Bye Bye SA!!!!

Hi!!
Well it's 11am on Sunday and its my last day in South Africa, flying at 6.10pm tonight! Really looking forward to seeing everyone, although I'm sure people are going to get sick on me talking about my travels and showing my photos!

I'll start with last Monday, asusual I'm behind on my blog again! So Monday daytime was spent printing out lots and lots of photos - but there are some good ones so I'm happy! In the evening Lynn, Michelle, Ashley and I went on a township shebeen tour called Dinner at Mandelas. The shebeen was in the first township I visited, (still can't remember the name) we arrived and mixed with the locals, which was interesting! Then we were entertained by street dancers, which was really good! Not sure how they move their bodies in such strange ways, I'm sure mine would never do that, even after years of training! Next we had a traditional Xhosa meal, which was ok, I enjoyed the beef stew and Xhosa bread. The rest of the food (lots of beans and spices) I wasn't too keen on! The next set of performers were a little unusual, it was a group of men dressed in tribal gear (from Zululand) that 'danced' to a beating drum, there was a lot of high kicks and falling on the floor involved! Lastly we were invited to get up and dance with the locals!! I think we were their entertainment at this point, as they all seemed to enjoy watching the white people trying to dance!!! It was a good night and we laughed a lot.


Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning was my last shift at Bap, which was a shame, my time there seemed to go so fast. Was nice to see on the kids on Tuesday and to be greeted by lots of little arms hugging my legs!

Wednesday was a nice day, in the morning I gave out marshmallows and balloons, which the kids loved! So they spent a lot of time playing with the balloons and then fighting over the ones that where left! Sunshine (one of my favourites) arrived back from the Redcross hospital covered in Bandages - from head to toe - I didn't recognise him at first!! Apparently he has a skin condition and will have to wear them for 2 weeks, poor Mr Sunshine!!
During our lunch time, Lynn had organised relay races for the older kids, which was fairly chaotic but the boys seemed to enjoy the races.

Thursday lunchtime was spent doing arts and crafts with the older children, they don't have anything to do all day when school has finished, so was good to keep them busy for a while.
In the afternoon, I found a bubble blower lying around so I took it to play with the toddlers, some really liked them and enjoyed running into all the bubbles, which was funny. I also took some stick on jewels for the kids, the olders toddlers loved thinking they had earings like mine! We had a singing and dancing session late afternoon. The careworkers would often sing and dance with all the toddlers, which is such good fun, they all join in! is a huge part of the Xhosa culture and it really is so much fun!

Friday was a bit sad - saying bye to the kids, will miss them! I wish the things they needed could be bought but they can't. I am so lucky to have loving family and friends, a safe home and opportunities for the future. I've learn't a lot from the children and won't forget my time at Bap, really enjoyed it!
Friday night Lynn, Ashley, Marta and I went out for tea to a local Mexican restaurant, which was ok. Then Lynn had treated us to going to see a play at the Baxter theatre. It was funny, it was 5 Xhosa women singing and tap dancing a play about hating men!!! Strange but I enjoyed it!

Yesterday I spent having a last look round Cape Town and chatting with friends. Lynn had flown home early in the morning so hope her flights are going ok. In the evening I started to pack, which was a nightmare!

So now, I'm here finishing off my last blog from South Africa, packed and ready to go. Had such an amazing time here, will never forget it and I'm so glad I did it. There have been ups and downs but learn't a lot from all my experiences. I would reccommend it to you all!!!!!

My time is running out now so I best go, can't wait to see you all (and bore you with my photos and stories)!!!!!!

Over and out from SA!!!!!!!

Love Han
xxxxxxx