Sunday, September 28, 2008
It's coming to an end...
I can't believe my 15 weeks here in Africa is coming to an end. It has gone so quickly, but at the same time it seems like ages ago that I left NYC. I'm really sad to leave, but really looking forward to coming home and seeing family and friends as well. I have had such an incredible time here and it's been an experience I will always treasure. When I came to Africa I was thinking of what help I was going to be to people here and what I would be able to teach them - it turned out it wasn't me that taught them, it was them that taught me. Thanks to all of you for your love, prayers and support. I will defintiely still be posting more - I have a lot to fill you in on and loads of photos still to share! Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. I'm hoping the rain will go away and they sun will come out for the last day in Swaziland! xx Jamie
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Photos from Swaziland
This may be the longest I have gone without a post. The days are just going so quickly - only a couple of weeks left! I have loved everywhere I have been, but there is something about Swaziland that makes it special. The people, the landscape, the history, the tradition - it's all quite unbelievable.
Now to catch you up....
The first week we were here we drove up to Kruger National Park in South Africa. We spent four nights camping and were on drives during the days looking for animals. Even with the fact that the area is suffering from a drought and all the water holes are dried up we managed to see a good deal.
We saw the big 5!
The elephant...
The rhino...
The leopard (we saw a leopard three times and twice right next to the vehicle - extremely lucky)...
The lion (you have to look closely)...
The water buffalo (somehow, this was the one we had the most difficult finding)...
Some of my other favourites - the giraffe and zebra...
We also got to go for a walk and saw zebra, water buffalo and rhino - but all from a good distance. If anything tried to attack I was ready ;)...
Once we got back from Kruger we started our community work. The first couple of days we were making bricks with earth and water. Extremely harder than I thought it would be - it took five of us just to work the machine. I don't have any photos of us working just yet - the last day we were suppose to go we had rain - and probably most of the brick we made washed away. I do though have photos of the children that live around there - they are the ones we are building the house for.
Thursday we were at one of the NCP Centers (Neighborhood Care Point). The NCP is set up for orphan and vulnerable children in the area that can't afford to go to school. It gives them a place to go to play, learn and made sure they receive breakfast and lunch. We had a craft day with them and had such a great time. Such amazing children with such big smiles on their faces.
During the weekends and evenings we are able to explore beautiful Swaziland - this is me on a quad bike...
Well, it's time to get out and enjoy this beautiful Sunday morning - I have been sitting at the laptop looking out at a stunning landscape. This is the most incredible view from a laptop - I'll try and post a photo of it soon. I'm hoping it won't take as long for the next post.
Now to catch you up....
The first week we were here we drove up to Kruger National Park in South Africa. We spent four nights camping and were on drives during the days looking for animals. Even with the fact that the area is suffering from a drought and all the water holes are dried up we managed to see a good deal.
We saw the big 5!
The elephant...
The rhino...
The leopard (we saw a leopard three times and twice right next to the vehicle - extremely lucky)...
The lion (you have to look closely)...
The water buffalo (somehow, this was the one we had the most difficult finding)...
Some of my other favourites - the giraffe and zebra...
We also got to go for a walk and saw zebra, water buffalo and rhino - but all from a good distance. If anything tried to attack I was ready ;)...
Once we got back from Kruger we started our community work. The first couple of days we were making bricks with earth and water. Extremely harder than I thought it would be - it took five of us just to work the machine. I don't have any photos of us working just yet - the last day we were suppose to go we had rain - and probably most of the brick we made washed away. I do though have photos of the children that live around there - they are the ones we are building the house for.
Thursday we were at one of the NCP Centers (Neighborhood Care Point). The NCP is set up for orphan and vulnerable children in the area that can't afford to go to school. It gives them a place to go to play, learn and made sure they receive breakfast and lunch. We had a craft day with them and had such a great time. Such amazing children with such big smiles on their faces.
During the weekends and evenings we are able to explore beautiful Swaziland - this is me on a quad bike...
Well, it's time to get out and enjoy this beautiful Sunday morning - I have been sitting at the laptop looking out at a stunning landscape. This is the most incredible view from a laptop - I'll try and post a photo of it soon. I'm hoping it won't take as long for the next post.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Loving Swaziland!
I am loving it here and having such an incredible time! Just wanted to do a quick post to let you know what I have been up to - sorry no pictures. I plan on making a post this week that will have more info.
We arrived last Monday and had one night here in Swaziland. We then spent four nights camping in Kruger and saw loads of animals. We then drove back to Swaziland and have been enjoying the weekend. This weekend was the 40/40 festival - 40 years of Independence and the 40th birthday for the King - so you can imagine there was a lot going on. Today we went on a tour in the valley and saw lots of the country side and visited a few homesteads. Tomorrow we have orientation and then will begin projects on Tuesday. As I said I will fill you in on the details later this week - and will hopefully have photos!
Hope all are well!
We arrived last Monday and had one night here in Swaziland. We then spent four nights camping in Kruger and saw loads of animals. We then drove back to Swaziland and have been enjoying the weekend. This weekend was the 40/40 festival - 40 years of Independence and the 40th birthday for the King - so you can imagine there was a lot going on. Today we went on a tour in the valley and saw lots of the country side and visited a few homesteads. Tomorrow we have orientation and then will begin projects on Tuesday. As I said I will fill you in on the details later this week - and will hopefully have photos!
Hope all are well!
Monday, September 1, 2008
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