Hi again:
Just thought of a couple other things that might be interesting/helpful. If you need more gifty things to take home, try the craft market in Durban down near the train station, or the one in Stellenbosch near CT. Also for some "better" things there is a good gallery on Florida Road in Durban run by an NGO that has wonderful wirework, weaving and beadwork among other things.
If you are going bungee jumping, try to see if you can book at Tsitsikama Lodge. Just elegant, and good food. I didn't like Knysna at all - too tourist trap, though beautiful surroundings.
About your church experience - a Pentecostal church in any country in the world will give you exactly the same thing - this is not just an African thing (didn't even start there), though there are a lot more Pentecostal churches there per capita than probably anywhere else.
I've subscribed to your blog and will be enjoying the accounts of your trip and experiences, and will jump in with comments if I've remembered something that might be of use or of interest, if you don't mind too much?
Hamba Kahle
Sympathy Hi:
I know how you feel about leaving, I was at Asibuyeni Primary which is right across the road from the entrance to Tembe, and I stayed at the research camp in Tembe for that time. When I wasn't teaching, I did lion and elephant monitoring, and spent as much time at the waterholes as I could. Then I travelled for a month before I came home.
But I really miss SA. I'm hoping to be able to spend part of each year there after I retire. If it wasn't for the politics and its attendant problems I might think of retiring there for good. But you've got a long time to go before you reach that point, so enjoy your travels. Cape Town is incredibly beautiful.
If you start feeling nostalgic after you get home, you could catch my blog and photos at: grannym.wordpress.com
I'll watch for the rest of your blog with interest.
Hey Linda how do you find Nansindlela school? I completed my matric last year there and when you write about the likes of Kenny and Sthembiso you make me feel 'school sick'. I wish you a happy African experience for the six months that you will stay, and girl are you cute! We've had GAPS before but your photo just narrates another story, had you come to Nansindlela a year earlier then you would have enjoyed yourselves much better because the 2008 Grade 12s were soooo easy to go by.
bye.
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re: bad dog Learn zulu word for "sit!" or carry food bribe! Have already spoken about scary hitch-hiking so will go back to silent concern mode....xxxx
Whoa You have no idea how incredibly luck you are. I would kill to be in Mozambique right now, I've never actually been to the country but I spend a hefty amount of hours "virtually" touring Mozambique.
Have fun
ingwavuma past gapper this may seem weird as i dont know you however i am a past gapper at ingwavuma, i typed in Ingwavuma in google and up you popped. My name is Abby and i was a gapper in 2006. Please send my love to Ruth and Simon they are amazing people and im so happy that they now have a little one Zoe. It seems that everything has now changed at Nansindlela but im glad your having a good time. I loved my time there and cant wait to go back.
Hellooooooooo!! Hey sister!
It all sounds amazing!! I've been following your entries and it just sounds incredible, and certainly makes my school look like a very tedious outfit.
SHOE THIEVES! - HA! (That was a empathetic, comforting, apologetic laugh.)
HA!
The religious jazz sounds like a really interesting experiece (I'm jealous!) - we are going to have to have some late night, coffee bar theoloical chats when you get back.
And we can eat your home-cooked food! The cake looks mighty fine.
We really miss you sis, keep on blogging and I'll get your number from mum and we'll be sending you through a little prezzie soon...
We got your letter and it made us come up with a plan!
All the love there is, look after your ass,
Pete x
Yay!! Sounds like you've been having some crazy times! I like the church thing, sounds like something that would have been crazy to see! I got your letter the other day and I will write back! Honest :D
Is it just me or has your hair got much lighter! All that sun I reckon :)
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Haha yup was expecting that from you!
The photos are the right way up now if you want to look again :) I have tons more but it takes about ten years to upload them!
Love you xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Brilliant! So the scariest thing about Africa so far is............... a church service! Large dose of cynicysm on the way by post! (Now have crick in my neck from looking at sideways photos!)
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Fun Times Sounds like so much fun! Although lacking pictures =P The librarian sounds like a right bad person.
Going to get round to sending you a letter soon! Much love xxxxx
A comment Please do get a filter! Glad youre having a good time but still missing you. Please dont go Mrs Muscle on me :-S! Havent got youre email yet!
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Hey hun. I can't believe you have actually gone to Africa. I'm so proud of you and so glad that you arrived all safe and well! I have subscribed to your blogs so i get your up dates so i can read all about what your getting up to. Seems like yous have a great time already apart from the leaving england! Don't forgot to mail me. Love you so much. x x x x x x xx
Phoning South African Mobiles I happen to call abroad a lot and always use the international call checker on moneysavingexpert.com
It only costs 5p/min to call S.African mobiles from a UK landline.
All you need to do is call 08445663566 and follow instructions or check out prices here http://callchecker.moneysavingexpert.com/intcallchecker/
Wellity well Most of those rules seem ok but...my left hand is dirty? Only as much as my right i'll have you know!...just dont get me started :P
Its not sunny here. Im going to post you a letter tomorrow.
Stay safe and have a good time. Miss you a vast not-even-quantifiable amount
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just practising.... Was thinking this was easy and I don't need my step-by-step guide when I did something that wiped everything off the screen....so maybe I do after all! Love you (even though you're deserting me for 7 months) xxxxx
My name is Linda - and I'm in South Africa! (from 18th January onwards anyway).
Hello to all my friends and family, and to anyone else who might be reading!... full info
Nathan
non-member comment
How do you remember the spellings of these places?! One month :) XXXXXX