Umm....yeah. So we actually wrote this blog a month ago but never posted it (and we thought we were bad at blogging then). Anyway, this should fill you in up to a month ago. We promise to blog again later this week updating you on the last month. Sorry!
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So as the title of this blog post should indicate, we recognize our failure to update this blog in over a month. And, so much has happened in this past month that it’s impossible to adequately summarize in one post. But we will try nonetheless.
A month ago we went to Pretoria for a week of training. This was our midway training and it was a great chance to catch up with all our friends in our training class. One of the highlights of the week in Pretoria was that we went to our first rugby game. We got to see a Super 14 match (which is the elite league that features the top teams in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand). The team from Pretoria thrashed the defending league champs from Australia, so it was a great experience. Now we just need to go to a soccer match to experience the other major sport in South Africa. Cricket is also big here, but no thanks.
At the end of training we went to the half marathon that we’d been fundraising for. It was a lot of fun and there were about 75 PCV’s (peace corps volunteers) at the race. Together we booked all the beds in a Backpackers (hostel), and after the race we were treated to a huge feast that was prepared by a dozen PCV’s who didn’t run or walk in the race. As for the race itself, Matt got first place among all volunteers ..... who were not in shape to run it. He crossed the finish line in a blazing 3:05. Sara finished an entire hour earlier. The best part about the weekend is the fact that as a group, all PCV’s raised over $20,000. This money will send two disadvantaged children to one of the best schools in Southern Africa and will pay all their expenses from grades 7 until 12. Thank you everyone who supported us, and it’s nice to be a part of something that will truly make a positive and tangible impact in the lives of two children.
After the race weekend, we travelled with our friends Will and Rachael to Cape Town for a little over a week. Cape Town was, in a word, awesome. We went to Table Mountain the first day in the city, and the views were breathtaking. Then we spent a couple nights in wine country and spent a full day wine-tasting at various vineyards. Later in the week we had the sobering experience of visiting Robben Island, and we were fortunate to have a tour guide who had actually spent seven years on the island as a political prisoner. All throughout the week we enjoyed delicious foods, including the best Mexican food we’ve found in South Africa on Easter Sunday. Perhaps the best part of Cape Town was just the feeling of being in a city with a vibrant culture. We often commented to each other that Cape Town felt like a mix between San Diego and San Francisco. All in all, it was a great trip and we are so glad we went.
Now we’ve been back at site for a little less than three weeks. The second term is underway at school, and we are back in the swing of things. Recently, we have befriended an eighth grader whose mom works at the hospital. Her name is Wandy and she comes to our house basically every day. If she wasn’t such a great kid it would probably be annoying, but fortunately we enjoy her company.
April 27th is a national holiday commemorating the 1994 elections, so we are now relaxing and having the benefit of a nice long weekend.
