Road Tripping!

Hard to believe I'm halfway through this trip...A lot has been going on the last few weeks!!!!

We finished our second build which was a ton of fun. The second Irish team that we were building with were all very friendly and wonderful...I was a little worried about joining up with a team who all knew each other and had been working together for a few days already, but it was totally fine and a great time. It was really exciting to get to be on cite for the dedication. It definitely illuminated the reality of the community in Mfuleni. There were people at the house that I had never seen before, sharing this hugely important time with the family. I talked to more of the adults on that one day than i had really the whole week, which maybe is not saying anything aside my lack of engagement, but I think it was the spirit that was coming from our house and getting the whole neighborhood involved. Later in the afternoon we went over to see Williem the homeowner of the first build. It was incredible!!!! Msinga his brother was in the house working on plastering the walls...Almost the entire interior was done and plumbing and electricity were already installed! It was very special to go back and see them.

That night we said goodbye to the Irish team...It was actually really sad. It definitely felt like a chapter of the trip closing. Who would have thought that a group from Ireland would become my family on this trip?!

The next day we set off on our road trip!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ít's hard to explain what this has been like. Pretty wonderful. The first two nights we stayed on a farm with one of Scott's friends...it was beautiful. The family was SO hospitable and wonderful and I just was so relaxed and at home. We went on a hike that nearly killed me, but whatever...it was still fun :) the second night we slept in a wood cabin over this huge valley. The cabin didn't have any electricity so we braaied and it also had an abundance of spiders...which was pretty funny. The spiders here are pretty huge so we're kind of wusses. I definitely think that Knysna is the most unique place we've been and probrably my favorite so far. it's hard to beat home cooking and orange groves...

Then we took off for Port Alfred...on the way we stopped to see some lions and in J-bay to catch the surf competition. Unfortunately the competition was over and the lions were too rowdy that day...haha...so...Then we ended up driving all around Port Alfred in the dark trying to find accomodations...pretty hilarious really. We ended up at this beach front chalet which was just what we wanted. The next day we kicked it in PA by the side of this river thing then headed out for Cintsa which is where I am now. It's AMAZING. Like no other place I've been. I't's a backpacker built on this hill overlooking the ocean but it's amongst the trees and things...Kind of like paradise. We spent all day on the beach yesterday playing and swimming and lying. pretty much this week will be my entire summer...so that's fun :-D Today we're off to Coffee Bay and after that we'll turn around and head home to Cape Town. I'll keep you all updated :-D


Love~you all!!!!!