Friday 25th September
Today we booked ourselves in to do whitewater rafting, costing R280 for 3hours and lunch. We all had a good time although the rapids weren’t very good. Along the river there were many signs about hippos and crocodiles in the area but fortunately we didn’t see any. Once we finished here we drove to Hazeyview where there had been rioting only days before – there wasn’t much here apart from a few cafes so we drove over to Graskop instead, which is internationally renowned for their pancakes. I didn’t try any as they were too expensive.
Saturday 26th September
Late in the morning we drove to our next stop at Blyde River Canyon backpackers which we stayed at for 2nights. Because it was such a hot day we did not do much apart from going to the local shop to buy some meat and get some lunch at the take away, which we waited for 45mins for!! When we arrived back at the hostel we chilled out by the horrible green pool and read my book.
Early in the evening we had to make a braai from scratch as we had no fire starter which was good fun to do! We met some other backpackers who joined in; they were from Norway, Oman and America.
The hostel is split up into sections, we stayed in the 3 bedded shelters which was surrounded by the outback or you could stay in the main building.
Sunday 27th September
We had a very lazy morning today and left about 10ish to go to Blyde River dam which was very impressive and in a very beautiful area surrounded by mountains and dense forests. I have taken some pictures and will put them up on facebook. After going to the dam and the museum we drove over to the animal rehabilitation centre which was very good and interesting. At the start of the tour the guide gave a speech about how all the natural habitat is disappearing and that Kruger National Park is far too small for what the animals need to migrate. The guide went onto to talk about how man has polluted rivers, hunted animals to the brink of extinction, and destroyed their habitat. This did put me off going into Kruger as well as seeing the animals I wanted to see at the re-hab centre and not being able to afford entrance fees.
Monday 28th September
Late morning we headed over to the reptile park which was very good! We saw lots of snakes, crocodiles, turtles etc, and had a lot of talks about different types of snake and what to do if you’re bitten etc.
After this, me and Colin were in desperate need of an ATM and the closest one was 15Km away, and that been stolen – literally, the robbers blew it out with dynamite! So still very low on cash.
In the afternoon we went to ‘Forever Resorts’ to camp there for the night. We stood out big time! I probably being the poorest person their, all the other campers were rich Afrikaners with their big tents, and generators, while we had a 3man tent between 5of us! In the evening we went for a buffet which fortunately takes card. At the resort they had many activities to do such as 3swimming pools, one being heated, mini-golf, trampolines, paint balling, and family activities in the evening.
I decided to sleep outside as there wasn’t much room and it was pleasant weather. Slowly the weather worsened, was becoming cloudy, and very windy. The wind was making beautiful sounds down the valley brushing past the trees. Eventually it got to windy so I slept in the car which wasn’t very comfy!
Tuesday 29th September
We woke at 4pm as the others wanted to go to Kruger National Park early and to book accommodation for 3nights. They dropped me off at the backpackers where I slept in the kitchen till I cook check in. I got my room in the chalets and went straight to sleep! It was a lazy day, most of the time I was sleeping and read my book. I took a walk over to my local shop and café which is about 6km south. I brought some beans, bread and canned meatballs which tasted foul. After getting back I went to sleep again, read my book, had dinner of bread and beans, and didn’t wake up till the morning.
.
Monday, 26 October 2009
Saturday, 24 October 2009
Saturday 19th September - Thursday 24th September
Saturday 19th September
I have also noticed people are discriminating because they think because they are white they will get mugged/stabbed etc. Or if they get a mini-bus taxi they will be beaten up or even killed. However, I have not had any trouble with them…yet. I have found the whole social side to South Africa so far very interesting even though I’v only been here for 3weeks. I have the rest of the year to decide my social idea of the country.
Wednesday 23rd April
1st day of our holiday! We set of for Sabie which took about 4hours with photo stops along the way. For the first 30minutes it was a desert color, the grass was dry, sandy etc. And the next moment the environment and suddenly changed to lush green grass, trees, valleys and mountains. We drove through the magnificent mountain range and impressive forests. They mountains and the lush green forests went for as far as the eye could see. It was very beautiful!
Once we arrived we drove over to the three waterfalls – horseshoe, Lone Creek and Bridal Vail. Photos have been taken. The waterfalls were absolutely beautiful however we had to pay R10 (90P) entrance fee. In Sabie, we stayed at the backpackers called BillyBongos. At BillyBongos the owner had his own pet crocodile in the garden! I was also told of riots happening in the centre of Sabie where a security guard was killed by rioters from the townships complaining about services. The day before we arrived apparently there was a march of black demonstrators in their hundreds marching past the hostel. Also the rioters blocked off the Hazyview entrance to Kruger National Park with glass and burning tires.
Thursday 24th September
In the morning we went to MacMac pool which is a natural made pool. The weather was very hot and sunny. Many people there were having braais with their family and friends, and it was a very nice atmosphere. We just had an apple and an orange to eat. The water was very cold so no-one swam, so we decided to go in. After spending a few hours there we traveled over to the Pinnacle which is a giant rock standing up tall in the middle of the valley. Photos have been taken. The views were very impressive!
After the Pinnacle we traveled to ‘God’s Window’ which had even more impressive views up the side of a mountain. Although it was a bit cloudy at the top we could see for miles in a 360degrees view. There was a high density of trees all over the valleys with random patches of open land.
I have also noticed people are discriminating because they think because they are white they will get mugged/stabbed etc. Or if they get a mini-bus taxi they will be beaten up or even killed. However, I have not had any trouble with them…yet. I have found the whole social side to South Africa so far very interesting even though I’v only been here for 3weeks. I have the rest of the year to decide my social idea of the country.
Wednesday 23rd April
1st day of our holiday! We set of for Sabie which took about 4hours with photo stops along the way. For the first 30minutes it was a desert color, the grass was dry, sandy etc. And the next moment the environment and suddenly changed to lush green grass, trees, valleys and mountains. We drove through the magnificent mountain range and impressive forests. They mountains and the lush green forests went for as far as the eye could see. It was very beautiful!
Once we arrived we drove over to the three waterfalls – horseshoe, Lone Creek and Bridal Vail. Photos have been taken. The waterfalls were absolutely beautiful however we had to pay R10 (90P) entrance fee. In Sabie, we stayed at the backpackers called BillyBongos. At BillyBongos the owner had his own pet crocodile in the garden! I was also told of riots happening in the centre of Sabie where a security guard was killed by rioters from the townships complaining about services. The day before we arrived apparently there was a march of black demonstrators in their hundreds marching past the hostel. Also the rioters blocked off the Hazyview entrance to Kruger National Park with glass and burning tires.
Thursday 24th September
In the morning we went to MacMac pool which is a natural made pool. The weather was very hot and sunny. Many people there were having braais with their family and friends, and it was a very nice atmosphere. We just had an apple and an orange to eat. The water was very cold so no-one swam, so we decided to go in. After spending a few hours there we traveled over to the Pinnacle which is a giant rock standing up tall in the middle of the valley. Photos have been taken. The views were very impressive!
After the Pinnacle we traveled to ‘God’s Window’ which had even more impressive views up the side of a mountain. Although it was a bit cloudy at the top we could see for miles in a 360degrees view. There was a high density of trees all over the valleys with random patches of open land.
Sunday, 18 October 2009
Blogspot on my phone
I have just found that i can access blogspot on my phone and will be able to do updates from here. However it will not pick up on mistakes. It is much cheaper to use internet on my phone that to go to an internet cafe!
Monday, 12 October 2009
Friday 18th September
Friday 18th September
Final day of school before the 2 week holiday. Most of the day the kids were playing and not doing much, as well as free ice-cream was being given out. After work, some of the teachers plus us went to the bar for a drink where we saw a completely different side to the teachers. At school they would act professional and the moment they’re out they are ‘more relaxed’ about what they say.
At their flat I had my 2nd dinner which is becoming more common now to eat at theirs, which was Wors (sausage) and pap. My day of food usually consists of cereal for breakfast, pap and vleis for lunch at work, dinner in the hostels and most nights have some very good food at Bonay’s flat. I never go hungry!
In the evening Colin + Tom from Potolkwa (something like that) came down to stay the night. We all went down to Bonay’s flat for a few drinks (and didn’t get drunk), her brother also had some friends round. By the time we went to bed it was 2am the next morning.
Final day of school before the 2 week holiday. Most of the day the kids were playing and not doing much, as well as free ice-cream was being given out. After work, some of the teachers plus us went to the bar for a drink where we saw a completely different side to the teachers. At school they would act professional and the moment they’re out they are ‘more relaxed’ about what they say.
At their flat I had my 2nd dinner which is becoming more common now to eat at theirs, which was Wors (sausage) and pap. My day of food usually consists of cereal for breakfast, pap and vleis for lunch at work, dinner in the hostels and most nights have some very good food at Bonay’s flat. I never go hungry!
In the evening Colin + Tom from Potolkwa (something like that) came down to stay the night. We all went down to Bonay’s flat for a few drinks (and didn’t get drunk), her brother also had some friends round. By the time we went to bed it was 2am the next morning.
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
Sunday 13th September - Wednesday 16th September
Sunday 13th September
Today we went swimming at the PEMPS pool at 11am which was good fun. Went with the hostel kids and had to act as a life guard as the teacher didn’t have a clue on how to save someone which is understandable. Fortunately no-one drowned.
After lunch I took the kids to go play football, cricket and basketball. Even the girls joined in for the first time because I’m a guy from England. By the time the kids ran out on energy it was dinner time.
Monday 14th September
Today I was working with the small disabled kids. I am starting to feel that I cannot be creative with them because they are either to disabled or because of the system in place. Hopefully I will be able to do arts, craft and sports with the hostel kids at the weekends and during the holiday.
After work I caught the mini-bus taxi back to the hostel which was good fun. Although they speed like crazy down the less busy roads. All the white people I have spoken to say never to catch the taxis because the taxis are very dangerous; however in Jo’berg and Pretoria many of the white folks get the taxis. I think it is do with race problem. The teachers were advising against it, and exclaiming they weren’t being racist over catching a taxi, bit odd hey?
I am currently in search of buying malaria tablets without prescription. Need to go find a chemist now, bye bye.
Tuesday 15th September
Today at the enrichment centre as the main activity I helped the kids to cook keish which turned out very nice. The rest of the school day went as normal. Starting with maths/literacy, going on to saying good morning and talking about the weather, then the main activity of the day, break time and ending with playtime.
In the evening we were told to help out at the school play backstage and look after the kids until their parents picked them up. The aftercare part was very hectic as the kids had been eating a lot of sweets so they were 'bouncing of the walls’. Keeping them in one room was impossible so I just let tire themselves out running around the field. After a couple hours most of them ran out of energy.
Wednesday 16th September
After work we organised a meeting with a guy named Tiaan Nel who got in contact with the interviewers daughters friends friend. He has offered to take us around and has contacts in many useful places. When we met him he took us to the pharmacy where he new a guy and managed to get us malaria tablets without prescription. He then took us down to the café ‘mug and bean’ where he introduced us to his friends. He and most of his friends are solicitors or training to be. After having a very nice iced coffee with cream he took us back home and asked us to come for a braai on Saturday.
Today we went swimming at the PEMPS pool at 11am which was good fun. Went with the hostel kids and had to act as a life guard as the teacher didn’t have a clue on how to save someone which is understandable. Fortunately no-one drowned.
After lunch I took the kids to go play football, cricket and basketball. Even the girls joined in for the first time because I’m a guy from England. By the time the kids ran out on energy it was dinner time.
Monday 14th September
Today I was working with the small disabled kids. I am starting to feel that I cannot be creative with them because they are either to disabled or because of the system in place. Hopefully I will be able to do arts, craft and sports with the hostel kids at the weekends and during the holiday.
After work I caught the mini-bus taxi back to the hostel which was good fun. Although they speed like crazy down the less busy roads. All the white people I have spoken to say never to catch the taxis because the taxis are very dangerous; however in Jo’berg and Pretoria many of the white folks get the taxis. I think it is do with race problem. The teachers were advising against it, and exclaiming they weren’t being racist over catching a taxi, bit odd hey?
I am currently in search of buying malaria tablets without prescription. Need to go find a chemist now, bye bye.
Tuesday 15th September
Today at the enrichment centre as the main activity I helped the kids to cook keish which turned out very nice. The rest of the school day went as normal. Starting with maths/literacy, going on to saying good morning and talking about the weather, then the main activity of the day, break time and ending with playtime.
In the evening we were told to help out at the school play backstage and look after the kids until their parents picked them up. The aftercare part was very hectic as the kids had been eating a lot of sweets so they were 'bouncing of the walls’. Keeping them in one room was impossible so I just let tire themselves out running around the field. After a couple hours most of them ran out of energy.
Wednesday 16th September
After work we organised a meeting with a guy named Tiaan Nel who got in contact with the interviewers daughters friends friend. He has offered to take us around and has contacts in many useful places. When we met him he took us to the pharmacy where he new a guy and managed to get us malaria tablets without prescription. He then took us down to the café ‘mug and bean’ where he introduced us to his friends. He and most of his friends are solicitors or training to be. After having a very nice iced coffee with cream he took us back home and asked us to come for a braai on Saturday.
Monday, 21 September 2009
Friday 11th - Saturday 12th September
Friday 11th September
Day before weekend! I was at the guys flat last night and they invited me to a 6pm - 6am walk for cancer. Fortunately I had the afternoon off which gave me a chance to get ready. I had a good time, met lots of new people and the food was very good. We walked around the school field which was marked out by paper bags filled with sand and a candle to show respect for those who died or suffer from cancer. Altogether it close to a thousand people had turned up . Towards 2am the temperature dropped significantly.
At 4am when I woke we all took a candle each and the power was turned off. The scene was spectacular! All you could see was the flickering glow of the candles. Its hard to explain the atmosphere at the time but you really felt you part of something.
Saturday 12th September
I arrived home at 6:30am with very little sleep and we straight to bed. At 10am I was woken up by Tom and Colin taking pictures of me. Tom and Colin are also PT volunteers based an hour’s drive away. When I eventually got myself ready we started to plan our holiday to Kruger National Park and the surround townships.
We then walked to Savannah so the guys could use the internet. From here we caught the taxi over to the airport to hire a car for our holiday. Its costing us nearly R1000 each for 10days. This is about 10pounds each.
Now I have a better idea of the way round Polokwane I can describe to you what there is around here and where things are situated. Starting with PEMPS hostel, which is situated between two one-way roads. The safest route to Savannah is heading against the traffic for 6blocks (about 30mins walk). Savannah is a expensive shopping mall but have very cheap internet and cinema plus books shops, cafes, supermarkets, phone shops and amusements.
The safest way iv been told to get into town is walking the opposite way to Savannah. So to get into towns have to turn left out the hostel and down three blocks. In town there is everything we need, nandos, clothes shops, video shops, butchers etc.
To get to PEMPS swimming pool we have to turn right and right again then go up one block then one block to the right. I will be adventuring around more and will try and keep you up to date with what I find.
Day before weekend! I was at the guys flat last night and they invited me to a 6pm - 6am walk for cancer. Fortunately I had the afternoon off which gave me a chance to get ready. I had a good time, met lots of new people and the food was very good. We walked around the school field which was marked out by paper bags filled with sand and a candle to show respect for those who died or suffer from cancer. Altogether it close to a thousand people had turned up . Towards 2am the temperature dropped significantly.
At 4am when I woke we all took a candle each and the power was turned off. The scene was spectacular! All you could see was the flickering glow of the candles. Its hard to explain the atmosphere at the time but you really felt you part of something.
Saturday 12th September
I arrived home at 6:30am with very little sleep and we straight to bed. At 10am I was woken up by Tom and Colin taking pictures of me. Tom and Colin are also PT volunteers based an hour’s drive away. When I eventually got myself ready we started to plan our holiday to Kruger National Park and the surround townships.
We then walked to Savannah so the guys could use the internet. From here we caught the taxi over to the airport to hire a car for our holiday. Its costing us nearly R1000 each for 10days. This is about 10pounds each.
Now I have a better idea of the way round Polokwane I can describe to you what there is around here and where things are situated. Starting with PEMPS hostel, which is situated between two one-way roads. The safest route to Savannah is heading against the traffic for 6blocks (about 30mins walk). Savannah is a expensive shopping mall but have very cheap internet and cinema plus books shops, cafes, supermarkets, phone shops and amusements.
The safest way iv been told to get into town is walking the opposite way to Savannah. So to get into towns have to turn left out the hostel and down three blocks. In town there is everything we need, nandos, clothes shops, video shops, butchers etc.
To get to PEMPS swimming pool we have to turn right and right again then go up one block then one block to the right. I will be adventuring around more and will try and keep you up to date with what I find.
Friday, 18 September 2009
Sunday 6th - 10th September
Sunday 6th September
Today was a chilled day. In the morning I woke up at 7am to watch a and eat breakfast while the girls were still asleep.
After breakfast I started to clean the kitchen which was disgusting!!!! The bench and draw handles were all dirty. After giving them a wipe down the cloth was black with dirt!
After showering I took the computer down to see if Rogan could connect the computer with his so I could put my blog on an usb stick but unfortunately that did not work. We can only use floppy disks that a lot of places do not use anymore. Hopefully work use floppy disks.
Most of today I have spent downstairs in the guys flat while the girls relaxed up here. In the afternoon I helped the girls to finish cleaning. Now it’s a considerable amount cleaner than before.
Goodnight
Monday 7th September
This week I will be working with Lesedi. Today was just a normal day, however at 10am Vanessa Haywood who plays the main role in District 9 which is a South African made film that has gone world wide. She came to see Lesedi because they are friends. She has been to the Mitchell House Enrichment Centre when it first opened a few years back. For the rest day of the day it was back to normal.
Tuesday 8th September
In the morning there was a reporter from the local newspaper came to take pictures and interview us. We will hopefully be getting it in the next few days.
Thursday 10th September
In the morning there was no electricity in the black due to an apparent car crash making things feel interesting and back to basic as we had to do everything in the dark because the sun had not risen.
Work was good fun as the kids were more cheerful and full of giggles from the LO (Life Orientation) lesson. The topic we covered today was about telling your parents about boy/girlfriends. The teacher made me put my views forward, which the kids found strange but amusing.
Once school finished at 1:30pm it was my turn for aftercare (looking after the kids until their parents picked them up). By the time I got it was about 5:30 which is much later than normal. I ran into the kitchen to ask the awesome chef whether I could have my dinner in my flat, I then went to pick up my new Samsung phone + sim which I brought on Wednesday. However, the network was down so I had not registered my phone. I got down to Rogan’s flat and dragged him out to come with me. We ran 4 blocks to the shop with 5mins to spare.
In the evening the girls went to see the play Joseph. I spent the evening writing up my blog and down at the guys flat. When the girls returned we watched the new Star Trek film on dvd.
Today was a chilled day. In the morning I woke up at 7am to watch a and eat breakfast while the girls were still asleep.
After breakfast I started to clean the kitchen which was disgusting!!!! The bench and draw handles were all dirty. After giving them a wipe down the cloth was black with dirt!
After showering I took the computer down to see if Rogan could connect the computer with his so I could put my blog on an usb stick but unfortunately that did not work. We can only use floppy disks that a lot of places do not use anymore. Hopefully work use floppy disks.
Most of today I have spent downstairs in the guys flat while the girls relaxed up here. In the afternoon I helped the girls to finish cleaning. Now it’s a considerable amount cleaner than before.
Goodnight
Monday 7th September
This week I will be working with Lesedi. Today was just a normal day, however at 10am Vanessa Haywood who plays the main role in District 9 which is a South African made film that has gone world wide. She came to see Lesedi because they are friends. She has been to the Mitchell House Enrichment Centre when it first opened a few years back. For the rest day of the day it was back to normal.
Tuesday 8th September
In the morning there was a reporter from the local newspaper came to take pictures and interview us. We will hopefully be getting it in the next few days.
Thursday 10th September
In the morning there was no electricity in the black due to an apparent car crash making things feel interesting and back to basic as we had to do everything in the dark because the sun had not risen.
Work was good fun as the kids were more cheerful and full of giggles from the LO (Life Orientation) lesson. The topic we covered today was about telling your parents about boy/girlfriends. The teacher made me put my views forward, which the kids found strange but amusing.
Once school finished at 1:30pm it was my turn for aftercare (looking after the kids until their parents picked them up). By the time I got it was about 5:30 which is much later than normal. I ran into the kitchen to ask the awesome chef whether I could have my dinner in my flat, I then went to pick up my new Samsung phone + sim which I brought on Wednesday. However, the network was down so I had not registered my phone. I got down to Rogan’s flat and dragged him out to come with me. We ran 4 blocks to the shop with 5mins to spare.
In the evening the girls went to see the play Joseph. I spent the evening writing up my blog and down at the guys flat. When the girls returned we watched the new Star Trek film on dvd.
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