took me to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and we have a very nice walk through this spectacular place (I’m definitely going back with my camera… and a good book). One of the most popular flowers is called Erica (spelled the same way. Mom, did you know that?) My teacher was surprised when I told her that was my sister’s name. I don’t think she’s ever heard of it as a person’s name before. It made me miss my mama as I zoned out when Mrs. Meyer talked about the names of the many many flowers and plants (heh heh).

Thursday the grade 3s went to the Planetarium. I asked my students what it was like before we got there. They said it was like a domed-shaped movie theater. I immediately envisioned the I-Max… hmmm…. It was a bit different. Try tiny. The movie was supposed to be about the planets, but it was basically a hyped up cartoon, but the cartoons didn’t even change position. It was just a photo that moved... The girls loved it. Then we walked around the garden and the teachers and I had tea in a little café under a tree. A pigeon pooped on one of the girls and I found out that that’s considered good luck!

I have recently noticed the spectacular amount of cockroaches in this beautiful city. Thankfully, the ones that I see are all dead. On the ground at my school. On the sidewalk (called pavement here). Right in front of my face as I did a backbend over a yoga ball at the gym… that one was my favorite. We really bonded.

P.S. Check out new peekshurs (translation: pictures)
P.P.S. Another funny tale. We were shopping at the little vender places right outside the mall and I asked this woman what size the dress was. She said something, and I could not understand her. So she said, "small may-sssssssss" (small makes). I apologized then started laughing. It was funny. Oh, silly, silly American. Can't understand the accent. She laughed. I laughed. Being a foreigner is strange and hilarious.