"Don't I know you from somewhere?"
I love holidays! It's so nice to be off work and enjoying the company of some fellow Canadians.
Sara and Jenny (2 CGC volunteers in Namibia) joined me in Cape Town last week and this past Tuesday we flew to Joburg on our way to Mozambique!
I stopped in at an orphanage (TLC) to see my friend Simon who is volunteering there for a few months! It is an incredible place and even though I was only there for 2 days - I, like all the staff, picked my favourite little bundle of joy as well. It's amazing how they grow on you so quickly... really didn't see it coming.
While I was there, I ran into 2 girls I'd done a tour with to Cape Point in November from Germany, 2 girls I recognized from Wetaskin, AB (although we are still trying to figure out from where) and a girl from Saskatoon who went to my highschool! Random eh?! Plus it was great to catch up with Simon who I hadn't see for too too too many years. It was a grand time and we even went ICE SKATING for a social one night. It was so much fun and before we noticed the rules posted on the boards - we even snuck in a small snowball fight! I think that was enough snow to tide me over until... well next October/November! I can handle that.
Next I met my co-adventurers at the bus station and we began the journey to Maputo. However we were nearly not allowed on the bus because we did not have our visas. But they finally relented and let us board with a warning that they may have to leave us behind if we took too long at the border. We were ever optimistic and assured each other that all would work out. Jenny and I even scored 2 front seats together so we were really sure things were looking up. But, as soon as the bus started they announced that we would be stopping in Pretoria to change buses as the one we were on was not in suitable condition for the trip. uh okay - no problem. New bus, 2 hours later - we were back on the road. A little late, but still hopeful.
Then we got to the border, wow - I have never been so sweaty at a standstill ever in my life! It was sooo hot! We jammed too many people into the crossing offices, filled out the forms, paid the fee, sweated, and waited for the processing.. All the while our bus attendant is threatening to leave us behind if we delay them. Ok, we can do this I thought, no matter that I see the man behind the desk restart his computer every few minutes, it'll work out. Eventually Jenny and Kate did get their visas on time so they left on the bus with all of our stuff. Good plan.
Sara and I waited another hour and teamed up with a Dutch couple to see if we could hitch hike into the city (120 km away). We ended up meeting a lovely man with a truck who lived across the street from our hostel - all's well that ends well...
We've spent a day and a bit exploring Maputo and it's markets and now we're just waiting for the shuttle to Tofo - beach!! Sweet.
So far Mozambique has been lovely and we keep commenting that we don't feel like such an attraction here. I also had the most spicy meal ever - I felt like I had gained the capability to breathe fire - woah!
Merry Christmas!
Sara and Jenny (2 CGC volunteers in Namibia) joined me in Cape Town last week and this past Tuesday we flew to Joburg on our way to Mozambique!
I stopped in at an orphanage (TLC) to see my friend Simon who is volunteering there for a few months! It is an incredible place and even though I was only there for 2 days - I, like all the staff, picked my favourite little bundle of joy as well. It's amazing how they grow on you so quickly... really didn't see it coming.
While I was there, I ran into 2 girls I'd done a tour with to Cape Point in November from Germany, 2 girls I recognized from Wetaskin, AB (although we are still trying to figure out from where) and a girl from Saskatoon who went to my highschool! Random eh?! Plus it was great to catch up with Simon who I hadn't see for too too too many years. It was a grand time and we even went ICE SKATING for a social one night. It was so much fun and before we noticed the rules posted on the boards - we even snuck in a small snowball fight! I think that was enough snow to tide me over until... well next October/November! I can handle that.
Next I met my co-adventurers at the bus station and we began the journey to Maputo. However we were nearly not allowed on the bus because we did not have our visas. But they finally relented and let us board with a warning that they may have to leave us behind if we took too long at the border. We were ever optimistic and assured each other that all would work out. Jenny and I even scored 2 front seats together so we were really sure things were looking up. But, as soon as the bus started they announced that we would be stopping in Pretoria to change buses as the one we were on was not in suitable condition for the trip. uh okay - no problem. New bus, 2 hours later - we were back on the road. A little late, but still hopeful.
Then we got to the border, wow - I have never been so sweaty at a standstill ever in my life! It was sooo hot! We jammed too many people into the crossing offices, filled out the forms, paid the fee, sweated, and waited for the processing.. All the while our bus attendant is threatening to leave us behind if we delay them. Ok, we can do this I thought, no matter that I see the man behind the desk restart his computer every few minutes, it'll work out. Eventually Jenny and Kate did get their visas on time so they left on the bus with all of our stuff. Good plan.
Sara and I waited another hour and teamed up with a Dutch couple to see if we could hitch hike into the city (120 km away). We ended up meeting a lovely man with a truck who lived across the street from our hostel - all's well that ends well...
We've spent a day and a bit exploring Maputo and it's markets and now we're just waiting for the shuttle to Tofo - beach!! Sweet.
So far Mozambique has been lovely and we keep commenting that we don't feel like such an attraction here. I also had the most spicy meal ever - I felt like I had gained the capability to breathe fire - woah!
Merry Christmas!
posted by Myriam @ 6:13 a.m.
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