The defining moment in my life that shifted the way I was thinking...and brought me to ubuntu.
Great question. Tough to answer.
In the sense of living and breathing and working and playing.
Somehow, I am finished all my days of work on the conservation here in South Africa and am headed for a 5 day "vacation from my vacation" in the wonderful land of Cape Town...
We're going for one last drive around the reserve, a game drive for a couple hours and then off to the airport. I will really, really miss it here.
It's been a beautiful, sometimes eye opening and a few times even downright frightening experience. I do believe I did good here. I think I made a little change, a tiny little dent in the world, along with the help of you - the people in my life. Supplies were given, books were gifted, hard work was (definitely!) done and best of all, lots of smiles were shared. I know that this is not the last volunteer trip I do, not by far...it's sparked a love and passion in me for the whole process and I'm already thinking of the next: Uganda, Jan. 2011? And the things I can do at home.
I definitely have to say that this trip has been more than I could have expected, it's made me realize a lot about myself that I had thought was true, but can only be verified when you're traveling 5000 miles from home by yourself. I have also come to appreciate my life at home in so many new ways, as well as the amazing people who have poured their support in since coming here. It seems that every couple days I leave the computer with tears in my eyes from an email or message (or an air package my beauty Kensi!) I feel so so so blessed to be living my life here, but to have that to go home too. So blessed. I also hoped that my blog has oozed the inspiration and spirit I've felt since being here. If I could package up that spirit in a bottle and bring it home I would! Or maybe I could bring home a couple of the kids...wonder what they'd think of that?! I have been very lucky though, and I feel like I have a couple angels up there watchin' me...I do know when I get home I will be much more driven and focused on making a change in communities and areas of the world that I can. I think the trip has made me grow up (not really grow up, who wants to grow up?) But grow as a person and think about the more positive things I want in my life. And about how I can radiate that outwards for others.
Our last braai was a SUCCESS. Meat in South Africa is so cheap and so good! This was our last hunk that we cooked this last Saturday (sorry if this huge steak offends any vegetarians...haha).
Then we were blessed with my first real African thunderstorm, which is rare in April (it's getting into Winter here...25+ days rather than 30+ but very dry). The storm picked up while we were sitting around the fire, so the fire's dancing like crazy, it starts raining, we run for cover and stayed in the lounge watching scary movies. It was brilliant! The thunder was so loud and the lightning was a beautiful show. Thanks to the heavens for letting me have that before I go...
Our last three days of work consisted of more recycling efforts, creating stone barriers so that the animals don't migrate to areas of the reserve that they shouldn't, testing water around the reserve (it was like Science class all over again...pH...nitrates...etc.) and more guns!
This morning was very interesting, as Tony (who runs the conservation) opened up about how Mary (his wife) and him were involved in the civillian military here in South Africa from 1990 until 2006. They were back-ups for police, border control, you name it, specifically because there was so much chaos and just not enough authority. BUT, in 2006, then President Thabo Mbeki decided that he couldn't trust any white people in this "military" so all whites were disbanded and forced to hand over their firearms and weapons. In other words, reverse racism. Martin & Tony then got into a heated debate about whether or not guns should be legal, if cillivans should be able to own guns...they both made good points and basically in Germany, like Canada, guns are banned; however, they are (for the most part) fundamentally law-abiding countries...South Africa, not so much. I didn't want to get into it...
Yesterday afternoon we drove Martin's Mercedes Jeep 4x4 around the reserve to test the various water sites, was quite fun. He travelled from Cairo down through Africa in this and I'm thinkin' that should be my next adventure...haha. Here is the jeep in front of the Tweedragt Dam:
My very last morning tomorrow...I'm going to miss sitting overlooking the reserve with toast and coffee...wildabeast coming right up and putting on a show, meerkats running through the grasses. This was my lookout, my hideaway and my point of solace for the last 4 weeks. My favourite place to eat breakfast or sip a cider after a long days work:
This afternoon we headed to Pretoria to do last minute running around for my next adventures and saw a "film" (haha I will never get over the accents here, everything I type here I'm saying in an accent) The International for, get this, 15 rand ($1.50 US). It was odd and very nice to watch this movie, set in Germany and through New York and Turkey, in the wonderful world of Africa.
We're going for one last drive around the reserve, a game drive for a couple hours and then off to the airport. I will really, really miss it here.
It's been a beautiful, sometimes eye opening and a few times even downright frightening experience. I do believe I did good here. I think I made a little change, a tiny little dent in the world, along with the help of you - the people in my life. Supplies were given, books were gifted, hard work was (definitely!) done and best of all, lots of smiles were shared. I know that this is not the last volunteer trip I do, not by far...it's sparked a love and passion in me for the whole process and I'm already thinking of the next: Uganda, Jan. 2011? And the things I can do at home.
I definitely have to say that this trip has been more than I could have expected, it's made me realize a lot about myself that I had thought was true, but can only be verified when you're traveling 5000 miles from home by yourself. I have also come to appreciate my life at home in so many new ways, as well as the amazing people who have poured their support in since coming here. It seems that every couple days I leave the computer with tears in my eyes from an email or message (or an air package my beauty Kensi!) I feel so so so blessed to be living my life here, but to have that to go home too. So blessed. I also hoped that my blog has oozed the inspiration and spirit I've felt since being here. If I could package up that spirit in a bottle and bring it home I would! Or maybe I could bring home a couple of the kids...wonder what they'd think of that?! I have been very lucky though, and I feel like I have a couple angels up there watchin' me...I do know when I get home I will be much more driven and focused on making a change in communities and areas of the world that I can. I think the trip has made me grow up (not really grow up, who wants to grow up?) But grow as a person and think about the more positive things I want in my life. And about how I can radiate that outwards for others.
At the end of the day, everyone's searching for humanity, love and kindness and it's present, everyday, everywhere! I dropped something in the Amsterdam airport and a man followed me up three flights of stairs to give it back to me. Our tour guide for Soweto waited an hour and a half as I got lost all over Jo'burg so we wouldn't miss a tour that was important to us. Every time I met a person that didn't speak English, we still had a huge smile and a wave, the universal language. This is all we need for this life!
Ohh...before I forget, Nyawira (ZOTE) sent me this email today:
Hello and Good Day Tamara,
We want to extend out heartfelt thanks for all the wonderful donations you bought. They went over quite well. The dictionaries went to the secondary school, and some of the other items will be used in our first time winter camp for Primary age kids, as incentives and gifts. I will get you photos.
Please send me your home address so we may send you something via mail!
Safe travels in your continued journey, and we hope to see you in the future!
Best,
Nyawira Charity Tshivhengwa
Director, Education and Community Development
ZOTE Investments and Projects
Web: http://www.zoteworldwide.com/
We want to extend out heartfelt thanks for all the wonderful donations you bought. They went over quite well. The dictionaries went to the secondary school, and some of the other items will be used in our first time winter camp for Primary age kids, as incentives and gifts. I will get you photos.
Please send me your home address so we may send you something via mail!
Safe travels in your continued journey, and we hope to see you in the future!
Best,
Nyawira Charity Tshivhengwa
Director, Education and Community Development
ZOTE Investments and Projects
Web: http://www.zoteworldwide.com/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, c'est la vie for now. I learned here that "safari" in Swahili literally translates to "journey". It's been an incredible one and, this is only the beginning!
I probably won't get to update my blog even close to as much as I have been as I won't have consistent access to the Internet or to download pictures, but I will try too as often as I can.
I probably won't get to update my blog even close to as much as I have been as I won't have consistent access to the Internet or to download pictures, but I will try too as often as I can.
Thank you for everything, everyone's support in their own way has made my trip.
Off to Cape Town!
xoxo
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