So I made it to Johannesburg and was amazed at how the 16 hour flight was not that bad. I watched a few movies, talked to one of the nicest guys ever and slept a few hours. We had a seat in between open which was SO great. The guy in my row was on his way to Pretoria from Florida, where he would be doing research work at the university on Forest Ecology. He was looking forward to his wife meeting up with him towards the end of his time here when they would explore the area together.
I met a man who is a crocodile expert on the shuttle to the hotel. He had just finished up a wildlife education session on a cruise, but does a lot of his work is in Malawi and southern Africa. He was born and raised in Zimbabwe and travels a lot for his job. Very interesting people!
Random comments:
-as soon as I got off the plane in Johannesburg, I heard Phil Collins' Groovy Kind of Love from the airport speakers. Welcome to Africa?
-the crocodile hunter from Zimbabwe told me to "keep my wits about me" aka "Be Careful!"
-I had guava fruit for the first time
-there are 3 knives displayed at the place settings in the hotel- must learn proper etiquette- which one should I cut my guava fruit with!? ;)
- a plane flies over VERY low every 1-2 minutes (because so close to the airport)
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Be careful!
I leave for Africa in 2 days and it has been interesting to see the response from people when they hear about my travel plans. There are two main reactions- "Wow, that sounds amazing and is going to be a trip of a lifetime!" and then "Be careful!" or an occasional "Africa!?" with no follow up questions.
Most people are genuinely concerned about my safety. People have asked me if I am nervous. Absolutely! Even I, at times, have been SO concerned about my own protection that I have become overly self focused and fear sets in. When that happens, I remind myself why I am going, whose idea this was anyway and how God's protection is exceedingly above all I could hope or imagine. Then I find rest again.
The trip planning has been smooth sailing from the beginning. It has been a ton of work, but what I mean is that everything has fallen into place. Until South Africa. I had planned to spend the weekend in South Africa to visit a couple friends who live in CapeTown before I begin the volunteer work. How amazing would that be! As it turned out, it was too costly to fly to CapeTown to see them, they weren't able to come to me in Johannesburg and since it wasn't the purpose of my trip, I decided to find a hotel where I could adjust to the time zone, recuperate from the 15 hour flight and gear up for Mozambique. The hotel I thought I had secured through a travel agent fell through- no room left at the inn and the other options for $300-400 a night and not even that close to the airport. I began hearing all of these warnings from people about the city and how dangerous it is. Again, "be careful! don't go out alone, don't even take a taxi!" OK, well this should be a fun experience;).
Well, I sent out a prayer request to friends and soon after, secured the same hotel that the travel agent had tried to get for me by me going through Priceline directly (go figure?). I even spoke to someone live to get full assurance that I have a room there. What happened in the meantime is what has blown me away. My pastor connected me with a couple from my church in Seattle who just moved to Johannesburg. They responded immediately to my email and have gone above and beyond to care for me while I am there, truly above and beyond! They provided very practical advice about security/safety measures, called the hotel to get specific instructions for me about navigating to the airport shuttle and are planning to pick me up from the hotel to have lunch with them at their home. It is so amazing to see how the details of this part of my trip have been orchestrated. Why would they go out of their way for me? I realize that this couple who I have never met is "family" because we are part of the body of Christ. There are no questions-they heard about a need and responded. Amazing!
Below is a picture from a rock climbing trip that makes me think about where I am in this journey. We are not yet to our destination, that is, the intended wall we wanted to climb. We took a break along the trail. One friend is looking ahead at how much further we need to go. Another is looking back in the distance to see how far we had come.
Most people are genuinely concerned about my safety. People have asked me if I am nervous. Absolutely! Even I, at times, have been SO concerned about my own protection that I have become overly self focused and fear sets in. When that happens, I remind myself why I am going, whose idea this was anyway and how God's protection is exceedingly above all I could hope or imagine. Then I find rest again.
The trip planning has been smooth sailing from the beginning. It has been a ton of work, but what I mean is that everything has fallen into place. Until South Africa. I had planned to spend the weekend in South Africa to visit a couple friends who live in CapeTown before I begin the volunteer work. How amazing would that be! As it turned out, it was too costly to fly to CapeTown to see them, they weren't able to come to me in Johannesburg and since it wasn't the purpose of my trip, I decided to find a hotel where I could adjust to the time zone, recuperate from the 15 hour flight and gear up for Mozambique. The hotel I thought I had secured through a travel agent fell through- no room left at the inn and the other options for $300-400 a night and not even that close to the airport. I began hearing all of these warnings from people about the city and how dangerous it is. Again, "be careful! don't go out alone, don't even take a taxi!" OK, well this should be a fun experience;).
Well, I sent out a prayer request to friends and soon after, secured the same hotel that the travel agent had tried to get for me by me going through Priceline directly (go figure?). I even spoke to someone live to get full assurance that I have a room there. What happened in the meantime is what has blown me away. My pastor connected me with a couple from my church in Seattle who just moved to Johannesburg. They responded immediately to my email and have gone above and beyond to care for me while I am there, truly above and beyond! They provided very practical advice about security/safety measures, called the hotel to get specific instructions for me about navigating to the airport shuttle and are planning to pick me up from the hotel to have lunch with them at their home. It is so amazing to see how the details of this part of my trip have been orchestrated. Why would they go out of their way for me? I realize that this couple who I have never met is "family" because we are part of the body of Christ. There are no questions-they heard about a need and responded. Amazing!
Below is a picture from a rock climbing trip that makes me think about where I am in this journey. We are not yet to our destination, that is, the intended wall we wanted to climb. We took a break along the trail. One friend is looking ahead at how much further we need to go. Another is looking back in the distance to see how far we had come.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Life back in NC
I left Seattle in mid-February and, overall, it really has been a great experience moving back home and adjusting to a new life. I have enjoyed reconnecting with family and friends. It has been hard at times because I miss everyone in Seattle and I have been so disconnected from people in NC for many years (outside of family and close friends). I miss rock climbing, potluck dinners, coffee dates, going for runs along the Puget Sound, local hiking, walks around Green Lake, HOT yoga, runs through the Sculpture Park and along Myrtle Edwards, the beauty of the water, Mt Rainer, the Olympic Mountains, Lincoln Park, ferry rides. I miss the food! There are so many great restaurants in Seattle and organic, gluten free options are plentiful. I think of my favorite spots- Mashiko, Circa, Purple, Black Bottle, Long Provencial, Buddha Ruksa, Seastar, Jade Garden dim sum ...to name a few. I enjoy keeping up with friends and their adventures and dining experiences through Facebook. I do miss my life there a ton, but I know I am on the path that I am supposed to be and I look forward.
What do I love about NC? Well, I have loved getting to spend so much time with family. My parents and I have enjoyed lots of time talking, watching a few movies, putting together puzzles, sharing meals, sitting on the deck, talking about our day, and the adventures ahead. I don't think any of us ever imagined I would be living at home again, but I see this time as a gift. Life can race by and we sometimes don't make time to really spend time together. This time is very short in the grand scheme of things, so I am going to make the most of it. I actually love being in a family. I realized after living alone for 2.5 yrs that I really missed being in a "community". Don't get me wrong, I love alone time, but I believe we are made to live in community. I certainly had community all around me, but I mean living together in a community. We are not made to live isolated and disconnected from people, as many of us do in this very independent country. I am thankful for community, thankful for family and pray that people all over the world are brought into loving "families" (however those families are defined).
I have gotten to spend quality time with my grandmother, one of the absolute highlights of my time back in NC. She has been a huge help to me by allowing me to store my things in her basement and using her car to get around before I fly out next week. We've shared stories, laughs, run errands together, and been to church together a few times. I've gotten to see my aunts, uncles, cousins, even though briefly at times, it is always a treasure. Below is a picture of me, my Dad and my Grandma.
What else do I love about NC? I love the sunshine, the warmth, the spring blossoms, the clear skies, the cool evenings, the sunsets, the morning birds chirping and thunderstorms. I love the friendliness of people. I love being acknowledged when I pass someone. People smile, wave, ask how my day is going, and it feels good to be seen. Have you ever walked past someone on the street or in the hall, said hello and been ignored? It is as if some people look past you, right through you, as though you don't exist. That is so hard for me to understand!
Some things have been challenging, like being chased by dogs on country roads while jogging, finding something that isn't fried at some local favorite restaurants (for all you dessert lovers, you can find banana pudding on the vegetable list at many local restaurants- but seriously people, banana pudding is NOT a vegetable), needing to have a car to get anywhere, driving 25 miles an hour through a bazillion school zones (lots of great schools around these parts), and occasionally getting stuck behind a tractor (fortunately the DMV provides instructions for how to handle approaching farm equipment in your vehicle- the correct answer on the licensing test is NOT to lay on the horn constantly while approaching at a fast speed- no charge for that helpful tip;)!).
Seriously though, this is such a gift in my life to have this time with family, friends and to know that God is leading me to something so exciting. I can't wait to see what unfolds! Thanks to each and every one of you for your support during this journey! My heart is full:).
What do I love about NC? Well, I have loved getting to spend so much time with family. My parents and I have enjoyed lots of time talking, watching a few movies, putting together puzzles, sharing meals, sitting on the deck, talking about our day, and the adventures ahead. I don't think any of us ever imagined I would be living at home again, but I see this time as a gift. Life can race by and we sometimes don't make time to really spend time together. This time is very short in the grand scheme of things, so I am going to make the most of it. I actually love being in a family. I realized after living alone for 2.5 yrs that I really missed being in a "community". Don't get me wrong, I love alone time, but I believe we are made to live in community. I certainly had community all around me, but I mean living together in a community. We are not made to live isolated and disconnected from people, as many of us do in this very independent country. I am thankful for community, thankful for family and pray that people all over the world are brought into loving "families" (however those families are defined).
I have gotten to spend quality time with my grandmother, one of the absolute highlights of my time back in NC. She has been a huge help to me by allowing me to store my things in her basement and using her car to get around before I fly out next week. We've shared stories, laughs, run errands together, and been to church together a few times. I've gotten to see my aunts, uncles, cousins, even though briefly at times, it is always a treasure. Below is a picture of me, my Dad and my Grandma.
Some things have been challenging, like being chased by dogs on country roads while jogging, finding something that isn't fried at some local favorite restaurants (for all you dessert lovers, you can find banana pudding on the vegetable list at many local restaurants- but seriously people, banana pudding is NOT a vegetable), needing to have a car to get anywhere, driving 25 miles an hour through a bazillion school zones (lots of great schools around these parts), and occasionally getting stuck behind a tractor (fortunately the DMV provides instructions for how to handle approaching farm equipment in your vehicle- the correct answer on the licensing test is NOT to lay on the horn constantly while approaching at a fast speed- no charge for that helpful tip;)!).
Seriously though, this is such a gift in my life to have this time with family, friends and to know that God is leading me to something so exciting. I can't wait to see what unfolds! Thanks to each and every one of you for your support during this journey! My heart is full:).
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