The Situation:

My photo
I am on the largest adventure of my life: A Gap Year! I will be volunteering in 6 different countries across the world from July 12th, 2011- July 16th, 2012. Motive: “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Promise of Return.

Molo! Mora! Howzit?! :)

My four African months have come to a close. I wrote this reminiscence from seat 35D on Malaysia Airlines en route to Cambodia. Since my birthday, I have engaged in many an amazing experience.

November 3-10: Ten-hour bus ride across South Africa to Port Elizabeth... shacks, haybales, oceans, and mountains lined the countryside. Once in PE, I volunteered at a home for children who have come from impoverished families. One girl, Emmy, carried the scars of her malnourished childhood upon her face. Many children resided happily here, awaiting a forever family to adopt them.
Another excursion in PE brought me to ADDO elephant park. Here, the Circle of Life occurred once again feet from our car, with baby elephants a la carte to the 50-some herd! Filled my heart with happiness!

November 12th: My drama kids performed their skit for the other 60 students. Twas a proud moment for me. After the performance, my kiddies were rewarded with Christmas goodies and Kentucky Fried Chicken. :)

November 24th: Thanksgiving--not only an American tradition anymore! My wonderful SA family humored me and thus butternut squash pie was born as a pumpkin pie substitute. We then took a literal approach to the Native American picnicking and wore feathers in our hair. We then ate pizza...:)
No one liked the "pumpkin" pie except for the American!

December 8th: I was given a tour of a place called Cotlands. Inside, newborns and toddlers with AIDS find happiness and sanctuary. Upon the wall in a long hallway held the portraits of 30 children who lost the battle against AIDS. At the end of this very same hallway, chidren joyfully played and laughed--completely unaware of their numbered days....  bittersweet.

December 9th:
Shark Cage Diving!
Boarding the boat named "Nemo" with 20 strangers suddenly became an adventure when 6-foot waves plummeted into the vessel. Once in the open ocean, the cage was harnesses to the boat by one rope. Wetsuited up, I climbed into the cage's turbulent water as sharks lurked nearby.
Tuna heads floated on a line in front of us as we watched and waited. Out of nowhere, the guides told us to go under and watch for the shark. All that was visible was the rope from the bait as I watched it WHIP past the cage...I then knew the great white held the other end. I surfaced in time to see the beast thrashing in front of my eyes! NOM to the NOM.

December 11th: Township (Shantytown) Tour!
Seeing the inner-workings of a township provided me with understanding and appreciation towards this seemingly unfortunate community. However, the recycled, reused, and reduced lifestyle proved that a minimalistic society can still be a happy one! Some of the nicest people I met in South Africa lived in one room with 3 other families.
With a potato-skin beer and a sheep tongue in my belly, I left the township with my faith restored in humanity's ability to create peace amongst war and happiness despite poverty.

December 12th: On this day, I had the most eye-opening experience when I visited new mothers and their premature babies at a hospital. The program is called Bosom Buddies and they bring a bag of goods to the new mother. Not only did I witness 20 mothers in one room, but I stood awestruck at the side the incubators that held the most fragile humans...premature babies fighting for their lives. Amazing.

December 25th & December 31st:  My first Christmas away from family, but my surrogate one made it special regardless. Singing carols with 30 family members, hugging Santa, and feasting like a beast was indubitably merry!!
New Year's Eve was my best yet as we braai-ed multiple meat categories and socialized around champagne and cupcakes....The countdown landed the cool few, sparklers in hand, into the pool, clothes and all.
YAY!

January 1-4th: Goodbye City!

At my old age home, I spent the day with my cronies. I left a rose with my favorites and promised I would write to them. I must admit that these octogenarians were indeed my favorite people.

I did my last soup kitchen with my best pals Malakkie, David, and Grace. We had such fun working together once a week for the past four months...feedin' the needin' and having a blast. Sadly, it ended with a group hug and tears....and a promise of return...one day.  :(

My final evening was a jamboree at the beach with my university buds. We had champagne in kiddie cups on a picnic blanket and bonded while watching the sunset. After hugging everyone goodbye, for potentially the last time, we took one final dusk dip  into the sea. The waves were bein' something fierce, so we almost died. :)
The sky and the sea melted together as I embraced my last South African moments.

MAGICALITY.

Thank you, South Africa.

I love you loooong time.


Yours,
La Americana ♥


*pictures coming soon to this blog near you!*

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