We are down to our last week at the AVIVA house and it seems like we’ve only now just started to get the hang of things here. We’ve really had to hone our camping skills, and we’ve almost got living here down to a science. We’ve learned that warm showers are a privilege and not a right, and they should not be expected daily. Blow drying or straightening our hair is only for very special occasions. However, Laura learned the hard way today that hair brushing needs to be a mandatory weekly occurrence, as her hair hadn’t been brushed since our arrival and was knotted so badly I almost had to give her a buzz cut. Exercise has proved to be a major source of frustration for me since the safety of running on the streets alone is questionable. Sometimes workouts consist solely of doing sit-ups in our bedroom, but thankfully Laura and Amy have been patient with me and my resulting pent up energy. Every week after we send our laundry off to get washed, I seem to be one pair of socks poorer. I brought 7 pairs of socks, and we’ve been here for 5 weeks now – you do the math. Let’s just say I’ve had to get creative. I’ve quit coffee nearly every day since our arrival as I simply can’t stomach the instant coffee that’s provided, but my zombie-like state and caffeine addiction have had me crawling back to it every morning. We’ve had nights where the house has no running water and what I swear have been sub-zero temperatures. Lights are usually out by 8pm, and sometimes gloves are required as we read by flashlights in our bunk beds, but we’ve all grown to love it (maybe love is a strong word…) It could certainly be a lot worse!
At work, the kids still try their luck with us every single day, but we know they’ll miss us dearly when we go. Looking back on all of this, I’m sure we won’t remember any of the trying times we’ve had with them. Yes, I’m sure we’ll forget about the time we put one of the boys in the time-out room and he locked us out. Or the time when one of the boys told us he needed to go to the bathroom but, unfortunately, forgot the minor detail of taking off his pants before he went. We probably won’t remember how one of the children tried to ride the dog while another flushed Play-doe, rocks and toys down the toilet. Yes, I’m sure we’ll just remember them as the little angels that they are.
We are having a carnival to celebrate our last day with the big kids tomorrow. We’ve worked hard all week creating games, decorating and getting prizes. It will be a day filled with 3 legged races, pin the beak on the penguin, ring toss, bowling, cookie decorating, wheelbarrow races, a wheel of fortune and more. We’ve had quite a few requests for “the apple game” since we bobbed for apples on the 4th of July, so we’ll make sure to fit that in too. None of the kids have ever heard of a carnival before, so they’re all curiously excited. We’ll have some fun before it’s time to say goodbye.
This weekend will be our last in Cape Town. We finish working with the little kids next Thursday and then head off on another road trip. We’ve discovered that we’re more the “do it yourself” type, preferring to be on our own schedules than at the mercy of a crowded tour bus. So, we’ve decided to rent a car again and see where we end up. We’ll be gone 13 days, visiting 8 different cities before ending with a 4 day safari. If all goes well, there should be hiking, horseback riding, bike riding, ostrich riding and zip lining. Our safari will include game drives, bush walks and lots of animal viewing as we spend 3 nights camping in the wilderness. We’ll return to Cape Town to have one last night at AVIVA before heading back to the States. Nobody can believe that in less than 3 weeks we’ll be home - time has flown. Stay posted for carnival pictures coming soon!
3 cowgirls at the park
Dancing lessons - I'm not sure I'm the best person for the job
One of the boys in my jean jacket
The boys dressed up in our clothes
Trying to get the knot out of Laura's hair. Hair brushing will have to start happening more regularly around here.
Amy and Laura on the beach by our house
Amy and I doing some sit ups in our room. Yes, sometimes our workouts are this pathetic.
Amy teaching one of the boys to line dance
This one could easily fit in my suitcase
Praying before snack time
1 comment:
When you wear your hair curly everyday I didn't think their was a need to brush it...Just get out of the shower and go. But i was sadly mistake. Thank you rachel for the help:)
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