Week 3

We survived the Garden Route last weekend. We did quite a bit of driving, some kids in my group bungee jumped, and we saw some awesome scenery. And we were super lucky that it didn't rain!

1. Coolest thing(s) I've seen: White tigers & lions, cheetah cubs, a pygmy hippo, the Cango Caves, ostriches all over the side of the road (like cows in the US)

2. Most interesting thing I've done: Played with elephants in Knysna (see pictures)

3. Recent funny/embarrassing story: Yesterday when we got home, one of the staff members warned us about going outside because the police had just been there to take care of the baboon problem (ie. shooting their guns to scare them off). The baboons have apparently been coming down from the mountains all around us looking for food, and "are very aggressive because they are hungry!" They had torn apart the garbage outside, just like raccoons. Needless to say I went out for a walk anyway and didn't see any.

4. Most frustrating/difficult/uncomfortable situation faced (or in corporate speak, "most valuable learning experience"): At the Cango Caves, we did the adventure tour where we had to climb through VERY narrow spaces, including one called Devil's Chimney where I had no more than 3" on either side of me and had to haul myself up through a tunnel! I never knew I was claustrophobic until that moment.

5. Best food/drink I've had: Ostrich steak!

6. Plans for the upcoming weekend: Wacky Wine Weekend is this weekend. It's a huge event where at 45 wineries in the vicinity have open tastings, food, music and activities. People come in from all around for the festivities. I, for one, can't wait -- I haven't done nearly enough wine tasting since I've been here.

7. Health: Pretty good. The rest of the group isn't holding up as well but I'm healthy as usual.

8. What I miss most: My dog... there are tons around here but most of them are so mangy that I wouldn't dare touch them.

9. Other general commentary. Life is still pretty good. I'm definitely settling in here. I'm not ready to pick up and move here, but it's definitely a great place to spend some time. The weather has been on our side but it's starting to get colder :-(. A few people will leave this weekend, which will be sad because we've become a pretty close group. The high school is fine -- the kids are about to start exams. The teachers are afraid they won't pass - I guess because they usually don't. I'm not really helping either because whenever I'm asked to cover a class, I play games with them like 7up and 4 Corners inside or I take them outside and do phys ed. It's confirming what I already knew before coming here -- I'm not meant to be a teacher!

Now enjoy the pics!

Our driver buying ostrich feather dusters in Outshoorn

White tiger cub, 5 mos old

The Cango Caves

Me with the elephants! (no, I'm not superimposed in this pic)

The view of our homebase from a nearby hike