Rachel's Volunteering Year In South Africa!: The First Farewells and Travelling

Good afternoon from South Africa! Here's my latest blog about the past three weeks...

Week 43 (Monday 1st July - Sunday 7th July) - First Farewells

So way back on Monday 1st, it was the day after we arrived back at base after driving back down from Potchefstroom. We spent the morning finishing unpacking all the gear we had brought back down with us. Me and Talitha also helped with prep for the DSD course starting that day so we cleaned and mopped the dining room and then safety checked the abseil gear that was going to be used for the course. We ended up getting the afternoon off since there wasn't really anything else to do (and we weren't on the DSD course). I also helped some instructors write/check over individuals (reports on the participants) from the course up in Potch.

Me and Talitha (if you're wondering where Scott is at this point in time, he's on leave as his family came over to visit him) had Tuesday off. We spent most of the morning in Sedgefield and had lunch there before walking back to base and chilling here - we actually ended up painting 'goodbye cards' for everyone.

It was back to safety checks on Wednesday, so Talitha and I were once again in the rox store for the day. After trying to detangle and then coil the MASSIVE (and I cannot stress enough how long this rope is!!!) Robertson abseil line and failing tremendously, we decided to relax it - spreading it out to loosen up all the twists and stiffness of the rope. I wish I had a photo of the size of the rope once it's coiled, maybe I'll take one for the next blog.

Thursday morning Talitha, Joe and me did the high ropes safety checks. I went up jacobs ladder while Talitha belayed me and then we swapped around for the trapeze. Also helped with the vehicle safety checks that day. A few staff members were also leaving to go back home for leave these days.

Looking back at my diary, we were quite busy on Friday! We started with some maintenance around base - fixing the fiberglass on the canoes with some good old sandpaper, fixing some signs, a geyser cover and the light for the toilets. I also helped some people from the local church move mattresses (if you ever need a mattress, the OBSA Pod Store is the place to go) into the back of their bakkie. Scott came to base before lunch and we had a closing circle for Talitha before trying to get her into the water (an OB tradition). The rest of the day we spent trying to work out where the air is escaping in one of the rafts, writing certificates for the course and then we also went to town where I bought some strawberries.

On Saturday morning we got a lift with Shirley to the market where we met up with Scott and his family. It was really nice to chat with them all and they even brought tea cakes!! Before lunch, Shirley took Talitha to the airport as she was leaving SA a bit earlier than me and Scott. I was definitely going to miss her crazy personality around base! On Sunday Scott and his family came to base so I spent some time with them out on the kayaks - both his brothers managed to get a kayak roll! The DSD course also ended on Sunday morning, I think the instructors were very glad to see the end of it.

Week 44 (Monday 8th July - Sunday 14th July) - Cape Town!

So on Monday morning I said my first proper goodbyes (sorry Talitha you don't count, I'll see you in August). Anyways, I said goodbye to both Emily and Zanza who I've loved working with these past 11 months. Bryce then dropped me off in Sedgefield where I got on a bus (only half an hour late - a miracle here in SA!!) and headed to Cape Town.

I spent a week in Cape Town visiting museums, the water front, Kirstenbosch botanical gardens, some city gardens, a tour of the city and also a very cool coffee shop. I also met up with some of the OB instructors who live in Cape Town which was good. The weather was also amazing which is always an added bonus!

Week 45 (Monday 15th July - Sunday 21st July) - Durban and back to base

So on Monday I traveled to Durban which is in the Kala-Zulu Natal province. Travelling took the whole day so I didn't really do anything once I got to the backpackers I was staying at. The next day I went on one the inner city tours the backpackers run. It was very interesting to learn about the history of Durban and about certain buildings and areas. Our guide (who was fantastic) also took us to a street market where they make traditional medicine. And of course for lunch we all got a bunny chow - a famous classic meal here in Durban. Wednesday I spent at the beach which is another thing Durban is famous for. The water was definitely warmer than back in Sedgefield!

It was an early morning on Thursday as I was flying back to George. Bryce kindly picked me up at the airport and brought me back to base. There was meant to be a course happening on Friday but it got cancelled and although I was really looking forward to doing one more course I think it was for the best that it didn't happen - it was heavy rain all day.

The rain never stopped and lasted all of Saturday too. Thankfully there was patches of drizzle while I walked to the market. That didn't last long though and the heavy rain came back so I took shelter in wimpy and sat with a coffee waiting to see if it cleared up. The sun made an appearance on Sunday which I was super happy about as I could do my washing and let it dry.

Sunday also marked the three weeks left point. It's super scary to think that I have less than a month left here!

Enjoy the photos,

Rachel :)