Packing Up, Moving Out.

Even though I am the only one not going home at the end of the semester, I cannot shake the feeling of the end. I am not ready to say goodbye to some of the wonderful people I have connected with these past months.

My suitcase is laying open on the floor and it has been taunting me the past few days. I have had the mental dilemma of what I will need the next few months traveling and what should go into storage until I start my next semester in Howard. The minimalist part of me is in constant battle with that ridiculous pack-rat part of me, while the rest of me is just in disbelief about the crap (and not-so-crap items) that have accumulated over the quick four months. The end, dream goal is to be left with my 70 liter pack and a day pack full for the next 2 1/2 months and then the rest off to storage. 

For the first 25 days of my 'summer' holiday, my friend Catherine and I will be doing an Overlands Tour of southern Africa. We will start in Johannesburg and head up north to Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, and then back down to Cape Town. We will be on a bus with others and this should make to be an absolutely wonderful experience.

 Some of the highlights of the tour will be: 

Kruger National Park, South Africa

Victoria Falls National Park

Chobe National Park, Botswana

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Fish River Canyon, Namibia

Swakopmund, Namibia

Otjitotongwe Cheetah Park

Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia

Windhoek, Namibia

Etosha National Park, Namibia

- See more at: http://www.acacia-africa.com/acacia_overland/south_west_safari_25_days_2013.php#sthash.W4n8yDeT.dpuf

Kruger National Park, South Africa

Victoria Falls National Park

Chobe National Park, Botswana

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Fish River Canyon, Namibia

Swakopmund, Namibia

Otjitotongwe Cheetah Park

Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia

Windhoek, Namibia

Etosha National Park, Namibia

Right now, a few days away, it still does not feel real. We will camping a lot, which, of course, is right up my alley. 

I will hopefully get wifi in certain locations, and will be sure to post updates here and there. 

After the excursion, I will be Cape Town for a week before my Mom, Scott, and Ian arrive. Above all, I cannot wait to see their faces at the airport.

I am going to miss the friends I have made here in Pietermaritzburg, and next semester will not be the same without some of them with me. However, some new faces certainly wouldn't be a bad thing.

I hope everyone is doing well,

Much love,

El

 

 

Kruger National Park, South Africa

Victoria Falls National Park

Chobe National Park, Botswana

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Fish River Canyon, Namibia

Swakopmund, Namibia

Otjitotongwe Cheetah Park

Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia

Windhoek, Namibia

Etosha National Park, Namibia

- See more at: http://www.acacia-africa.com/acacia_overland/south_west_safari_25_days_2013.php#sthash.W4n8yDeT.dpuf

Kruger National Park, South Africa

Victoria Falls National Park

Chobe National Park, Botswana

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Fish River Canyon, Namibia

Swakopmund, Namibia

Otjitotongwe Cheetah Park

Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia

Windhoek, Namibia

Etosha National Park, Namibia

- See more at: http://www.acacia-africa.com/acacia_overland/south_west_safari_25_days_2013.php#sthash.W4n8yDeT.dpuf

It's Alive!!! (The internet, that is...)

Finally!!

So, I know it has been a long time since my last blog post. I would like to say that my lack of upkeep on Sunscreen for Hippos is due to my vigorous studying for final exams, but.... it has more to do with my utter laziness.








The internet in res has been down for the past week and that has led to a very frustrating disconnection from the 'outside world'. In addition, as soon as the internet was back up in res, my computer, of course, decides that it wants to be a diva and not connect.


After close to an hour in the ICT office, working with yet another diva, I am finally able to be back online. I would also like to say that most of my frustration was due to not being able to access essential information in preparation for my exams, but... I cannot say that either. Mainly I was frustrated about not being able to skype my family and not being able to catch up on the latest episode of Survivor or The Voice.


While nothing too interesting has occurred since the semester is winding down, I do have a frustratingly funny story that I can safely share with readers across seas rather than my local friends who are here (mainly the ones living in res).


Two or so weeks back, I received a WONDERFUL care package from the Denning family. It was filled with a package Halloween Oreos (finished in a record of 2 days), REAL bacon, taco seasoning, a lovely card, and a hand held immersion blender! The latter I was most excited for because it opened up a whole new cooking avenue for me.
       After excitedly buying strawberries, bananas, kiwis, and yogurt to make a smoothie, I rushed back to res to ceremonially put it to use. In my overwhelming excitement, I plugged it into the wall... and that is where it all went wrong....

       In my haste, I forgot about the voltage change from the US to SA, and because of my mindless blunder, the electricity was out in all of the kitchen. Panic sunk in and I desperately tried to revive the poor blender, but, alas, it was gone.... and so was the microwave... and the toaster... and the electric stoves...and, worst of all, the refrigerator and the two freezers.

For a WHOLE WEEK, the kitchen was... indisposed; nothing worked.
I bet you can imagine all the lovely smells coming out of the fridge when that week was over.


I hope everyone is enjoying the fall weather!

Much love,

El