The Seaview Lion Park – (the place where we could pet the baby lions)

{ the lion and the calf will lay down together, but that calf won't get much sleep } - Woody Allen

     --- photos by: Bridget




So pretty much I came to South Africa so I could pet and hold a baby lion… ok well maybe for other reasons as well. But it was something I HAD TO DO! There was a large group of us who wanted to go so we decided to call a bus company and take a 22-passenger bus out to Seaview – a small town with nothing but some shacks and maybe a store or 2 (I felt at home!) haha

We finally rolled into the lion park and on the way to the lions we saw dear looking things (some sort of Springboks) and a couple of giraffe. It was fun to see a giraffe in the wild – they were just eating the tops of trees. It was also entertaining to watch everyone in the bus – all taking pictures and leaning out of the window. Oh Americans.

When we arrived we walked around and saw all the adult lions in cages (they had double caging which made picture taking a bit difficult). I wanted to jump over, at least the first fence but decided against that after seeing barbed wire and an electric wire. So I stood on the outside like a normal spectator and watched the lions. Sundays are feeding days at the Park so the lions were very active and hungry. Right before the feeding (which we were hoping was going to be a live feeding… and it wasn’t ) we saw a couple of the lions attacking each other. More like playing I guess but at that point I was glad I was not in the cage with them.

As the feeding time was nearing more and more people came to watch. I was with a small group and we had decided that we wanted to head up to see the baby ones as soon as the feeding was done, in order to beat all of the others. As we waited for the feedings to get to the pen we were standing at, we got impatient and decided that the babies were way more important. So we climbed up a huge hill on a dirt road and made it to the little café and pens where the smaller lions were kept. There we ordered food (may I add before all the other people, which was good because we were starving) and went and played with the babies. To bad they had just eaten and it was naptime. But it was still amazing to get to touch them and feel their paws. It was a rather large baby kitty. However, I think they are cuter than cats. After that we ate our lunch. I had a pineapple, ham and cheese sandwich thing. Anything with pineapple - sign me up!

After lunch we went into the other lion pen with the almost one year old lions. They were huge. We got to take pictures with them (most of them were asleep). We stayed near the alpha male for a while as he was sleeping – which I guess they sleep about 18 hours a day.. so the chance of catching them awake is kind of slim. Then he woke up and starting licking himself (pretty much all they do other than eat and sleep!). I found out that when they are full grown that their tongues are so rough that they can just lick meat off of the bone. I decided to feel the tongue – yup they are right it is pretty rough. One time, when my hand was close to his mouth, he decided to put my hand inside of his mouth. The lady told me not to put my hand in the lion’s mouth and I said “no he grabbed it.” I just slowly pulled it out. Luckily he hadn’t put much pressure but I definitely felt teeth!

After almost getting eaten by a lion, I was talking to a friend, Michael, who had ridden there with a South African family. He told me that they got to see a zebra and giraffe up close and showed the pictures. I was on mission. No way could I let this guy have cooler pictures of Melman and Marty than me! So I went and talked to Jan – who had rented a car and drove there – and asked if he would drive me around the park so I could find a zebra. He was willing to take me after he had finished eating. I was a little impatient so I helped him with his milkshake! (:

Jan, Patrick, Theresa, and I all jumped into the car to find the animals. Theresa has a nice camera like mine (we are the two artsy ones in the group). We first saw the giraffes. They were so close to our car. Of course I had to get out of the car to get pictures, which I don’t think I was supposed to do. Oh well, they seemed pretty harmless and they were. I am still alive. Then we kept driving because I was determined to see a zebra. I love them. We drove and drove and finally I saw one. So we crept around the corner and there they were - two zebras standing in the shade. I got out of the car (again) and started to get really close, hoping that they were as nice as Marty on Madagascar. Since that is pretty much all I know about zebras (from a kids movie). I got pretty close and was of course snapping away. Then I gave my camera to Theresa to take one of me close to them, I should have tried to touch it, but I guess I'm not as brave as Nemo!

The day was complete. I got to see Alex the lion, Melman the giraffe, and Marty the zebra. Now I just have to see an elephant and a water buffalo (which I think I might have but I am not for sure) and then I will have seen the big 5! Pretty much Africa ROCKS. That is all I have to say about that adventure. Oh and also that I maybe want to work at that lion park sometime. The volunteers get to hold and feed the baby lions and even burp them. I guess the mom does it in the wild – she licks them from the belly up to the neck… so interesting. Seaview was a success, if you get a chance you should visit. It was fun to see the lions up close, although they are in cages I think they are taken care of and fed well.

Walking.. walking.. walking oh wait - more walking

So here in South Africa - walking seems to be one of the main events of my day! I walk to class almost everyday (which takes 25 minutes there and 25 minutes back). Then I walk to Annie's Cove most days which is another 15 minute walk one way. Then I sometimes walk down to Friends or Pick-N-Pay, which is a 20-25 minute walk one way. And then to do laundry or to go to Spar (the other grocery store) it is a 15 or so minutes walk one way. So if I were to do that all in one day it would be about 160 minutes or like 2 and a half hours. This doesn't even include all the walking around campus and the occasional walks that I take to the beach. 


So... since walking seems to take up a good chunk of my day I decided to buy a bicycle along with other people in the group. So I finally got my bike last week but then they didn't deliver the lock because they were out of them. So my bike has been sitting in my lawn for the past few days and has only been ridden once when I brought it back from Annies. Welp the tire is already flat. They have the same deadly thorn things that New Mexico has. So the plan is for the bike people to put in some stuff that will hopefully keep it aired up on Monday and then they will also bring the bike lock. So hopefully on Monday my bike will have aired up tires, a lock and the seat raised (oh the joy of being huge and having really long legs). Then the walking with hopefully be minimized and I will be cruising with speed :)

First weekend in PE

P.E. beach

The Boardwalk, a casino, shop, eating place - pretty much the disney land of africa with out the rides!

We learned how to drum at the boardwalk.. I don't have my brothers talents.. let's just say that!

ICE CREAM :)

This weekend has been great filled with lots of hanging out and getting to know people. Friday morning I went to the stained glass class (that I will sort of be taking but not getting any credit for). The teacher, Amanda, is a sweet lady and is so willing to teach and help me figure out stained glass. I met a couple of lovely ladies from South Africa in that class as well! Friday I also had to walk my 8 kilo (conversion: a crap ton) of laundry a few blocks to Spar so that I could have that done. They do it for you here, which is kind of nice but also a bit different. But hey not complaining because they also fold it! I think I paid somewhere around 47 Rand – which is about 7 dollars.

Friday night we hung out at Barney’s – the bar down on the beach. It was way to crowded for me so I went downstairs to the old mans shop that helped Breana (my roommate) and I will Peanut – the dog we found and returned to the owner. He is a lovely old man with ‘the best burger in town’ he says. He also has ice cream. – which makes me want to live there. After Barneys people decided they wanted to try out Captains – another local bar down the street. So a large group of us girl + Shawn walked to Captains. When we got there I felt so out of place. Most of us stuck out like a sore thumb. We were all white and they were all black. It didn’t bother me to much until I saw some super drunk people stumbling around and some yelling was going on. Yikes. This girl is from Iowa and is not used to this! I wanted out but I stayed with the group and we decided to not go in when it cost 50 Rand to get in. Thank goodness – so after a quick trip to McDonalds (ah something more familiar) we took a cab home. I slept like a baby!

Saturday I went down to get my phone fixed and working. I FINALLY bought a phone and then it didn’t even work. I decided I needed to get it because on Thursdays I have class at 7:45. I have been doing good on getting up early or when I need to by just telling myself (thanks for that dad). Also the sun comes up around 5:30 or 6 – and it is intense let me tell you! So on Wednesday I went into CNA and bought the cheapest phone they had (which was 169 Rand) not to bad and it has a radio. So I was super excited. She took all my information, passport, address ect. And told me they would SMS (text) me and then it should start working. So I waited and waited and nothing happened that day or the next, so I decided on Friday to try to take it to Spar when I was taking my laundry to see if the phone place up there could help – no luck. So Saturday it was. I walked down to the shops and finally got it working! Finally a phone – not sure if it is a good or a bad thing. Now people can actually get ahold of me and I will have to respond to them. Haha

Saturday was also a day for the beach. The weather was perfect. So Nadine (my roommate from Germany) and I went down to the beach and met up with a ton of international students. It was so fun to lay out and watch surfers and the waves crash the shore. Ahh paradise!

First week of classes

So the first week went well. I don’t think my classes this term are going to be too hard. But we will see! I have South African Post-Apartheid history and Xhosa Culture. I am excited for both of them. There are a few of us international students that are taking both of these classes. So hopefully we can help each other out (and you know maybe cheat off of each other – haha just kidding). I learned cheating was bad back in 5^th Grade when I did it and then had to call my teacher and tell her that I cheated – scarred for life.

Tuesday night we went over to a few of the Germans place (Theresa and Julia) for a Braai. They live right next to Annie’s Cove. There ended up being around 20 some people there and the food was delicious. Germans know how to cook and better yet they know how to eat. That night was great and afterwards I had to get walked home. Poor Scott – he always has to walk me home! It is not safe here to walk alone. Esp as a girl and at night, which stinks because that means I always have to rely on someone to walk me when I am hanging out with people at Annie’s.

Thursday night was so fun. We all went to a club called Beliza and danced for hours. It is a little bit nicer bar – so everyone dressed up. It even had poles, which were fun to watch the guys mess around on. This group is a fun one for sure. Patrick was by far all of our favorite to watch. I definitely want to go back there again! On the way home we smashed 6 people into on cab – you are only supposed to have 5.. and the taxi drive kept saying ‘1,000 rand fine if you get caught’ And he wanted to shove me out on the side of the road since I don’t live at Annie’s Cove so I pretty much had to beg him to drive one more block – so that I didn’t have to walk along at one in the morning.

My experience with driving manual on the wrong side of the road in Africa:

The second night of our vacation (in the small town - Springs River - with one main street) a few of us decided to get some ice cream. So we drove into town and after sitting outside of the parlor with the blinking ELVIS sign (that by the way was so loud that even if you closed your eyes you could tell when it was changing – It was like we stepped back in time to the time when Greece (the movie) was made)! When it was time to go I through out the ider that I needed to learn how to drive stick.

So brave Patrick decided that was an ok idea and that he would sit shotgun. He coached me through the process.. getting it started and put into the right gear. He sat with one leg on my side so that he could help me with the clutch at the beginning. So I got it into reverse and got it to go a little and then stalled. Mind you I had a full car. Two girls and two guys.. the car was filled with laughter and talking and me freaking out!

1. I had only ever driven stick 2 times in my life. 2. I was on the wrong side of the car and road. 3. I was with 4 people that I had just met a week before. Have no fear despite the odds that were against me, I managed to get the car reversed and pull out on the correct side of the road (the left) and then got the car into first and second. I pulled into the hostel, proud that I had made it that far (like maybe a quarter of a mile). There was so much to think about I sometimes forgot to turn the wheel. I finally pulled into the parking spot (or started to) and I freaked out and then it staled. I got it restarted and finally got it pulled in with out hitting anything or anyone! I was so proud of myself and the people in the car were just thankful to be alive. That might be the only time that either of those guys attempt to teach me to drive stick. Maybe I can find someone else to do it! I want to get good at it.. you know just in case I ever need to drive here in Africa or I guess anywhere in the world but America!

First weekend trip: (Feb. 11 – Feb. 13)

Jeffery's Bay.

Zip Lining.

A group of 9 of us rented two cars and took off for Jeffery’s Bay on Friday morning. One car was driven by Scott (an Air Force dude from Wisconsin) and the other by Patrick (a dude from Chicago area) with both filled with the rest of us girls, Shawn and our stuff. The two cars were very different – one was luxurious with AC, automatic windows and a nice body! haha The other didn’t have those things and at first we didn’t even think that it had reverse – until one of the Irish guys showed us Americans how to work the car. I just know they were thinking ‘stupid Americans.’

Of course I decided to go for the nice car and to take shotgun – Patrick drove and Alyssa and Sarah were in the back. We followed the crappy blue car with Scott, Shawn, Chelsea, Bridget, and Becca. We rolled up to J-Bay, got our of our car and started to change in the parking lot but then decided maybe we should just try to find our accommodation (a nice hostel on the beach). We finally found it, parked the cars and decided to explore the town and get some lunch. Fish and chips were my choice and a very good one – hake was the fish. Of course the chips (fries) were awesome as well.

We got into our rooms and went out to explore the beach – for the next several hours we spent sitting around soaking up sun and loving our lives. Some were brave enough to get in the freezing water – this girl however not so much - just enough to get a couple fun pictures with the girls. That evening we drove into town, got lost for a little while, had a nice lady show us were the restaurant was that we were trying to find, got some great Greek food and then went to bed happy once back at the hostel. Most of us slept well the whole night – the boys had a bit of an interruption but that story is for another time! We were able to wake up that morning right as the sun was rising – It was gorgeous but I wish I could have been up just a little sooner.

That day we hoped back in the car to head to our next destination – the bungee jump place (apparently the largest commercial one in the world). We first stopped by our hostel in a Podunk town (Storms River) which was found by our car (the silver one) without a good map.. point for us. Four people bungee jumped (Patrick, Bridget, Sarah, and Becca – well she kind of did it.. mostly she was pushed)! Watching was even a little scary for me. Seriously there is no way I could have done it. I would have freaked right out.

After jumping was time for zip lining…. More of my style. We got all harnessed up and headed for the forest to ride on metal wires around trees, landing on platforms. It took about 2 hours to get through the course. We would take turns, one at a time getting hooked up to the line and then flying through the jungle like Tarzan. When we reached the other side the guy would tell us when to slow down (by pulling down on the wire behind your pulley) and if you didn’t in time they had a contraption that would slow you. But if you slowed to fast (Chelsea) then you would end up back in the middle of the line and have to pull yourself to the end.

At the platform we would get off the line and put onto a line that went around the tree to make sure we didn’t fall off the platform that was near the tops of the trees. Some of the trees we were on were around 500 years old! What the crap – I didn’t even know they could live that long. I guess things in Africa can’t really kill trees just small children and pets I guess.

That night was filled with laying in the hammock, sitting around a fire, watching the sun set, getting yelled at for climbing on the roof of the hostel (I just wanted to see the sun set and that was the highest point that I could find!) beating the locals at some foosball, watching the bungee jumpers take a bungee shot that was on fire, and getting a great nights sleep.

The next day we woke up kind of early (most of us wake up with the sun or soon after) and we got ready for our day of hiking. We found the Titsikamma National Park and began our hike to see the waterfall right near the ocean. The trail started out nicely – nice path through some grass with small hills.. something I could handle. Then the path led us onto massive rocks that we had to slowly make our way across. They would kindly place a bridge here and there but other than that we were pretty much rock climbing and hanging off cliffs at some points (or so it seemed). We learned no to follow wilderness, survival Scott. I decided I would find an easier way then listening to him.

I was at the back of the pack – of course and finally made it to the beautiful oasis. A few in the group were attempting to climb the rocks so they could jump off the waterfall into the pool of water. The lifeguard/mother in me did not like watching this even occur. But no one died – so it was all good. After pictures and such we started our trek back to the car. It seemed much faster on the way back (I think we found a better way then walking over the massive rocks like on the way there). Then we ran into a baby dear as we were nearing the end. When we finally reached the cars we got a slow clap from the expert hikers and people who love working out! I am a – ok with not being in that group. But I do like being in the group who eats ice cream or finds four-leaf clovers!

The ride home was a little long but we made it safely home to only head down to Friends and Pick-N-Pay for some Internet and food. It was a perfect time for me to get a watermelon and other heavy foods since we had A CAR! It was sad to see the car go. I loved the AC and the freedom that it brought and great times but having to pay for it - not as great (although it was pretty cheap compared to renting one in the States!)

What a great way to start off term 1 is South Africa.

South Africans

South African people are so laid back here, friendly and have no sense of time. But it is wonderful. I am starting to be the same way! I don’t have a phone or a watch so I never really know what time it is and no one can get a hold of me so I just do what I want! It was wonderful.

People say they will be with you now – which means that maybe in a few minutes – it does not mean that second! They use ‘now’ to describe everything. It is either ‘just now’ or ‘now now’ or ‘now’. They use ‘shame’ – which sort of means oh my, or oh no maybe. Fries are chips and chips are crisps. And you can tell who the Americans are because our faces are bright red and peeling off!

Orientation and hours spent at Friends

I spent the morning attempting to understand how to sign up for classes and remember where everything is on campus, at least the important things like where the Internet was located. It is so odd that Internet is so hard to come by… which is why when I go to Friends (the small café right near the grocery store – pick-n-pay) there are ALWAYS people I know. You can get Internet there as long as you buy something. So I usually get a drink for a dollar and sit there until my computer dies. I was there for about four and half hours because I met up with the girls from Annie’s Cove, the Irish guys, and a few other foreigners!

That night we crammed 6 of us into Pang’s cab car (I guess he is the one who is infamous with all International Students both past and present!) He was great and told me that he knew these roads ‘Like the back of his hand!’  And that he would be back ‘now’ to get us. They use ‘now’ to describe everything. It is either ‘just now’ or ‘now now’ or ‘now’. They use ‘shame’ – which sort of means oh my, or oh no maybe. Fries are chips and chips are crisps. And you can tell who the Americans are because our faces are bright red and peeling off!

Still no cell phone (they are out of the cheap ones) and no Internet at home but at least I can get it for fairly cheap at Friends! What a great title for that place – I have met so many people there, ones that I knew before and new people!

Bush Camp/Accommodation

My first weekend in South Africa was spent in the ‘bush’ of Africa – a place filled with thorns, monkeys, limited clean water, 50 Americans, a few from different countries and awesome counselors - Coach, Smiley, Mano, and Lu Lu.

It was hot, humid and rainy when we were there. They had about 3 inches of rain in about 3 hours! They have been in a drought for 2 years but of course it would rain when I had to sleep in a tent and spend all day outside. Despite the torrential downpour that was happening we kept playing outside – some did yoga , others rain around doing team building activities, some ran through the chocolate factory (aka mud pit) and then jumped in the river. I stayed outside for awhile trying to complete some tasks but then I stepped on a thorn right when lighting was striking and I decided that living was more important! Haha

We left drenched, dirty and on a wagon being pulled by a local on a tractor. Sixty of us were crammed and standing on this wagon (maybe something to carry fruit) being pulled out of camp! Flexibility was key when thorny branches were covering the road. Outside of camp we saw four little boys coming our way. They were bare foot, dirty and in ripped up clothing. The only English they knew was money.. but they did know how to hi-five and give thumbs up! Haha

After camp I was taken to my accommodation – I had been telling myself during bush camp that it was going to be amazing (knowing that it would probably not be judging on Annie’s Cove – what I had seen!) We pulled up and they told me to get out.. I was standing in front of a nice gray gate. I had to be in the wrong place.. but no they told me to go in and when I walked up the stairs and into the apartment, I was in shock. There was no way it was real. It looked like a 5 star hotel – ok well maybe that was because I had just spent the past two nights in a tent with flooded grounds from the rain, I smelled like poop and was exhausted!

I met my roommate Breana, and was showed to my room by the landlords June and Gail. They told me about the pool out back and Bri area (BBQ). It was spectacular and the shower I took never felt so good! I sat back drank some cool (still not ice cold but way colder than the hot/luke warm water I had been drinking for 2 days.) I was taken to the store to get food by June and was able to get on the Internet! AHHH zeee Internet! It was the first time in like 5 days. I am started to get good at being productive when I have it since I have to walk 20 minutes one way to connect! Haha

My travel experience to Africa

The snow/blizzard that was happening outside the train! Thank goodness I still made it there despite the feet of snow that was piling up everywhere :)




I woke up on the morning of Feb. 2nd with my bags all packed and ready to go to only find out that the warnings about the blizzard were real! So I called my travel agent and she said that my flight that I was supposed to be catching the next day was already cancelled. So we frantically started trying to figure out how I could possibly get to DC in time to catch my 5:40 flight for the next day. My dad decided to look up Amtrak and found one of the last 2 tickets for a train that would get me into DC at 1:10 the day of my flight to Jo-burg South Africa. It was perfect (or so we thought). I got on the train to head to Chicago, said goodbye to the fam and I was on my way for the adventure of my life. It seemed like it was going to work... I got on my train to DC from Union Station with out to much of a problem. My arms hurt so bad after lugging my 70 pounds of stuff around by myself. We started moving and right after we got out of Union Station we sat for about an hour. The blizzard was intense and I was so glad I wasn't out in it. I spent the night on the train and was able to talk to my family and a friend for a while to help pass the time! 

After a pretty good nights rest I woke up to find out that the train was 5 hours behind and that I was going to have to get off the train on to a bus to hopefully be able to make it to DC before my flight left. When all of this was happening my mom had been talking to her family out there. It turns out it is a great thing to have a huge family who know people. So her one cousin (or however the relation) new a taxi driver - well one who drove a really nice suburban! And so he can to pick me up at DC Union Station after I finally arrived there after a 4.5 hour bus ride with a bunch of old people. Mike (the taxi driver) picked me and Steve (another cousin) to head to the airport. It was 3 when we left the station and I was at the airport a little before 4. So I ran inside, got my bags checked and headed to find my gate! I had made it :) ahhhhhh.. relief. It had been one crazy couple of days but I was going to be on the flight to South Africa at last!

The flight was long but it was nice after we stopped in Dakar because lots of people got off and not many got back on. So I had 3 seats to myself to stretch out on and pass out from my stressful 2 day travel experience. I felt so much better after I woke up on the plane with only a couple hours to Jo-burg.

After 20 some hours on a train, 4.5 on a bus and 20+ hours on a plane I finally had arrived in Port Elizabeth, South Africa! My new home for the next 5 months.