Adventures in Africa – Adrielle and Robin

After going on a three day hike up Rhino Mountain this past week, we decided it would be a good idea to give you a summary of some of the adventure activities we have done in the last 2.5 months. We started off our adventure activities on Feb 4^th by running off a mountain with a pilot, and a chute… aka paragliding. After a 2 second run we found ourselves floating above a coastal city looking on a breath taking view. Then on February 20^th those who chose to found themselves in a small cage off the side of a boat. This was a moment in our lives when a shark encounter was a good thing. Though the water was murky, it made the sharks that much more mysterious. As we traveled to Bonnievale on February 27^th, we made a short stop at an irrigation canal. We thought we were going to be getting a lesson on the irrigation systems in the area but little did we know that we would be floating down one of them into a tunnel. This tunnel was 5 feet tall with 4 feet of water and bats everywhere! It was a little freaky at the time but when we came out the other end, most people loved it. At Bonnievale we relaxed on a river with a rope swing and boats. On March 2^nd we headed off to Jeffrey’s Bay. On the way we stopped at Bloukrans Bridge to do the very thing we’re taught not to… jump off. As the world tallest commercial bunjee jump it was 216 meters to the ground. Adreille and I thought it was the best adventure activity but it was such a unique experience that each person will tell a different tale of how they felt on the bridge and on the way down. In Jeffrey’s bay we had a packed 2 days filled with adventure. We went horseback riding on sand dunes and galloped along the beach, got surfing lessons in the salty Indian Ocean, and a few braved the wind to go sand boarding. On March 12^th we got the chance to go on a 3 hour coastal hike in Mdumbi. On March 20^th during our Durban homestay we went to a water park. A memorable moment was when we managed to get 17 people ‘on’ a giant tube going down a slide… rules are flexible in Africa. The next day on our way to Pietermaritzburg we stopped at a waterfall to go abseiling or repelling as we call it down 107 meters. The hike we just did up Rhino Mountain was 4 km to the cave we slept in on the first night. The second day was when we climbed 10 km up the mountain to have a foggy lunch. It cleared up for a few amazing minutes and then we went down the same 10 km for another nights sleep in the cave. The third day was 4 km back to base. Adrielle and I were put in group one. As we write this after the switch at noon today we hope that group two has better luck with the clouds on top of Rhino Mountain. All together the adventures we have done in the last 2.5 months have been amazing and the memories and sights will last forever! As the trip comes to an end, we can look back on our time here and remember some of the crazy things we’ve done. The only thing left to do is brave the heat and animals in Kruger National Park.

Adrielle Krahn and Robin Taves

Bonnievale/Jeffrey’s Bay – Week of Relaxation

After saying goodbye to Stellenbosch, none of us thought the next leg of the journey would involve walking through a sea of bats in an irrigation tunnel – but somehow, it did. That little adventure bought us passage into “Impact Camp” at Bonnievale, beginning a week of relaxation and excitement.

For three nights we slept outdoors under metal overhangs, only meters from a gently flowing river. By day, some conquered the river by kayak, some by rope swing, some by determined dam construction. By night we sat around the campfire, enjoyed Braai after delicious Braai and waited eagerly for phone call every twenty minuets for an update on Olympic hockey game.

Throughout the week we also had the opportunity to interact with Nathan Rieger, a pastor we met last semester in Winnipeg. He led some group devotionals and made himself very available for one-on-one chats. A lot of us really appreciated having him around and tapping into his inspiring wisdom.

We spent the second half of the week by the ocean in windy Jeffrey’s Bay. There we had the opportunity for a bunch of unique experiences. How many people can claim to have ridden horseback over sand dunes and along the ocean? How about having surf lessons in one of the country’s surfing capitals? Some even braved the dunes a second time to go sandboarding. In our down-time we explored the shops and enjoyed each other’s company. To cap off the week our host Bev took us out for a lovely seafood dinner at a restaurant whose floor was made of sand.

Unfortunately this week we had to bid farewell to our beloved “Baba” and bus driver Stefans. A small accident while backing up meant that he had to take his bus back to Johannesburg for repairs. The whole group was distraught to see him go, but hopefully we’ll get to connect with him again before we leave South Africa.

-Brock P.

Guys appreciation day

After lunch the group gathered outside where we were surprised with a “guys appreciation day” rap. The rap captivated our interest, but we still had no idea what was in store for us. The girls ushered us into the dining area where I found that Kaytlin and Robin had been assigned to look after me for the day. They surprised me with a thoughtful card and a Cadbury chocolate bar. The service was “so far-so good”, and only going to get better.

Then came the games. The first of which was one I had mixed feelings for. They had us duct tape eggs to our stomach and slap each other until they broke, last man standing won. While it was a good fun, it left us with considerably red, stinging stomachs. I suppose it’s a small price to pay for the opportunity to slap each other as hard as we can in the gut. Following the egg game we were split into four teams for an obstacle course. We painted ourselves in team colours. My team proudly sported the colour white and consisted of Raf, Jeremy, and Brock. We barely made the podium placing third. The final challenge was optional. We were told to catch one of the wild goats that grazed nearby and get the whole ordeal on video. Despite the odd nature of the challenge Eric and I decided to accept due to the promise of a large prize. To our surprise we succeeded, I managed to catch a goat while Eric filmed.

Just before dinner we were called together to receive our prizes. The prizes we received were favors from the girls. They each wrote down 2 favors they would do on paper slips and placed them in a hat. Depending on how well you did in the competitions you were allowed to pick out x number of slips. I won four great prizes, one henna tattoo from Becca, one serenading from Laura Hill, a serenading from Christine, and one dish washing from Emma.

After the prizes the girls all dressed up and escorted us to dinner. They had arranged seating, mood lighting and some very nice décor. The service was flawless. I didn’t get out of my seat once. And so ended a great day of being pampered. I wont soon forget my day of being appreciated. Thank you to all the girls who put up with our needs and requests, as ridiculous as some of them were. I think I speak for all the guys of site two when I say if we do half as good a job on girl’s appreciation day they will be pleased.

-Ben Brubaker-Zehr

more pictures from the Semesters

Strandfontein

The week in Strandfontein was a week to learn and live with "Colour" people. The week was spent learn about places like Colleen's Place of Hope, a home that takes in children who have been abandon by there parents. Other places included a Museum that told the story of how whole neighbourhoods where forcibly removed. The week was also spent learning how people are still effected by that removal today. How the struggles of oppression is past down from generation to generation and how people are working to reconcile the past. After our different field trips we often spent time at the beach to relax. It was a good week.

The beach often brings out excitement in students

Robin Island Prison

Robin Island Prison

Simon's Town

Following a 2 day bus ride through desert the time we had in Simon’s Town was a refreshing break after a busy week in Soweto. After settling in at our accommodations some people ran off to stalk penguins on the beach while others went into town. The first day was spent on a mountain taking turns paragliding. Six hours is very long when you’re on a mountain, though it made way for people rein-acting scenes from Lord of the rings. People who went first spent most of the day rock hopping or hanging out at a restaurant. The paragliding itself was short-about-10min-but really cool. It was about 3 running steps and then we were gliding over Clifton beach just outside of Cape Town. The next day we went to Cape Point which we thought was the southern most tip of Africa and where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet but we have conflicting reports. Further research is needed. All the same it was a gorgeous place. It had lots of paths, a lighthouse and a beach. The beach is where most people ended up. More than one person was sore afterwards because of the massive waves.

Our last day in Simon’s Town was free, since shark diving was rescheduled do to boat engine failure. I hung out on the beach all day but some people walked into town to the shops, others took a train into a bigger town, and some people did all those things. For dinner we were given a little extra money to go out for a nice meal in either Simon’s Town or Cape Town. It was a good end to a good couple of days.

-Robin

The big Trek

We pulled of Soweto at the unhealthy hour of 5am on Tuesday the 1^st of February, committed to a gruelling 2-day bus ride to the cape. As the sun set on Tuesday and choking dust swirled through the bus – the inside of the bus – we pulled into a beautiful oasis in the desert.

We stayed with a wonderful family that hosted us for the night at their stunning beautiful sheep farm. We were treated to a lovely braai and words of encouragement from our host.

We slept out under the stars on mattresses that we put on the lawn and tennis court. We fell a sleep under the stars that night and woke up under the expansive sky.

It took longer then we thought to reach Simonstown, but as we finally stepped off the bus and saw penguins wadding around, we knew that the next leg of our journey had officially begun.

-Brock

Pictures

Here are a few more pictures from different points in our trip. Thanks for following our blogg and we will continue to update as the reasources to do so become avalible

lectuer with Peit Meiring, one of the leaders of the TRC


Picture from Lion Park


Picture from Lion Park


Drum workshop in Pretoria



Gumboot Dancing (Soweto week)

Traditional African dance that members of our group learned and performed (Soweto week)


tour of "Soccer City" the Flagship statium for the 2010 Fifa World Cup. Is located just outside of Soweto

Soweto week

Soweto week

Soweto week

Soweto week

Soweto week

Soweto week

Soweto

A friend told me shortly before I left that when she thought of Africa all she could think of were World Vision commercials. When I first stepped into Kliptown, a section of the township of Soweto, I am reluctant to admit that I found it difficult to think of anything else. But after spending several days in Kliptown during our Soweto week, I will be the first to list off all the things the people of Soweto have that I do not.

Soweto is one of the poorest black townships in South Africa. Located outside of Johannesburg, Soweto has an incredibly rich and violent history, filled with stories of oppression, suffering brokenness, resiliency, perseverance, courage and hope.

Our week began at the Soweto Vineyard church with a Sunday morning service that contained more rhythm and enthusiasm then I think all of Canada possesses. The next two days were spent at museums and taking tours, where we learned the names, dates and historical events that shaped Soweto and South Africa. Afterwards, we would go back to the local community center where we were staying and be greeted by Brenda (everybody’s favourite candy lady) and dozens of local kids who wanted to play soccer, braid our hair or maybe just “shap shap” (say hello)

Then came our service projects. A few students, including myself, had the privilege of working with Brother Bob and his organization SKY (Soweto Kliptown Youth). During the three days I spent at SKY I was able to see and experience some pretty amazing things. We met literally hundreds of kids as well as the overworked and underpaid teachers and youth workers that gave their best every single day so that these kids might have something to eat. We saw enormous generosity when a community that is itself in need, recognized and even bigger need and sent many of the clothes that had been given to them to the earthquake victims in Haiti. We witnessed tragedy as a school and an entire community grieved the loss of a ten-year-old boy. And we saw all of this being met with incredible resiliency determination, courage and hope as the residents of Kliptown pulled together to support each other, to feed each other, to love each other, and to even teach each other (and us) gumboot dancing.

At first glance the shacks we saw in Soweto don’t appear at all dissimilar from those in the World Vision commercials, but I promise that what you see in those commercials doesn’t even come close to expressing the sense of community or interdependency Soweto has, or the vibrancy and hope we saw in those children’s smiles, or the courage and determination we sensed in those who raised them. At the end of the day I don’t know what or who those commercials are trying to portray, but it certainly isn’t the people of Soweto.

-Alex

befor and after photos of a shack that students painted

In side the Constitutional court

from a visit to a prison that held the likes of Mandela and Gandhi
many of the buildings form this prison have been torn down and the briks use to constucted the constiutional court building that stands on site of the old prison

First week in South Africa

After a brief stay at a retreat center to get over jetlag, reconnect as a group, meet our country partners, and go over some safety guidelines while in South Africa, we went into Pretoria for out first week. It was a week to help us get an insight into Afrikaner culture and was our first home stay of the semester. On Sunday we went to an Afrikaner church, the service done in entirely in Afrikaans with a bit of English for our benefit. After church we met our host families and then spent the afternoon getting to know each other.
On Monday we had a lecture and then visited a battlefield from the Anglo-Boer war. We then went to an old Diamond mine before heading ‘home’. Tuesday started with a visit to the Vortrekker Monument and an Old Fort called Schanskop. Both had a fantastic view of Pretoria. We Finished off the day visiting the Samuel Marks House, an old mansion that stands as a testaments of the wealth that came for some from the diamond minds in the early 1900’s. On Wednesday we visited a village called “House of Bread” which is open to homeless Afrikaners. In the afternoon we went to the University of Pretoria and had a lecture from Peit Meiring. He talked about his work and experience in help leading the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Thursday was a very early morning to get to the Gospel Train, which Laura is writing a post about. The drum workshop that followed back at the University of Pretoria was at times rhythmically challenged but a good time all the same. After a quick stop to the Union Building (where the president works) we found ourselves at a giant mall to spend some free time before once again going home. On Friday we went to a lion park where we pet baby lions and watch full-grown lions from the safety of our bus. It was a hit with everyone as was feeding the giraffes. In the afternoon we made our way to Freedom Park; a monument built in honour of lives lost in the struggle to bring freedom for all people in South Africa. Saturday was a free day to do one last activity with our host families. Events included going hiking, mountain biking, swimming, going out for dinner, etc. The Pretoria home stay was a week packed with history, museums and a little adventure. We all had different experiences with our host families, but it was a good week and look into Afrikaner culture.
-Robin Taves

Home stay

Spending a week in someone's home is something that is too rarely done. When you are in someone’s home as a guest you get to take away the filter people put up and exchange it for a true look into their character, habits (good bad and goofy,) strengths and shortcomings. Sebastian and I were privileged enough to stay with the Tredoux family. This family of four was more then hospitable in every way imaginable. So much so that we even got breakfast in bed every day! The Afrikaner people know hot to host! The weeks events were filled with histories and stories of the Afrikaner culture, an amazing subject, but the advantage of living with Afrikaners is we get to see first hand the differences between out two cultures.

The first thing Sebastian and I were exposed to is a traditional Barbecue, called a Braai We arrived at the house on Sunday to the amazing wafting scent of a three different meats on a charcoal grill. Scrumptious. The next tradition is something called a nap. Apparently you go and sleep for an hour or two in the middle of the day! Seb and I were instantly interested in this idea and quickly fell asleep (yaay Jetlag.) Through the week we were exposed to Biltong, a beef jerky type food made by sun drying different types of meat (Beef, Pork, Springbok, or Zebra to name a few) with some very potent spices.

Our 'Siblings', Susan and Jacque, were members of the local school orchestra so we had the pleasure of going to their first concert of the year. I certainly enjoyed myself, especially singing along with their rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody.

The best part of the homestead week for me was Dinner on Friday. To start this story properly rewind to Sunday. The family requested that Sebastian and I cook a Canadian meal for them on Friday. My first reaction was, 'wow they are brave to ask two male University students from a strange country to cook them a meal', then it was 'What is Canadian that is easy to cook'. Fast forward to Friday again, after taking us shopping for groceries and showing us around the kitchen we set to work. Seb and I had decided on Crepes and Poutine as our dish de jour. We did warn them that Canadian food usually is high carb as we need extra energy to insulate us from the cold. So an hour later and surprisingly nothing burnt we served. The poutine, being the main course, was a hit. Jacque was especially enthusiastic when he found out poutine contained no veggies. The crepes served as a great Canadian dessert. A medley of sugar, maple syrup (brought from home as gifts), lemon and whipped cream provided enough calories to insulate through a long cold night spent in an igloo.

In conclusion, the week was a great look into the Afrikaner culture, their views on Apartheid and the politics of today. I really enjoyed my time under the roof of this very welcoming family and am certainly glad to have met them.

-Gus Van Weelden

Gospel Train, Hallelujah.

Picture this; a train car during morning rush hour, packed with mainly black people with the exception of our group of 39, singing praises to God in a language I do not understand.
Hello, Gospel train.
It started as a very early morning with students mixing yawns with excitement at the novelty of riding the infamous gospel train. We poured off our bus, the leaders bought our tickets and we waited in line in an outrageously packed train station, amongst hundreds of people heading to work. You could hear the gospel train arrive in the station, thanks to the magnificent rhythm and voices these Africans have.
Now to clarify what the gospel train is; during morning and afternoon rush hour the gospel train is certain cars on different trains that have singing and praising and praying and preaching on them. We were blessed to have this opportunity as we rushed to squish our 39 onto an already squished car. We sang a song our group had practice “Guide my feet” and we sounded pretty good if you asked me for a group of white people singing/screaming at the top of our lungs. Ok, so maybe we were not that great actually. Even though most of the singing was in a language different then mine and the singing was way beyond me in my lacking vocal skills, it was incredible to praise the same God as my sisters and brothers of South Africa.
Side note, I cannot write about he incredible beats and rhythms I have experienced here. Train side drumming mixed with foot stomping is more than my mere words can express. Unfortunately, our train mysteriously broke down which killed the praising as people jumped off the train so they could walk the tracks to work. Something illegal in Canada but hey, this is Africa.
Overall the gospel train was phenomenal. I thought I had “how to do church” down pat, and I thought I had experienced every church & denomination. That said, I had never been on a train church before.
Gospel Train, Hallelujah.
-Laura Hill

Safe and Happy in Pretoria!

To all of the worried parents, friends and family: We are safe and sound in South Africa!

After many gruelling hours in airplanes we touched down early Friday morning in Johannesburg, weary with jetlag but excited to begin our adventure! With a single missing bag to show for all of our airplane-hopping we were led to meet Stephanes, our cheerful bus driver for the next three months, and "Elwierda," our already epic bus.

Our first two days were spent at a beautiful retreat centre called Heronbridge, recconecting with one another after a whole month apart! We had some quality sleep time, getting over our jetlag. We also got an introduction to the country and to strategies for safety from Johannes and Mpho, two people with whom we'll be working closely in the months to come.

On Sunday we drove to Pretoria, a large (over a million inhabitants) city very near Johannesburg. We attended a church service done in the Afrikans language before meeting the families hosting 1-3 of us for the week. It was thrilling to be welcomed into their homes; my family has been excited to prepare some delicious Afrikaner dishes for us.

This week we've been immersed in Afrikaans culture, visiting monuments and museums, exploring Pretoria with our host families and hearing from different speakers (including Piet Meiring at the U of Pretoria) about South African history, Aparteid and the current situation.

We've had some great weather and some surprise thunderstorms. We've met some great people and re-established our tight community. And the experience has just begun.

-Brock P.

27 and Sunny in South Africa

We made it! After 20 hours of plan rides, the longest a 12 hour ride from London to Johannesburg we made it to South Africa. During our long layover in London many of us rode the Tube into downtown to see some of the famous London sites like the London Bridge, Big Ben, Westminster Abby and others. It was a quick tour of the city that including eating some local grub, the most interesting of which might have been the black pudding.
This next few days we will try to get onto the time change and regroup/reconnect as a site since we have not all been together for over five weeks now. On Sunday we will head to Pretoria and go to an Afrikaans church and then meet our host family that we will be living with for a week.

Off we Go

After a long Christmas break we head off today for South Africa. The core of us will leave from Winnipeg and pick people up along the way in Toronto and even meet some in South Africa. So stay tune for pictures, stories and updates as the semester goes along.