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I had a great time last weekend ziplining. We left on the Saturday and stayed the night in a lodge up in the mountains of Swaziland. On the way we stopped at the 2nd largest rock in the world (after Ayres rock), and a very big, and pretty Dam. The accomadation was lovely, we were in little thatched huts, with duvets, and hot water bottles, which was convenient, as when we arrived we had a pretty impressive thunder storm. Luckily that passed in time for our BBQ in the evening. On Sunday we went zipwiring, which was amazing. I wasn't as scared as I expected (must of cured my fear of heights with the skydive!), although it was pretty high. We were zipping through the treetops, on top of the mountains, the views were stunning!! After that, we headed back home, via a glass blowing factory, and a few Swazi markets. All in all, it was a good weekend.
On Monday, I started back at the school, and it was a bit chaotic. Apparently the 21st is payday, which apparently also means that the teachers leave at break time, but the children stay. So, I was left to attempt to teach two classes of 50 kids, in seperate rooms, at the same time! I had already done some painting with one of the classes, so I set up the other class painting, whilst attempting to teach the others science. The only problem was I had already used all my scrap paper for them to paint on, and newspaper to cover the desks on the other class (as I hadn't planned to do it with both!), there was also only about 1 paintbrush between 3 children, so they all had to share. Therefore, I was doing lots of running back and forth, to stop the fights, and the painting each others faces, and the walls, etc etc! I am sure you get the picture. Luckily school finished early, so I only had this for one hour, and got back in time to go to the hospital in the afternoon.
Tuesday was less chaotic, however I did still get abandoned with one class on my own for 2&1/2hrs while the teacher had an 'hour long meeting', but never came back. The kids were fine whilst I had something to teach them, but when I ran out (considering I had only planned an hour long lesson), it got a bit rowdy, anyway, I just about stayed in control of them I think! The stickers have been well received, so are a good bribe to keep them behaving themselves! I was also set the task of writing the Grade 5 geography test, and one of the Grade 7 teachers asked me to teach both her classes the difference between cross breeding and inbreeding, and cross pollination, and self pollination. Therefore I spent Tuesday afternoon creating a big poster, and a test! That night we had a pretty spectacular storm, and a lot of rain, this week has been a bit more wet, and more like I expected it to be in the first place, but its still hot inbetween the down pours!
Wednesday was a day off from the school because we had to get our visas for Mozambique. After doing that we went to a cultural village for some Swazi dancing, and a look around a set up village. We then had our Mozambique orientation, and I now cannot wait for this, as it sounds fantastic! We will be snorkelling with Whale Sharks (hopefully), and kayaking, and I will also be doing my ride along the beach that I never managed in Oz! That evening we had a leaving party for one of the employees at All Our Africa. We had traditional Swazi food again, and a band playing! It was a great night, until we were presented with the challenge of eating some Southern African 'delicacies'. I was happy to watch everyone else eat whole fried little fish, green slime and some horrible looking wormy bug thing. However, somehow I got bullied into doing it, I ended up having the whole place chanting my name, I'm not sure why I was picked on! The fish was disgusting, but nothing compared to the bug which I had to get rid of after gagging several times! Not nice!!
Today, I eventually got to use my map which went down very well with the children. I was left alone most of the day, but the kids were very happy to be doing something interactive, and loved the wordsearch I made. I also got to take the other class outside, because I was trying to teach them about plants, so I wanted them to find a plant and answer some questions on it. In the afternoon, I went in to the capital to find the South African Airlines office because I have decided (once again), to change my plans, and finish my volunteering 3 days early, so I can go down to Cape Town for the last 5 days with a couple of other girls. We have heard such great things about it, it seems silly not to when we are so close, and I doubt I will be in South Africa again any time soon. So this evening we booked our flights, and its all official!
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Nan & Gdad Having read this latest blog we are not sure if you fancy a career in teaching or if you have been put off altogether! However, it makes great reading. Apart from the volunteering you are obviously having a wonderful time in your free time and in due course we will look forward to hearing about Cape Town. We are very relieved that you were not in Christchurch during the earthquake which is terrible. Many thanks for the latest of the postcards you have been sending us - it is great to keep in touch with you in these different ways. We are off to the farm tomorrow for a couple of nights to make sure they are all behaving themseves! Keep safe, keep having fun and lots of love from Nan & Gdadxxx
mummy mallett Emma, your blogs get better and better! I wonder what the bug was they gave you to eat??? We gave you a nice simple name so that is why they probably found it easy to chant....... I am sure that the teachers are enjoying having a break from their charges and leaving them to you- I think you should be flattered that they want you to teach - I think!!! Keep on having fun and hopefully we can talk Saturday afternoon- hoping to go to Swindon with nan in the morning and David is entertaining grandad. luv u xxxxxxx
Nan & Gdad Just been to my South African dentist to have a crown fitted and he is just off to Cape Town (where he comes from) for a holiday. He says it is a wonderful place to visit, so enjoy when you get there! Love from Nan xx
Frank & Val Hi Emma, Your blogs are like becoming like d*** Francis novel, cant wait to turn the page for next adventure. Had midweek visit to Holstein land, shopping, calf feeding and beating David at pool, very enjoyable. Hope your visit to the "Cape" goes well. Luv V&F xx
Emma Glad you are liking the blogs, I hope the next one will be great to as Mozambique sounds like a fantastic week. The teachers certainly are loving leaving me to it, its great for them!! I just wish they wouldnt both do it at the same time! The earthquake in Christchurch is very sad! I can't believe so many people died. Hope you all have/had fun at the farm! Love Em xxx p.s. have you seen the new pictures I added to my swaziland album?
Mo Hi Em sounds like your having a fab time teaching maps rewards and two classes to teach at the sane time !! Suggest put all students in one room so you can teach them at the same time - working two rooms sounds hilarious!! Glad you found time for zipwiring and Mozambique next have fun keep blogging Moxx ps thanks for postcard love it xx
Catheirne HI Emma, great Photos of Kruger, the ziplining looks like fun, not so sure about eating wormy things but you have tried everything. Sounds like teaching is a bit hectic...... I am sure Cape Town will be great, hope you finally get your beach ride, it is still raining here, sunny and hot at times as well, but still wet, less thunder storms which makes Tag happy but I am giving her a homeopathic liquid called Thuderpetices and she is much calmer now during storms I gave both dogs some during the cyclone and they slept much more than we did, they thought it was great sleeping in the hall with us on mattresses! Not much new here Graeme is working pick up trees with the truck they have about 70 crews working in Townsville alone picking up fallen trees, but I would still rather have a cyclone than an earth quake.
Emma Mo, I can't fit them all in one room, there are 100 kids, only about 40 desks and the room isnt much bigger than our living room! Catherine, the rainy season is kinder to me here, it only ever seems to rain in the evening! Have had lots of thunder storms, but its not humid which is good! I'm glad Tag is coping better with the storms now, I can imagine just how happy they were sleeping on the matress with you! How is Townsville looking now? Just lots of fallen trees? Think I agree with you about the cyclone/earthquake though, its so tragic that so many people have died, thank god it the cyclone wasn't as bad as that as well!