A Few Highlights

Hello Again.

Today I had a day off because it is South Africa's municipal elections so it is a national holiday. Since I obviously can't vote it was just a Wednesday with no work for me. Naturally I took a nap and now I'm not very sleepy so I am going to post a few more pictures of a few of my highlights so far...

These first 3 pictures are from the past Saturday, May 14th. Nkosi's Haven enjoyed a fun day that was put on by a local group of families and friends that like to organize fun days for homes and orphanages. After being somewhat annoyed that there was about 100 kids yelling outside my window at 8am on Saturday morning, I joined the fun. The kids had a great time and it was nice to see them enjoying the day. There was a bouncy castle, an elephant ride (like those ones you'd see in the mall, not a live elephant), hula hoops and then there was a visit from the Johannesburg Zoo with a cockroach, bunny, lizard and a snake much to the terror of many of the 2-4 year-olds. I ended up with four kids crowded into my lap all screaming from fear and excitement as other kids touched the animals.

Later on Saturday I set off with another volunteer, Silke, to visit another friend she has staying with a host family in a township, Daveyton. I could write a book on the whole experience but for now I will leave you with the part where I tried eating worms. As most of you know I have been vegetarian for about 6 years but I decided that while I am in South Africa I am not going to limit me from trying new things. Technically these are caterpillars but they are called mopane worms. Eating bugs has a big EW factor in North America but really it wasn't much different from any other food. Almost a bit anti-climatic actually. I excepted a big explosion of green guts or some sort of weird burst of flavour but they tasted .. a fishy and chewy. Not bad really.

I get many visitors in my office, usually kids, but also peacocks. There are an unknown number of peacocks living at Nkosi's Haven and they are very nosy creatures. I happened to have my camera on this day so I snapped a picture. I won't let them come in the door, I'm worried they'd act Canada geese and peck me or something.

I'm going to try to keep updating, so far I am enjoying blogging, it gives me a good opportunity to reflect on and try to explain my experiences. Byeeeee!!