Bush Camp- MMNU International student orientation

January 21-24

My last few days have been an adventure to say the least!  Friday we went to a bush camp about an hour and a half away.  We took a small crowded bus to get there and traveled along some extremely bumpy roads.  On our way out of town I saw a different side of the city, the townships.  The bus grew silent as we saw the little tiny homes people were living in and there was garbage scattered everywhere.  Then we stopped at a crocodile and lion place in Addo.  Here I saw my first African Lion and actually held a baby lion cub, I loved it so much!  We had a blast, except for the fact that leaving the coast meant temperatures above 110degrees! AH!  Before hiking to the camp site in the bush we saw kids getting home from school.  I fell in love, they were beautiful and so eager to see us.  The next day we saw them again, their clothes were all tattered but once again they were so happy to have our attention.  I tried communicating with them but they only spoke Africans and found it fun to imitate all I said and did!  Then they sang for us, in English!  They sang the song that goes something like “he’s got the whole world in his hands, he’s got you and me in his hands”… I almost got tears in my eyes mixed with such joy because they were as happy as could be despite their clear state of poverty!

Then we finally arrived at the bush camp, and the name says it all, it was legitimately a camp in the bush of Africa.  Upon arrival we were all thirsty and hungry and thought we would eat soon, but considering we are in Africa saying we are eating just now means anywhere between actually right then and 5 hours or never.  Don’t worry we did eat eventually!  During the day our group laid low I rock climbed and just talked with a lot of kids from my group along with other international students there are lots of people from the States but also people from Germany, Finland, Holland, Switzerland, and Sweden, and others I can’t think of!

That night we learned about South African culture.  I learned some Africans because while most people speak English it is still super hard to understand because.  Africans is a mix of English and something else, but I’m slowly picking up words.  I learned a lot about the country and was surprised to find that the population is 90% black so it’s interesting to be the minority and a good experience for me.  Also the average salary is 62 American dollars a month, hard to comprehend.  That night our dinner was lekker (good).  I had Kudu African meat along with some other African foods that I’m still learning to say!! It’s so difficult for me to understand!

The next morning we were woken by a whistle and a leader yelling around the campsite “rise and shine up and go with a red smile!”  It was so funny except for the fact that it was 6:15am and I had spent my first night sleeping in a tent outside in such hot temperatures!  The next day was full of challenge course activities.  My group was actually with all kids from my school but I had a blast!  We all took it seriously and tried hard which meant jumping in mud pits and getting dirty!  Then the best part of the weekend….

A wild beast feast.  Our teams had to come up with our own native language, dance, and outfits from our surroundings.  Our group went all out and just had a blast.  Then we had to perform in front of everyone around the bon fire as a brie was being done over the fire.  Our dinner had a lot of African foods and the best part was we had to use our hands!! Fr. John had said in Sudan he ate with his hands and well he was not kidding.  I had rice, salad, and meat on the bone and took bites with my dirty bare hands!  As you can imagine my comfort level has already been pushed to the maximum and I LOVE it!!

Now I’m back home looking at the ocean relaxing as I was up at 1am until 4am this morning to watch the vikes game at a local bar that opened up just for us and we streamed the game in via the internet.  It was a blast I went to bed at 7pm Sunday night and got up for the game and then got a few more hours of sleep before orientation began this morning!  I finally got to see NMMU.  It’s beautiful!  I’m excited to get a tour tomorrow.  Tonight I will hear about scuba diving lessons from an instructor then we are having people to our Flat.  The rest of the week consists of tours and orientation and getting to go to both of our volunteer sites!  I can’t wait.  And then my friend Katie and I working on organizing a pot luck for the group Friday night so I have a great week ahead!  I also have to admit Katie just took me to buy a bottle of wine, it’s the first time I’ve purchased something like that and I felt so grown up, and the best part is it’s a blush wine made in Africa so it’s PINK!

I miss everyone at home but am so blessed to be doing so well.  I have never felt so strongly that I’m in the right place at the right time and living in the moment.  I can’t be on internet often at all because of the price so I’m fully absorbed in the people here with the exception of getting to talk to my family, and fortunately I’ve had the chance to do that quite a bit!  I wish I could go on and on because this doesn’t even begin to describe half of how amazing this all is and the culture here and the level of poverty.  More at the end of the week and pictures I’ll work on as it’s more expensive to upload pictures ahhh silly internet!  Thanks for the prayers and keeping track of me!

All my love,

Megan J