My Bad..

So I am a bit delayed in this little update but I will try.

We went to Cradle of Humankind which is supposedly where mankind started. Very interesting, with amazing views! There was an interesting museum (think Seattle Science Center) even with a mini "ride" if you will (a raft thing that took you through the ages). Afterwards we continued on our way to Soweto--which stands for South West Township of Joberg-- which finally felt like a real touch of Africa. We stayed at Lebo's Backpackers (a hostel type of lodging) in a middle class area of the township, with a "park" across the street. I put park in quotes because it used to be a field of garbage that was cleaned up four years ago so the kids had somewhere to play. Soweto period was just an amazing place and I have so many good things to say about it. Life changing. I am going back. Guarenteed- its just a matter of when. Anyway-- the first day we played volleyball and soccer with the kids while others made bracelets with some. After dinner, a group of people from Kliptown performed a play, which was INCREDIBLE! That night we sat around the fire and got to know the locals that worked there. The following morning we toured the township and went into an informal settlement. The living standard was drastically lower. We will chat if you're interested--- we also were able to go to the orphanage (Noah's, ironically sponsored by Gold Reef City, where we went to just a couple days previously). Goodness, so many stories I can't write down for the sake of being brief. Afterwards, we had lunch and then went to Kliptown, a settlement for the poorest of the poor. Wow. Again we will have to chat- so much to say. In short, it was an emotionally draining day. I mean there was a tower that the government spend BILLIONS of rands on literally across the train tracks that does not benefit Kliptown at all, despite the name. Furthermore, ahh. Blah. Yah. Anyway, after going there we returned to Lebo's and had dinner and decided to stay up late with locals again chatting by the fire. Very memorable. The following morning we, unfortunately, had to leave, and miss Bogani's soccer game which was at the same time. On the way to Pretoria, we stopped at the Monte Bay Casino for lunch and the afternoon. Talk about a reality change. Supposedly it was a lot like Vegas (although I have not been to validate the comparison). It was ridiculous- especially coming from the townships. We arrived at our hotel, went out to dinner and I turned in early because of the 4 business trips that were planned for the following day. Not much to say about those. We were given tours of Massmart stores, and were given more information about how business is done in SA. Again, went back to the hotel, out to dinner, and packed to leave the uneventful Pretoria. In the morning we were on our way to Kruger, with a planned pitstop at Blythe River Canyon, the 3rd deepest in the world (although rated at the 1st greenest canyon). We were only supposed to be there an hour and a half, but then our bus broke down and we were there for several hours-- which I was really happy about because it was so beautiful. I hiked down a bit and just sat around taking it in. It was nice to get outdoors. When the new bus arrived, we finished our ride to Kruger and checked into our hotel (which is amazing btw). Our "room" is a hut with grass roofs. The following morning we went on a "game drive" as a large group. Afterwards, we hit up the pool, and I served as bartender at the pool bar for the evening. This morning I had a hike with a smaller group in which we were walked Kruger with rangers. Awesome!!! We saw 2 of the 300 wild dogs in the park (rarer than a lion), as well as several impalas, a giraffe, zebras, something I don't remember the name of, among many different birds and plants that were pointed out and described. SO SWEET!!! We even rode in one of those safari jeeps before we got to where we were hiking around. Anyway, now we are back at the hotel and I have finally had access to a computer and figured I'd update this. I know it was brief, but its pretty much a bullet list. Things are going really well and I can't believe that we are pretty much halfway through the trip. Eeek.

peace.love.happiness --> which btw, there is a SA handshake for!!! (I love it!)