Ok so here is the planish type thing. I am putting together a newsletter about the trip. Hopefully I will have it done before school starts...hahaha.
It will be sent to every one that supported me in addition to anyone that would like a copy. Obviously if you would like a copy and I do not have info to send it to you, find a way to get me that info.
I am not completely sure when this will get done so please be patient :)
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Pictures
There are a lot more but I would like to show a lot of them in person. These just showed some of the things we did while there.
Pictures!!! hopefully
This is the hostel we stayed at in Pretoria, it was a pretty amazing place. Tim and Monique were amazing hosts. The fence you see is topped with 6 wires of electric fence and there are also wires across the front.
This is my buddy Ayanda. She rode on my back for probably 3 hours one day. My neck killed!
This is a picture of the rugby game we attended. The Blue Bulls and the Cheetahs. Bulls won.
The Penguin colony at Boulders. There are about 1000 penguins on this side of the beach. I almost stepped on one on the other side of the beach, it was crazy and they smelled horrible.
This is me at the V&A Waterfront. With none of it showing in the picture its funny like that.Friday, July 25, 2008
5 more days
We have come to the tail end of a great trip. Today we are finishing up on all of the activities on campus. We are having a huge braai (BBQ) with the Campus Crusade group here, we also invited nearly everyone we met with in the past couple of weeks, hopefully many of them show up. If not I am super cool and have some as friends on Facebook...hahaha.
It seems like we have been here a long time but looking back it is hard to believe that it has nearly been a month. It is just one of those wierd things. As a group we feel like we actually accomplished a lot, or God accomplished a lot through us.
The next few days will be crazy, tomorrow we are going on a safari, and we have to get up at 5 in the a.m. That is just crazy but apparently we have to get there when the gates open so we have a better chance of seeing animals. We are hoping to see the "Big 5" which are also the animals featured on the currency here.
Then on Sunday we have nothing happening but all kinds of stuff to do. This is when we will be getting as many souveniers as possible. There is an open air market every Sunday with some really cool stuff.
Then Monday we go to Beam one more time and this time there will be another team there and we are having a giant soccer game. It should be incredible.
Tuesday we have a bit of debriefing and possibly go watch Batman (doubt it) then fly out at 3. Then we will be on a planbe for about 26 hours (jealous? hahaha I really think they should create a way to travel Star Trek style, it would be so much faster!)
SO see you all in a few days-ish and this will probably be the last update (there may be one on Sunday) while I am here. Then like I said pics will be posted. TAFN.
It seems like we have been here a long time but looking back it is hard to believe that it has nearly been a month. It is just one of those wierd things. As a group we feel like we actually accomplished a lot, or God accomplished a lot through us.
The next few days will be crazy, tomorrow we are going on a safari, and we have to get up at 5 in the a.m. That is just crazy but apparently we have to get there when the gates open so we have a better chance of seeing animals. We are hoping to see the "Big 5" which are also the animals featured on the currency here.
Then on Sunday we have nothing happening but all kinds of stuff to do. This is when we will be getting as many souveniers as possible. There is an open air market every Sunday with some really cool stuff.
Then Monday we go to Beam one more time and this time there will be another team there and we are having a giant soccer game. It should be incredible.
Tuesday we have a bit of debriefing and possibly go watch Batman (doubt it) then fly out at 3. Then we will be on a planbe for about 26 hours (jealous? hahaha I really think they should create a way to travel Star Trek style, it would be so much faster!)
SO see you all in a few days-ish and this will probably be the last update (there may be one on Sunday) while I am here. Then like I said pics will be posted. TAFN.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Internet 2 days in a row...I'm freakin out man
Stop the insanity, internet time 2 days in a row, impressive.
Ok so I will attempt to cpntinue where I left off.
We were supposed to be back in town at 7 for a traditional meal, but God had a team building exercise planned instead. One of the guys was on the beach and got hurt so we ran down the hill(I say hill but it was almost a mountain-but I am from Colorado so it is a hill) then we put him on a stretcher and carried him back up taking turns carrying. It was a scary time but also a time when out group came together a little bit and we were able to see some new people step up and use their skills. We waited for the ambulence and then returned to the waterfront because it was about the only thing that was open at the time we returned to CapeTown.
After some intense prayer sessions we heard back from the leader that stayed with him. He was completely fine, only 4 stitches and a couple of scrapes. He was able to come home the same night. I can't say a lot but I will fill people in once I come back, well possibly. Basically we think it was a miricle that he escaped with those few injuries.
We slept in once again and then headed to the airport after lunch, it was another short flight with a couple minor glitches, but over all a smooth transition.
We came back to Joburg and then drove to Pretoria and had to go the the opening day of Missions Week where of course we were labeled the "loud Americans" (people talk really quietly here). We joined in singing worship songs some in English and some were we just kind of hollered at a pitch trying to come up with what they were saying, occasionally sounding like we were going to spit on others during the Afrikans songs. Then a guy from the United States came out and apparently we have an accent or something because we were the only people that understood th entire thing. We did more of the same yesterday and tonight we are going to be at the educator's campus. We are preparing to close out the trip and will finish up our "work" on Friday. Saterday we are going on a Safari and then Begining to adjust back to Life in the States and all of our less friendly less open people. This week will be filled with amazing time to eat free food and enjoy what we have done the past few weeks.
Ok we are officially caught up again. Look for pictures when I get back and TAFN.
Ok so I will attempt to cpntinue where I left off.
We were supposed to be back in town at 7 for a traditional meal, but God had a team building exercise planned instead. One of the guys was on the beach and got hurt so we ran down the hill(I say hill but it was almost a mountain-but I am from Colorado so it is a hill) then we put him on a stretcher and carried him back up taking turns carrying. It was a scary time but also a time when out group came together a little bit and we were able to see some new people step up and use their skills. We waited for the ambulence and then returned to the waterfront because it was about the only thing that was open at the time we returned to CapeTown.
After some intense prayer sessions we heard back from the leader that stayed with him. He was completely fine, only 4 stitches and a couple of scrapes. He was able to come home the same night. I can't say a lot but I will fill people in once I come back, well possibly. Basically we think it was a miricle that he escaped with those few injuries.
We slept in once again and then headed to the airport after lunch, it was another short flight with a couple minor glitches, but over all a smooth transition.
We came back to Joburg and then drove to Pretoria and had to go the the opening day of Missions Week where of course we were labeled the "loud Americans" (people talk really quietly here). We joined in singing worship songs some in English and some were we just kind of hollered at a pitch trying to come up with what they were saying, occasionally sounding like we were going to spit on others during the Afrikans songs. Then a guy from the United States came out and apparently we have an accent or something because we were the only people that understood th entire thing. We did more of the same yesterday and tonight we are going to be at the educator's campus. We are preparing to close out the trip and will finish up our "work" on Friday. Saterday we are going on a Safari and then Begining to adjust back to Life in the States and all of our less friendly less open people. This week will be filled with amazing time to eat free food and enjoy what we have done the past few weeks.
Ok we are officially caught up again. Look for pictures when I get back and TAFN.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Cape Town and possibly a short rant :)
OK first the rant.
Mom decided to tell me that my blogs had spelling errors in them, I know that. But I am only on the computer for so long and I am shooting for content not accuracy. If you can figure out what I was trying to say then it worked didn't it? Love you mom! (but seriously check my spelling on something important like homework or something:)
Second I would love to put pictures up too but have no way to do so until we get back in the U.S. I will do that for sure when I get back so come back to check after we get back.
Now on to Capetown!
This weekend we went to Cape Town for "rest and relaxation" (I think I would have gotten more in prison with a huge roommate named Bubba). We flew so it was not a bad trip, it only takes 2 hours in either direction. I think I have flown more on this trip than I have in my entire life, in fact I know I have. I have come to one important conclusion, I like South African Airlines. They have decent food and better pilots(according to me). In 2 more flights I will be back in the States and you can all see pictures!
Back to Cape Town. The first day we landed and got our vans(called taxis here, vans are pickups, soo confusing) then proceeded to our hostel. The dirve was incredible, and we ended up right by Table Mountain. We had a little bit to chill and then we headed to the Waterfront. This is basicall a giant mall with lots and lots of restaurants. I neglected to mention that we did all of this on Nelson Mandela's birthday. Thankfully we did not go there until later though because I have a feeling a few people were there to make the trip out to Robben Island(that might not be spelled right, mom don't yell). Then we returned to the hostel where I was in a bed that still creaked but at least I didn't feel the iron supports in my back. (Side note: I have a new room in pretoria now too!)
The next day we didn't leave until 11am we headed towards the Cape of Good Hope. We made it all the way to a point where we had to go across the mountains/peninsula because the road was closed. This actually worked to our favor because we were able to see the penguins at Boulders(So cute but they smell like poo) Got some awesome pictures, almost stepped on one, you know the usual. We ate in Simon'sTown and then proceeded on our trip. Entering the park our van pretended to see an animal and slam on the brakes to see what the other van would do, of course they fell for it, but then we actually did see an ostrich. After parking we hiked to the starting point where some people went down to the beach and others went up to the lighthouse(s). I went to the lighthouse and tried to take pictures along the way, but my batteries died, I borrowed some and still got a few pics.
Three of the leaders, Carly and I decided to go to the Point where the second lighthouse is(the one they built lower after the Lusitania sunk) We had half an hour and took off, we came to a sign that said "return hike 1.5 hours" we looked at it and said there's no way, so we took off. It was a pretty brisk walk. We make it out to the point in about 10 minutes, we're good. Then we paused to look and take a couple pictures, then ran away. AND I MEAN RAN we only slowed down so that we didn't knock a little girl of the path and when a group of elderly people got in the way. WE made it bake to the vans with 2 minutes to spare (1.5 hours sign, I scoff at you).
Ok I have to go but hopefully I can continue this later. SO TAFN.
Mom decided to tell me that my blogs had spelling errors in them, I know that. But I am only on the computer for so long and I am shooting for content not accuracy. If you can figure out what I was trying to say then it worked didn't it? Love you mom! (but seriously check my spelling on something important like homework or something:)
Second I would love to put pictures up too but have no way to do so until we get back in the U.S. I will do that for sure when I get back so come back to check after we get back.
Now on to Capetown!
This weekend we went to Cape Town for "rest and relaxation" (I think I would have gotten more in prison with a huge roommate named Bubba). We flew so it was not a bad trip, it only takes 2 hours in either direction. I think I have flown more on this trip than I have in my entire life, in fact I know I have. I have come to one important conclusion, I like South African Airlines. They have decent food and better pilots(according to me). In 2 more flights I will be back in the States and you can all see pictures!
Back to Cape Town. The first day we landed and got our vans(called taxis here, vans are pickups, soo confusing) then proceeded to our hostel. The dirve was incredible, and we ended up right by Table Mountain. We had a little bit to chill and then we headed to the Waterfront. This is basicall a giant mall with lots and lots of restaurants. I neglected to mention that we did all of this on Nelson Mandela's birthday. Thankfully we did not go there until later though because I have a feeling a few people were there to make the trip out to Robben Island(that might not be spelled right, mom don't yell). Then we returned to the hostel where I was in a bed that still creaked but at least I didn't feel the iron supports in my back. (Side note: I have a new room in pretoria now too!)
The next day we didn't leave until 11am we headed towards the Cape of Good Hope. We made it all the way to a point where we had to go across the mountains/peninsula because the road was closed. This actually worked to our favor because we were able to see the penguins at Boulders(So cute but they smell like poo) Got some awesome pictures, almost stepped on one, you know the usual. We ate in Simon'sTown and then proceeded on our trip. Entering the park our van pretended to see an animal and slam on the brakes to see what the other van would do, of course they fell for it, but then we actually did see an ostrich. After parking we hiked to the starting point where some people went down to the beach and others went up to the lighthouse(s). I went to the lighthouse and tried to take pictures along the way, but my batteries died, I borrowed some and still got a few pics.
Three of the leaders, Carly and I decided to go to the Point where the second lighthouse is(the one they built lower after the Lusitania sunk) We had half an hour and took off, we came to a sign that said "return hike 1.5 hours" we looked at it and said there's no way, so we took off. It was a pretty brisk walk. We make it out to the point in about 10 minutes, we're good. Then we paused to look and take a couple pictures, then ran away. AND I MEAN RAN we only slowed down so that we didn't knock a little girl of the path and when a group of elderly people got in the way. WE made it bake to the vans with 2 minutes to spare (1.5 hours sign, I scoff at you).
Ok I have to go but hopefully I can continue this later. SO TAFN.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
FOOD!
First I appologise for the length of the last post, it was kind of ridiculous:)
The last couple days we have been going to the Education campus of the University of Pretoria and talking to a bunch of guys. People here are so much more open to conversations than they are in the U.S. We can literally just go in to a persons room and start talking about whatever we want to talk about. So cool!
The other thing i want to share about is food. I am a "foodie" so you had to know this was coming. I have eaten at so many different restaurants that it is kind of crazy. I have come to a couple conclusions: first, american food is not that much worse than other countries, the people just work more and have less free time. Second, McDonald's is virtually the same all over the place(here they have a MegaMac which is a bigmac with 4 patties on it, now thats crazyness) Finally, chicken is prized more here, it is actually more expensive than beef.
I am getting ready to go to MickeyD's here in a second anyway.
Today we have stuff going on with the Campus Crusade group on campus and will get to see what it is like in another country, and hopefully see some of the people we have met so far.
Tomorrow the group is going to Cape Town for some much needed rest, a whole lot of people barely woke up this morning. Hopefully we will be able to do touristy type stuff there as well.
Thats all for now I have to leave time to go to the post office and stand in line for a few hours:)
The last couple days we have been going to the Education campus of the University of Pretoria and talking to a bunch of guys. People here are so much more open to conversations than they are in the U.S. We can literally just go in to a persons room and start talking about whatever we want to talk about. So cool!
The other thing i want to share about is food. I am a "foodie" so you had to know this was coming. I have eaten at so many different restaurants that it is kind of crazy. I have come to a couple conclusions: first, american food is not that much worse than other countries, the people just work more and have less free time. Second, McDonald's is virtually the same all over the place(here they have a MegaMac which is a bigmac with 4 patties on it, now thats crazyness) Finally, chicken is prized more here, it is actually more expensive than beef.
I am getting ready to go to MickeyD's here in a second anyway.
Today we have stuff going on with the Campus Crusade group on campus and will get to see what it is like in another country, and hopefully see some of the people we have met so far.
Tomorrow the group is going to Cape Town for some much needed rest, a whole lot of people barely woke up this morning. Hopefully we will be able to do touristy type stuff there as well.
Thats all for now I have to leave time to go to the post office and stand in line for a few hours:)
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