Ok so the transfer went great! He literally walked right up the ramp and into the bucky...a small covered truck bed. No coaxing or anything! truly amazing! Alana sat in the back with him and i sat up front handing her things if she needed them. She probably needed a new nose because he let loose a few nice ones...haha! So rank! haha He easily went straight into his new enclosure. He is loving it. He is free to run, play, go in and out as he pleases. Today was great watching him play. He was so excited. Truly brought and smile and tears to my face just to see him finally happy, much happier than before in his small padded room. I am going to miss my new friends though, but glad this boy is happy. Maybe we are on the upslope. Please pray for this guy. Poor thing's suture ripped through a bit of his anus and has a truly sore bum and so much tummy troubles. Pray he gets better and that he keeps his bum in.
I am going to get side tracked real fast to tell a story about what happened to me yesterday. The cute rhino and I had a great day yesterday. He was nice and relaxed. Only a few temper tantrums, causing me to climb on top of the fence. Well yesterday I decided to wear one of my jeans. I guess at some point when I was siting on top of the fences I ripped my jeans. Right on the bum...did I notice? nope. I only noticed when I sat on this plastic thing once we were indoors a few hours later. It was really cold. I reached down and discovered the hole.......I had been around cute future vet men, other spectators around to see the rhino, and many more people. A lot of the time I had to bend down to get things.......i could of died. It a good thing we left this morning. ha.
So here is really nice. I am glad to be back. THe bush is much better than the city. We are literally sitting with the rhino in his enclosure when a hear of Elands come out of the bush to eat. A big bull, females, and a baby...of course the moment I don't have my camera. But its amazing and different animals keep showing up. Pesky monkeys are everywhere. Staring, fighting, just being obnoxious. Everyone here can't stand them because they are so "naughty" they say. Arrie says, "those freakin' monkeys." I can't help but think they are cute. This place, their farm is magnificent. Truly. Even on the drive here we saw vlakvark (warthogs), Elands, Kudu, and baboons just near the street. Amazing.
I have night duty tonight. Its a bit different here than at the hospital...since it pretty much outside. I mean I have these walls...a gate...but the cold still gets in and all the sounds the monkeys and other animals are making. Its pretty cool...but I have to admit a bit scary. Don't worry mom, Im literally 20 yards from their house, which is surrounded by a guarded gate....I am very safe. Its kind of like camping, but with a rhino and heat lamps. Oh, I also forgot to mention that my neighbors, meaning in the next room, and many other room surrounding mine is where they keep the snakes...oh yeah...my favorite. And not just a few...lots...from small corn snakes to huge pythons...Ryan...the snake guy, I would like to thank for that. I came here knowing snakes would be here and prepared to attempt to face the fear I have...this is a bit fast...eek!!! Nasty things. I made sure that there was NO WAY they could get in my room, and they can't so Ill be ok. Icky things,
I miss my mom, dad, family, and friends. Emma, Daisy, and Sadie, and of course Duckie and Ziva. I can't what to see them soon, but this is a trip and experience of a lifetime and I am having a blast...now as week speak, silly boy has decided to use my foot as a face scratcher! haha siwy boy. I wish you all could see him, hopefully soon I can get pictures up!
Leke slob(have a nice night)
Cheers.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
New Day!
Had another great day with the boy! He threw a few temper tantrums but made up for them with lots of loving a kisses. We got good news today! We are going back tomorrow morning! This is bittersweet for me. I know this rhino will be much better there, here its like a zoo. People stop all the time to ask questions and take pictures. He's celebrity. But there is also so much noise of others things going on. Loud cars, construction, and much more. When he gets back he will have his own space where he can decide when he wants to go out or come in. Here we decide. He will have nice grass instead of this room, with padded walls(which makes me feel like I am in an insane hospital, all I need is a straight jacket) and not have rubber on the ground outside. We had to put that in his pen outside because he kept eating the stinking dirt! Silly boy!
Im ready to get out of this small room, but its really sad. I have made great friends here. Some wonderful people. I have only got to spend a short while with them but their presence will never be forgotten...of course because we have Facebook!!! haha
He will still need 24 hour care, so this Rhino can't get rid of me that easily! Today when Alana and I was moving him from his indoor room to his outdoor pen, he decided to run.......and run......and explore. He wasn't at all interested in his milk, stubborn boy! Boeke!! he would say! Come here boy!!...nope...hes a black rhino, he doesn't have to listen to us, and he made that point clear. After sitting there and letting him explore he finally decided ok I'll go in the pen now! whew!He then realized he was trapped and threw a royal tantrum. Even though he is ramming you with his brute strength and strong horn you can't help but laugh. He is just so cute. He calmed down a bit a decided to play. For some reason, he's interested in shoes. Loves them, my toms however are a toy. He enjoys charging at them..of course I charge back and we play a little fun game. Today he also played in his pool. One of the vet students brought in a doggie pool...I think we are in fact raising a Hippo not a rhino because he loves it. He blows bubbles, kicks his feet(although only 3 feet). One time his 4th foot came in the pool and he had a hissy! He let out a squeal and let us have it for like 30 minutes.
His squeals are seriously the cutest thing...well equal to Emma's bark of course. He lets out these whimpers and people wonder, "is that coming from him?" indeed it is! haha Poor thing is confused. He thinks he's a human, a hippo and a mouse! He "talks" when he's hungry, uncomfortable, has a tummy ache, wants to go inside, and so much more. He just is all around cute, even his bum. You should also see his face when he urinates...priceless. It is the face of utter relief and bliss! I love it!
This boy is smarter than perceived. I think he likes to pull pranks. He literally pees like 4 liters at once! It is insane! We try to catch it in this pitcher when he is in the room. Ive gotten quite good at telling, but sometimes he will throw a curveball. He will squat to go, we run over and he will then just lay down. We will then sit down or turn our heads and bam! he's peeing! hahahahahaha Sometimes he will fill up one jug and we will carefully transfer another. This takes great skill and speed, if not(i know this from experience as will as many others here) that if you don't get it just right you will end up with a face full of urine! Excellent! haha
Since my room reaks of mold now, I slept with Alana in the Rhinos room. Alana slept on the bales of hay with a mattress on it and i slept on the cusion with the rhino by my side. LOVED IT!!! He would wake he up by getting a nice taste of my face with his cute little lips! haha love his lips!! He is seriously easy to love, he has definitely got me wrapped around is little horn!
Ok I'm off to cuddle with him now!
Cheers for now!
Im ready to get out of this small room, but its really sad. I have made great friends here. Some wonderful people. I have only got to spend a short while with them but their presence will never be forgotten...of course because we have Facebook!!! haha
He will still need 24 hour care, so this Rhino can't get rid of me that easily! Today when Alana and I was moving him from his indoor room to his outdoor pen, he decided to run.......and run......and explore. He wasn't at all interested in his milk, stubborn boy! Boeke!! he would say! Come here boy!!...nope...hes a black rhino, he doesn't have to listen to us, and he made that point clear. After sitting there and letting him explore he finally decided ok I'll go in the pen now! whew!He then realized he was trapped and threw a royal tantrum. Even though he is ramming you with his brute strength and strong horn you can't help but laugh. He is just so cute. He calmed down a bit a decided to play. For some reason, he's interested in shoes. Loves them, my toms however are a toy. He enjoys charging at them..of course I charge back and we play a little fun game. Today he also played in his pool. One of the vet students brought in a doggie pool...I think we are in fact raising a Hippo not a rhino because he loves it. He blows bubbles, kicks his feet(although only 3 feet). One time his 4th foot came in the pool and he had a hissy! He let out a squeal and let us have it for like 30 minutes.
His squeals are seriously the cutest thing...well equal to Emma's bark of course. He lets out these whimpers and people wonder, "is that coming from him?" indeed it is! haha Poor thing is confused. He thinks he's a human, a hippo and a mouse! He "talks" when he's hungry, uncomfortable, has a tummy ache, wants to go inside, and so much more. He just is all around cute, even his bum. You should also see his face when he urinates...priceless. It is the face of utter relief and bliss! I love it!
This boy is smarter than perceived. I think he likes to pull pranks. He literally pees like 4 liters at once! It is insane! We try to catch it in this pitcher when he is in the room. Ive gotten quite good at telling, but sometimes he will throw a curveball. He will squat to go, we run over and he will then just lay down. We will then sit down or turn our heads and bam! he's peeing! hahahahahaha Sometimes he will fill up one jug and we will carefully transfer another. This takes great skill and speed, if not(i know this from experience as will as many others here) that if you don't get it just right you will end up with a face full of urine! Excellent! haha
Since my room reaks of mold now, I slept with Alana in the Rhinos room. Alana slept on the bales of hay with a mattress on it and i slept on the cusion with the rhino by my side. LOVED IT!!! He would wake he up by getting a nice taste of my face with his cute little lips! haha love his lips!! He is seriously easy to love, he has definitely got me wrapped around is little horn!
Ok I'm off to cuddle with him now!
Cheers for now!
Thursday, June 28, 2012
FINALLY INTERNET
Hello everyone! I finally have internet...slow and limited but its internet! I am not the most technological person here on this planet, but I have to say I have never been so excited for simple internet.
Thanks dad for posting and keeping everyone updated as best as you could since our communication hasn't been the best either.
I want to first say I have completely fallen in love. He is a black rhino, which is a rare species of rhino and are very close to extinction, but to top it off he is a even more rare subspecies Bicornis bicornis. He is a desert black rhino. He is from a herd with an abundant amount of bulls. This caused his mother's milk to dry up, forcing him to fend for himself and eat anything he can...which mostly was sand. This caused a rectal prolapse...someone called an said that there was a baby rhino roaming by himself with something hanging from his bum. When they brought him back he continued to prolapse 2 more times. He now a sutures to hold his rectum in. He has learned when he defecates (poof,poo in Africaans) to bring it back in. Without the sutures though it wouldn't stay in.
This precious boy takes 24 hour care. Three of us, Arrie's (who actually is my boss) wife, Alana (another girl from America who is amazing) and I rotate 12 hour shifts. Karen, who is actually a famous wildlife expert here in South Africa comes during the day to help out. These people are fantastic. I can not express it enough. Their love for animals, especial this Swart Rhinosteer (black Rhino in Africaans...which i may be spelling wrong) is truly amazing. We have become great friends, and also have made some others here at the animal hospital. Rita, oh my...she is so hilarious. She seriously cracks me up. She is so sweet but will rag you so hard and I love it. She has taught me so much about this amazing country's culture and some Africaans. She, as well as all the others, get a big hoot at us silly americans trying to say their words. Also, Sunai who is amazing as well, Marsha, Steven, Sharlene, Gustav, Johan, and many more. All these people are either vets or studying to be one.
Me, Rita, Sunai, and Alana. Rita and Sunai took us to lunch for a nice break! Buy one get one free rib burgers(they LOVE meat here, chips(fries) and onion rings
Chris and Joanne's Company
Roamy, The Rhino Force Rhino that travels the country, the gave me a mini one
Chris, Me, and Joanne (sweetest people)
One of my legs after only 2 days
The Rhino is a big star here. Everyone is so interested in him, as they should be. He is unbelievable. Black Rhino are known for their aggression...our shins can prove it. One moment he's laying there, with his head on your lap while you stroke him and the next he gets up and starts ramming you with this little, yet hard and extremely valuable, horn. He always seems to find the same spots. My shins are seriously black and blue. He pitches some royal fits. Ha. He has now discovered that even though he is only 3 months that he could easily take us...ANA(ouch). That all I can say to describe it. He has bent the gate trying to escape. People say that rhino are not the most intelligent animals. That may be...but this guy is pretty smart.
Despite the exhaustion, sore body, the retched smell of his poof, he is the most amazing creature. (I'm tearing up typing this...so silly) He has been through so much. Taken from his mother, been through and still suffering with pain, colic, and just utter discomfort. He's a fighter. The little noise he makes, the consistant urge to be near someone as he sleeps and the beautiful and hilarious personality has stolen my heart. I wish I could share the millions of pictures and videos I have of him, but due to the disgusting, scum of the earth poachers I can not right now. It might give away his location, but soon hopefully they said I can have clearance, once we are away from this hospital I will be able to post them.
Now, Its hard to post all of this in one post, but I'll continue to post things regularly now that I can. Its hard to type this past 2 weeks in one sitting. But I must share a story...as you know I was without luggage for a while. Bad luck. In this past week, I have had urine splashed in my face so many times, poof all over me, applied local anesthetic to his poor bum, had internet and calling troubles, having to rewear clothes that have poof and urine all over it again and again, gone into the lions food freezer with dead animals(Zebras,sorry Meghan, Kudu, baby and adult Vlakvark, and much much more), stayed in this hospital with poor crying little puppies and kitties, horses, lambs, and squealing pigs with disturbing injuries...if I had any sort of a queasy stomach its now completely gone. But the past 2 days has really taken the cake. So two days ago, on Tuesday night we came to find the water wasn't working. I have honey, urine and poof all over me...but I can't take a shower. I go to bed anyway and wake up to shower...Alana was able to get a little bit of water, but me...NONE! So wednesday, I'm going along with no shower waiting to hear that the waters back on so I can remove this stinky nasty off me...but nope, no water...a pipe had busted. I had the night shift on Wednesday night so I had to stay with him during the night. So now I have double stank all over me. I get a text from Arrie's wife saying the water was back on at 9pm...I couldn't leave the Rhino so I said that Ill just take one in the morning after my shift is over at 7am. She arrives at 7 saying that she thinks my shower is on...she heard the water running from my room. I was like oh great, but looked on the bright side and thought, well the shower is just waiting on me...I was sadly wrong. When I get back, I open my door...the shower decided to clean my entire room and all my clothes. The steam from the shower...which I guess was on full blast heat for 12 hours, has soaked the floor, the walls, the ceiling, the counters, my bed and all my clothes. I heard a knock at the door, a cleaning lady was there. WHen I opened the door, the fire alarm in the entire building started going off. She said "what is going on, water is running down the outside of the building." I explained everything to her, removed everything from my room into dear sweet sleepy Alana's room where I am now...still stinky. Don't know if I will have to get another room or what but geez. This kind of stuff only happens to me. I am now waiting on the alarm to stop ringing, a new towel to be brought to me so I can finally take a much needed shower in Alana'a shower. And to think I was going to come back, shower and take a nice nap...nope God had a different plan...I can't help but laugh at it now, smelling myself.
Thank you all for being patient and will post more soon. Im going to try to post other pictures soon. Thank you all and I miss you all very much. Biye Danke! (Many Thanks) Leke Dag! (have a nice day)
ps. keep in mind I may be spelling these Afrikaans words wrong, I know how to say them but I have not had a need to type them, so bear with me.
Naughty Monkey stealing food at Arrie's wild animal farm
Joanne took me to get my nails done before going to the bush
Chris and Joanne's Siamese Cat
Sweet Molly, Chris and Joanne's Golden
Buffel-Buffalo
Vlarkvarka-warthogs
Kudu skull-one of the lion's kill
Mommy and baby White rhino
Thanks dad for posting and keeping everyone updated as best as you could since our communication hasn't been the best either.
I want to first say I have completely fallen in love. He is a black rhino, which is a rare species of rhino and are very close to extinction, but to top it off he is a even more rare subspecies Bicornis bicornis. He is a desert black rhino. He is from a herd with an abundant amount of bulls. This caused his mother's milk to dry up, forcing him to fend for himself and eat anything he can...which mostly was sand. This caused a rectal prolapse...someone called an said that there was a baby rhino roaming by himself with something hanging from his bum. When they brought him back he continued to prolapse 2 more times. He now a sutures to hold his rectum in. He has learned when he defecates (poof,poo in Africaans) to bring it back in. Without the sutures though it wouldn't stay in.
This precious boy takes 24 hour care. Three of us, Arrie's (who actually is my boss) wife, Alana (another girl from America who is amazing) and I rotate 12 hour shifts. Karen, who is actually a famous wildlife expert here in South Africa comes during the day to help out. These people are fantastic. I can not express it enough. Their love for animals, especial this Swart Rhinosteer (black Rhino in Africaans...which i may be spelling wrong) is truly amazing. We have become great friends, and also have made some others here at the animal hospital. Rita, oh my...she is so hilarious. She seriously cracks me up. She is so sweet but will rag you so hard and I love it. She has taught me so much about this amazing country's culture and some Africaans. She, as well as all the others, get a big hoot at us silly americans trying to say their words. Also, Sunai who is amazing as well, Marsha, Steven, Sharlene, Gustav, Johan, and many more. All these people are either vets or studying to be one.
The Rhino is a big star here. Everyone is so interested in him, as they should be. He is unbelievable. Black Rhino are known for their aggression...our shins can prove it. One moment he's laying there, with his head on your lap while you stroke him and the next he gets up and starts ramming you with this little, yet hard and extremely valuable, horn. He always seems to find the same spots. My shins are seriously black and blue. He pitches some royal fits. Ha. He has now discovered that even though he is only 3 months that he could easily take us...ANA(ouch). That all I can say to describe it. He has bent the gate trying to escape. People say that rhino are not the most intelligent animals. That may be...but this guy is pretty smart.
Despite the exhaustion, sore body, the retched smell of his poof, he is the most amazing creature. (I'm tearing up typing this...so silly) He has been through so much. Taken from his mother, been through and still suffering with pain, colic, and just utter discomfort. He's a fighter. The little noise he makes, the consistant urge to be near someone as he sleeps and the beautiful and hilarious personality has stolen my heart. I wish I could share the millions of pictures and videos I have of him, but due to the disgusting, scum of the earth poachers I can not right now. It might give away his location, but soon hopefully they said I can have clearance, once we are away from this hospital I will be able to post them.
Now, Its hard to post all of this in one post, but I'll continue to post things regularly now that I can. Its hard to type this past 2 weeks in one sitting. But I must share a story...as you know I was without luggage for a while. Bad luck. In this past week, I have had urine splashed in my face so many times, poof all over me, applied local anesthetic to his poor bum, had internet and calling troubles, having to rewear clothes that have poof and urine all over it again and again, gone into the lions food freezer with dead animals(Zebras,sorry Meghan, Kudu, baby and adult Vlakvark, and much much more), stayed in this hospital with poor crying little puppies and kitties, horses, lambs, and squealing pigs with disturbing injuries...if I had any sort of a queasy stomach its now completely gone. But the past 2 days has really taken the cake. So two days ago, on Tuesday night we came to find the water wasn't working. I have honey, urine and poof all over me...but I can't take a shower. I go to bed anyway and wake up to shower...Alana was able to get a little bit of water, but me...NONE! So wednesday, I'm going along with no shower waiting to hear that the waters back on so I can remove this stinky nasty off me...but nope, no water...a pipe had busted. I had the night shift on Wednesday night so I had to stay with him during the night. So now I have double stank all over me. I get a text from Arrie's wife saying the water was back on at 9pm...I couldn't leave the Rhino so I said that Ill just take one in the morning after my shift is over at 7am. She arrives at 7 saying that she thinks my shower is on...she heard the water running from my room. I was like oh great, but looked on the bright side and thought, well the shower is just waiting on me...I was sadly wrong. When I get back, I open my door...the shower decided to clean my entire room and all my clothes. The steam from the shower...which I guess was on full blast heat for 12 hours, has soaked the floor, the walls, the ceiling, the counters, my bed and all my clothes. I heard a knock at the door, a cleaning lady was there. WHen I opened the door, the fire alarm in the entire building started going off. She said "what is going on, water is running down the outside of the building." I explained everything to her, removed everything from my room into dear sweet sleepy Alana's room where I am now...still stinky. Don't know if I will have to get another room or what but geez. This kind of stuff only happens to me. I am now waiting on the alarm to stop ringing, a new towel to be brought to me so I can finally take a much needed shower in Alana'a shower. And to think I was going to come back, shower and take a nice nap...nope God had a different plan...I can't help but laugh at it now, smelling myself.
Thank you all for being patient and will post more soon. Im going to try to post other pictures soon. Thank you all and I miss you all very much. Biye Danke! (Many Thanks) Leke Dag! (have a nice day)
ps. keep in mind I may be spelling these Afrikaans words wrong, I know how to say them but I have not had a need to type them, so bear with me.
If you have any questions just comment!
Cheers!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Hillary still has not gotten online.....here is hoping that she resolves it tomorrow. We are all looking forward to pics. She has a plan.
So Rhino, her new friend, is a black rhino calf. She is part of a team of caretakers that are working around the clock with him. He has been a sick boy, and her job is to feed and care for it, working 12 hour shifts. She reported the other night that he was sleeping with his head on her lap when she had the overnight shift. Tshwalo can be friendly and playful, but forgets he is a rhino, hence the bruises.
As you can imagine, she is enjoying her job.
So Rhino, her new friend, is a black rhino calf. She is part of a team of caretakers that are working around the clock with him. He has been a sick boy, and her job is to feed and care for it, working 12 hour shifts. She reported the other night that he was sleeping with his head on her lap when she had the overnight shift. Tshwalo can be friendly and playful, but forgets he is a rhino, hence the bruises.
As you can imagine, she is enjoying her job.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
New Bruises and New Friends
Hillary reports in that she is working hard. In some cases her job requires her to work overnight, like she is doing tonight. Her legs and shins are black and blue, but she exclaims "I love it". I must tell you she has made a new friend...Tschwalo. I am sure she will tell you more about him soon. He is a special boy.
Monday, June 18, 2012
MacBook Down, but all other systems go....
Hillary has still been unable to get a post for the blog with current communication issues. She hopes to have them resolved within the next couple of days. So instead Dad (me) will be posting updates until that is settled. So I apologize in advance.
She is doing fantastic and already has gotten settled down this weekend with her crew at Legends.
Pete (whom she borrowed his computer to Skype with her mom) is her immediate boss, best I can tell. Apparently, he is English and as you probably know Hillary, she is enchanted by the British accent. (She once said "my dad said I could be anything I choose to be...I choose to be British). So when she recants the stories from Pete, it is in her best brogue. (Ok, I know brogue is mostly associated with Scots, but I was going for aliteration...deal with it.) Hilarious. She makes me laugh.
Arrie(sp?) who is apparently very impressive, is the man who knows all. He is the big boss and is running the entire game area. Hillary will give you details, but I am already impressed.
Today was her official day of work. She worked the fence lines, helped fix a water trough, fed and cared for a variety of animals from lizards (bearded dragons who mistook her finger polish for a cricket), to water buffalo and giraffe. Too cool. She has gotten to meet the rescued lions that Arrie is rehabilitating for release into the wild. That is the ultimate objective, release into the wild. Oh yeah, and she ran across a lot of vlakvark....he new favorite word...look it up, it is Afrikaans. She is tired, but it seems to be all that she was hoping for and more.
Over the weekend, Hillary had gotten settled into her house and acclimated to the area. She went on a game drive and came upon a pride of Lions a few yards from her (not scary she said) and Rhino with her calf(?)(scary, with mom on full alert). She also watched Rugby match at some sort of pub where the Springboks took on England. (Reminder: Pete is English...ha). She met a woman from Brandon Florida...odd. She has made several new friends, which is odd because Hillary struggles with talking to people. (Note: that was sarcasm).
Oh, one last note on the team back in Johannesburg. She simply loves Joanne and her family. Her fiance' Chris is very protective and told her he was her South African dad, for which I am very grateful. Thanks much to Joanne, Chris and Cristo. The big news is that she is moving already. She leaves at 7am tomorrow (Tues) to go to work on a special project. If it all works out, it should be "best thing ever". Exciting. More to come on that and Hill will have to update you on it as it is appropriate. Very cool. Hillary will do a much better job of the details than I. Know this, she is well and she already has a lifetime of stories is less than a week. Thanks Uncle Blake. More to come. We are all looking forward to the pictures.
Pete (whom she borrowed his computer to Skype with her mom) is her immediate boss, best I can tell. Apparently, he is English and as you probably know Hillary, she is enchanted by the British accent. (She once said "my dad said I could be anything I choose to be...I choose to be British). So when she recants the stories from Pete, it is in her best brogue. (Ok, I know brogue is mostly associated with Scots, but I was going for aliteration...deal with it.) Hilarious. She makes me laugh.
Arrie(sp?) who is apparently very impressive, is the man who knows all. He is the big boss and is running the entire game area. Hillary will give you details, but I am already impressed.
Today was her official day of work. She worked the fence lines, helped fix a water trough, fed and cared for a variety of animals from lizards (bearded dragons who mistook her finger polish for a cricket), to water buffalo and giraffe. Too cool. She has gotten to meet the rescued lions that Arrie is rehabilitating for release into the wild. That is the ultimate objective, release into the wild. Oh yeah, and she ran across a lot of vlakvark....he new favorite word...look it up, it is Afrikaans. She is tired, but it seems to be all that she was hoping for and more.
Over the weekend, Hillary had gotten settled into her house and acclimated to the area. She went on a game drive and came upon a pride of Lions a few yards from her (not scary she said) and Rhino with her calf(?)(scary, with mom on full alert). She also watched Rugby match at some sort of pub where the Springboks took on England. (Reminder: Pete is English...ha). She met a woman from Brandon Florida...odd. She has made several new friends, which is odd because Hillary struggles with talking to people. (Note: that was sarcasm).
Oh, one last note on the team back in Johannesburg. She simply loves Joanne and her family. Her fiance' Chris is very protective and told her he was her South African dad, for which I am very grateful. Thanks much to Joanne, Chris and Cristo. The big news is that she is moving already. She leaves at 7am tomorrow (Tues) to go to work on a special project. If it all works out, it should be "best thing ever". Exciting. More to come on that and Hill will have to update you on it as it is appropriate. Very cool. Hillary will do a much better job of the details than I. Know this, she is well and she already has a lifetime of stories is less than a week. Thanks Uncle Blake. More to come. We are all looking forward to the pictures.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Day 2 (2)
Noah made me his masterpiece for dinner, a snack which is basically what we call a grilled cheese Sandwich. Chris and Joanne went to a premier of an Afrikaans movie because they were featuring their business, Rhino Force. They are really trying to get me on board so I can bring to the States. We are talking more in detail tomorrow. In the morning we are going to National Geographics to talk about an article to be published. I'm so excited I'm going along to hear great things and learn so much.
Me and the kids,well mostly Noah watched tv and hung out while waiting for my baggage to hopefully arrive. Unfortunately, no show on the bags..They then went to bed because they have school tomorrow. Yuck. It's interesting their school systems. Three separate month breaks, so they go to school for 3 terms. So Noah arrives at school, which they do amazing and cool things (I mean this 5th grader as telling me a chemistry experiment I did in high school!) then he eats lunch and goes to Rugby or soccer practice depending on the day. Then he's picked up at 5! What a long day for a poor kid. But he enjoys it.
Sorry for getting sidetracked there, but when Chris and Joanne came home, (disgusted by the movie's humor by the way), and we all were about to go to bed at 11, we get a phone call...my bags have arrived! Finally I was so excited!! So excited for the morning. Good night. PS I have pic and they are coming!
Me and the kids,well mostly Noah watched tv and hung out while waiting for my baggage to hopefully arrive. Unfortunately, no show on the bags..They then went to bed because they have school tomorrow. Yuck. It's interesting their school systems. Three separate month breaks, so they go to school for 3 terms. So Noah arrives at school, which they do amazing and cool things (I mean this 5th grader as telling me a chemistry experiment I did in high school!) then he eats lunch and goes to Rugby or soccer practice depending on the day. Then he's picked up at 5! What a long day for a poor kid. But he enjoys it.
Sorry for getting sidetracked there, but when Chris and Joanne came home, (disgusted by the movie's humor by the way), and we all were about to go to bed at 11, we get a phone call...my bags have arrived! Finally I was so excited!! So excited for the morning. Good night. PS I have pic and they are coming!
Day 2 (1)
This morning, I met Christo. A man who works with my uncles company. He was very nice! I met my first rhino today, Rhoamy. It actually isn't a real one, but the biggest beaded rhino! Chris and I took her to the market to meet up with a woman who made her,Stella. See Rhoamy has traveled all around the country, so she's become a bit broken and weak. She needed to be fixed. Chris and I had to go so slow pulling her in a trailer with his vehicle so she wouldn't fall over. We had to stop a couple times to get her more steady. She finally got there. We met up with Joanne for lunch. I met one of their friends who was great. Joanne decided that before I went to hard work in the bush, I needed to get my nails done. So I lived the rough life and got them done with her which was very nice and sweet of her.
After we ran some errands. We got back to there house and here we stay for a bit. I spent sometime playing with Molly the dog and Esmarelda the cat. Molly and I played and now Chris and I are watching some Rugby!! Wow it's amazing!
I'm posting this off my phone a trying to figure out how to post pictures here. Sorry I'm trying!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Arrival night
I'm here!!! I made it here at about 5:30 South African time. The flight was about 14 1/2 hour trip. It went by quickly though. Slept most of the time. As I watched is near the ground in the plane I couldn't help but smile. I can't believe I'm doin this. It seems like yesterday when I was afraid to stay at home by myself and now I'm landing in a foreign country by myself and meeting up with someone I've never met. Crazy! But I felt at ease. It was hard to say goodbye to my family, had a hard time holding it together but Ill see them soon.
When I got off the plane, I have to admit I had butterflies in my stomach. I went through passport inspection with ease, grab a cart and sit and wait for my luggage. I get a text from my father saying he got an email saying my luggage wasn't there...haha dad very funny...he wasnt joking. Yep in South Africa and they lost my luggage. I go to the Delta baggage people and he asked for the address I will be staying...well sir I have no idea. Hopefully I'll call tomorrow with the address and my luggage will be there. HOPE! Luckily I backed a change of clothes in my carry on. I get over to where people are holding signs for the person they are picking up...no Hillary. I go ahea and head over to exchange money. I soon get a phone call from Joanne, the woman I've been in contact and was planning on picking me up. We finally found each other. She is deffinitly not what I imagined! She is gorgeous and high fashioned. I imagined a woman who dressed in safari clothes of some Sort since she's involved on conservation. She's so friendly and instantly gives me hug. Yep I'm going to like her. We go to get in her car and I instantly go to the right side. Oops I forgot that's the drivers side here. Haha she laughed, I blushed!
We arrive at ther gorgeous home after a nice ride on the left side of the road. I knew I would love it here when I saw the golden retriever staring at me through the gate, her name is Molly and looks just like our Daisy...but younger and skinnier. They have a Siamese cat, who Joanne hates ned Ismarelda and a black cat whose more friendly named Jack. She's shows me my room and on comes the crowd. Joanne's finance Chris, whose fabulous just like her. They are getting married in August. He's planning most of it. Hannah, Joanne's oldest,13,and keeps to herself and then Noah,about 8, whose room I'm using and know I'm going to really enjoy. Then there is Chris' daughter Olivia,around the same age as Noah. She is so sweet and thoughtful
We chit chatted and then had dinner that Joanne prepared. Delicious chicken with peas, rice and gravy, the cream and cauliflower and potatoes and onions. Yummy! Then she gave me this dessert, I keep forgetting what there called. Someone kisses. These small this of ice cream with hard chocolate around them. It was a great meal. The kids have to go to school tomorrow so we are turning in early. I'm tired from the trip so the sleep will be nice.
Over all it seems they are as interested in me and America as I am them. I am so excited and so grateful and blessed for the opportunity. I love them already and I can't wait to get to know them more. Tomorrow they are going to show me their breath taking country. Good night all and prey I get my luggage tomorrow! Pictures will be posted soon!
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