A look into Langerry Flatt 11

My incredible flatmates, Jed, Me, Emily, Ken and Lauren 

One of the many beautiful things we look out of our flat and see day to day 

29 April 2010


I just realized I always find myself writing about the big weekend trips I do and the big adventures I take... but the best parts of South Africa are often times the things that take place on a day to day basis so I want to be sure and share that while I'm still here because it truly is the small things that have helped me grow and fall in love with this country and all the people here.


The best part about my life here is that I'm able to totally live in the moment.  Not only do I recognize myself doing this but I have had so many good conversations with people on my trip who also have realized they are totally absorbed in the here and now.  I really wanted to live out the quote "live for the love of something now" and I'm able to do that here and pray I will be able to continue doing so when I return home.


But here is a look at a typical day for me here in Langerry Flat 11 aka the jungle.


After class yesterday, which was African Literature 4 other girls and I braved the 4mile run home from school that takes us right along the ocean.  We are constantly talking and laughing the whole way home and encouraging one another.  And on every run it never fails that at least 3 times we mention how beautiful it is around us, how the ocean has never been that blue or gray before, how the breeze is hitting us perfectly, and how we love our life and one another so much. 


Then last night after class we cooked a delicious dinner that my five flat mates and I enjoyed together after Emily prayed as it was her turn because we like to switch off and pray for all that we have to be thankful for and all the things we see in a day.  Then we dispersed throughout our little flat to try and do homework or have some alone time.  We work everywhere from the balcony, our beds, to the kitchen floor (Katie's favorite spot!).  Other members of the group stroll in and out and we are able to casually decide, to go out for a drink or two together since our time here is limited and the girls go out without makeup or a thought about what we're wearing because all the guys on this trip know us so well and continue to make us feel beautiful and independent just the way we are.  When we go out we have great talks together, play games, and always start a fun dance parties...last night we even introduced everyone to some line dancing.  People have really learned to be responsible and we all travel home together and usually make our way up to the roof to see the stars and reminisce about past memories and how great our lives are, often times this happens over some fries from McDonalds. The ocassional night out occurs but a lot of other nights entail just sitting around together laughing and blowing the horns we've gotten from sporting events, dancing to 90's music, imitating the funny SA lingo we here, and watching ridiculous movies on Mnet. 


Then today I woke up at 8am because it is impossible to sleep in past 8:30 here because when the sun comes up it is too beautiful to stay in bed.  I normally wake up without an alarm because waking up here is the most natural thing in the world.  This morning we all slowly did our own thing and checked e-mails and then the most incredible thing happened just before our eyes...  we looked out the windwo and could see of huge group of dolphins swimming by right in front of us!  Then we turned on some music and made banana pancakes.


And the most beautiful part of the morning is sitting at the kitchen table with one another... we were looking out at an overcast sky as the waves of the indian ocean came crashing in and dolphins swim by and together the girls and I decided the Hail Mary would be perfect to pray before eating at this meal.  It's moments like this, that I have fallen so in love with.  A group of amazing, beautiful, strong, faithful, passionate woman sitting together praying to Mary who has strengthened us all so much on this trip.  It seems so simple, but it's so powerful because as we finish praying we look at each other and all know how present God is in our lives and how incredibly blessed we are.  It may sound almost too simple and may not make sense why I haven't had more moments like this at home but maybe it took coming here for me to recognize moments like this and be fully present in them.  And looking back I'm so thankful that it is the small things that I love so dearly because I can have moments like these at home so easily I just have to allow myself to! 


And there is a look at the simple things that are so beautiful that occur daily in my home away from home... Langerry Holiday Flats located on the beautiful Beach Road!


All my love,
Megan Elizabeth