Yesterday, was an adventure exploring the animail kingdom! We (a group of 20 new friends) went to Seabay Lion Park located about half an hours drive away from PE. Once there we drove back to the lions passing by giraffes, antalope, peacocks, water buffalo, and all sorts of other animails. Upon seeing arriving we walked around the lion and tiger cages. The animals are there because they were injured or taken in after being in the circus and have much more room to roam than in a zoo. We watch the lions being fed which wasn't as climatic as I anticipated because they simply took the meat and there was not much confrontation or aggression amoungst the lions for the meal. After that we walked to the baby lions and were permitted to go in the cage and pet them! They were adorable but sleepy because lions sleep about 19 hours a day. Crossing over a shaky wooden walkway we were able to see crocidles, leopards, wild hogs, and more lions. It was what I imagine to be an animal lovers paradise, and I found it to be interesting!

South Africa continues to be a unique and educational experience in both practical and educational ways. Coleen claims my cooking has improved and we enjoy cooking together while listening to Shaggy and dancing!! :)  Everyday I am introduced to new people and with that completly new personalities allowing me the opportunity to gain experience in working with diversity in every possible aspect. Just a few days ago I met a man who was 23 and had never talked to a girl with blue eyes before he was from Zimbabwe and amazed that eyes could be so light coloured.

I will be updating you with more informative things in South Africa soon but I hope everything continues to go so well back home, please build a snowman for me and I will be sure to swim in the ocean for you! :)

bunnnngeeeeee!!

WOW! South Africa is fantastic! I WENT BUNGEE JUMPING OFF THE WORLD'S HIGHEST BUNGEE JUMP!!! Actually, I was pushed. But either way I did it with no tears! The jump was 216 meters and the most exhilarating thing i have ever experienced. You hang by your ankles and head straight for the ground. I don't have enough adjectives to describe how pretty the area was. The bridge was set between mountains and the ocean on one side. Unreal. First, I guess I should back track and talk about the weekend. Nine of us rented cars and headed out to Jeffery's Bay where we stayed in a hostel. I was expecting the hostel to be a sketchy cabin with lots of people crammed in, I was pleasantly surprised to find out how wrong I was. This hostel was located right next to the ocean, overlooking mountains, the coastal line with the city, and the splashing waves filled with surfers. It was sort of like a hippy resort with people from all around the world only caring about the surf and living life. After staying there for a night we drove along the gorgeous Garden Route towards Tsitsikamma National Park. We unloaded at another hostel and headed toward the bungee jump. If you ever want a good laugh I will show you my bungee jump video... very embarrassing. After that we went back and I explored Storm River, the town where we were staying. The next day we ventured to Tsitsikamma and hiked for over 3 hours on the rocky coastal line. This was the most stunning place my eyes have ever captured (maybe a close tie with Denali, Alaska but for different reasons). Pictures can't even justify the beauty but I hope you look at them anyway. We hiked back to a waterfall and went swimming and jumped off of it. Unfortunately, the adventure came to a close and classes began yesterday, on Valentines Day. That was not as exciting but very stressful. Nothing that I will bore you with but just state that I am thankful for the system we have in place at my home university even though at times that seems unorganized. I hope to keep you guys updated as much as possible but it is kind of difficult. I think of everyone often and wish you could share the experience with me. I already feel changed, more grown up and it has only been 2 weeks! I hope everyone has a wonderful week and that you all do something to get out of your comfort zone, go talk to a stranger, eat by yourself, or try a different food. Just enjoy the experience.
                                                         Sincerely,
                                                             Becca

Meet Coleen! My housemate from Jamaica! She lived there the first 12 years of her life and now lives in Florida. It doesn't matter what I am doing or saying she is always laughing at me! Which laughter is always welcomed to keep a smile on. She doesn't really like to cook either but we will figure something out. Tonight, a group of about 7 are having a bri (cookout) and everyone is bringing something. I'm in charge of the vegetables so that shouldn't be too difficult!

Meet Bridget! My first friend! Actually, we had every flight together so it worked out well! She is great, we are training to run a marathon together at the end of May. She has the goal of running a marathon on every continent! She and I are hoping to buy bikes soon so that we don't have to walk everywhere.

They say there is a drought but I haven't really seen it because it is raining again today. I woke up at about 6:30 to go for a run with Bridget and then we went to campus to look into Afrikaans. I'm still debating on whether to take it or not. It doesn't really fit into my schedule and the pronunciation is tough. I came back to my place to see my bed made, the floor vacuumed, bathroom cleaned, and the dishes done! It was a lovely surprise! I guess they come once a week to clean up. Coleen says it takes them a total of 7 mins because they are so fast. I am adjusting to the time. Everyone and everything is late here. I rarely know what time it is and look forward to getting into a routine with classes. I feel like it doesn't really matter what you wear here, there are so many different styles and lots of diversity (which works out well since we only have a mirror big enough to see our eyeballs). I have been doing pretty well with the homesickness. Immensely better then when I went away to school for the first time. It helps that everything is completely new and that even going to the store is an adventure! I would love to hear how things are back home so please keep me updated on your lives!
                love,
                    Becca 

Hello from Africa!

Hello from Africa!
 Sorry it has taken so long to blog, but TIA (this is Africa) and internet is sparse. Life is good, lots of unexpected events, but good none the less. Stepping off the plane, I was welcomed by a cool refreshing breeze and the smell of the ocean! We stayed at a hotel, woke up, dropped off our things at Annie's Cove, had ten mins to pack, and were on our way to bush camp. Bush camp was crazy! A few things we did included- zip lining, canoeing, military crawling through mud, night hiking, and praying for our tents to not be washed away during the storms. All in all adventurous and exhausting with trying to recover from jet lag. I went swimming in the ocean yesterday! We saw dolphins and BEAUTIFUL landscape. This week is lots of orientation, figuring out the African system, and making friends. Things are so different here. Even obtaining electricity is strange. You have to go to a gas station, buy a card, then put it on your meter back at your place. Updates will be difficult because the nearest internet place is a 40 min. walk away and it isn't too safe to be walking around with a laptop. Annie's Cove, where I stay, is very cool with lots of small houses, filled with international students, and a pool in the middle. Everyone is amazingly friendly! Actually, I'm going surfing tomorrow with a guy I met at a rugby game. The campus is huge with monkeys just walking about. We are at an internet cafe now and will be here for a while since it is pouring out. Today we registered for classes and went on a campus tour. The campus is pretty and very big with a north and south campus. There is such a jungle/African feel to it with the trees and monkeys. I am really excited for my classes! One class is volunteering in a township. I will be working at an orphanage with children who have aids and/or have been abused by their parents and abandoned. It should be challenging for my heart but I can't wait to help. Hope everyone is enjoying the chilly weather, I'm sitting in a tank top and shorts now! I love you and miss you all! cheers!
                                                           love,
                                                                 Becca
p.s. most people call me Rebecca here because I guess Becca means "turn around."