point A to point B

despite the many mistakes and tedious steps taken in order for me to get here, the fact is,

i'm finally here!

again, sorry and thanks to all of you who have been involved.

i landed in joburg last night just in time to catch the last bus of the day. i tried not to look lost, but for those of you who know my sense of direction, i got kind of lost. so i tossed the idea of trying to look like i knew what i was doing and went right to the information desk after exiting the airport. with the directions i received, i found the public bus station relatively easily, and while i was waiting for the bus to arrive, i met a nice person, to say the least. she was waiting for the same bus as i was -- the citybug -- and she gave me her telephone number just in case i needed something. when we got to nelspruit, the stop where i was supposed to get picked up, she waited until the hands at work members arrived so i didn't have to wait there by myself. i was so glad to have met her. or else, i would've been completely... scared. haha

the lodging here is more than what i had expected or hoped for. i'm staying at ASM (african school of missions), and the housing is much like a college dorm (with more bugs, frogs, leaves, and dirt). we have a kitchen, bathroom with toilet and sink, hot water, bed, closet, etc., so this new environment doesn't require too many drastic changes or adjustments on my part. but i'm sure when i head out to the communities, things will be much, much, much more different.

people here are also really friendly. there are only three other footprinters; they all came in early august to start their training. the other two to three footprinters who were supposed to come in september with me had decided not to come, at least for this round of intakes. most of the people in this house are also caucasian... or more precisely, canadian. in fact, my first impression of the house and volunteers was: hmm. there are a Lot of canadians here! dinner today involved discussion over canadian politics and the sharing of many volunteers' stories about growing up in canada. i'm surprised to find myself having to adjust to the caucasian (canadian?) culture as much as i have to adjust to the african culture. it'll take time to get used to, but i hope i find myself well-adjusted in a couple of weeks.

despite my outing to nelspruit this afternoon and having spent an entire day in this country, that fact still hasn't hit me yet -- that i'm in africa and that i'll be here for an entire year.

what a year it's going to be.

in any case,
hello and good night from africa!

nights are dark, but stars are really bright here.

***

notes to september wellspring mission team members:

i'm sure many of you already know the directions to the city bug bus station, but they still might be confusing due to construction. as soon as you exit the airport after customs (i didn't have to go through customs), you'll see a rather narrow road filled with banks from right to left. turn left and follow the signs pointing toward domestic departures and parking. pass the post office and continue walking until you see signs on your right pointing toward the hotel and public transportation. cross the street and continue following the signs for public transportation. or... just ask the information desk.

days here are pretty pleasant in terms of weather, much like the bay area, but nights can get pretty cold. pants and sweaters/sweatshirts are advisable to bring.

don't worry about bringing everything. there's a grocery store in white river and a mall in nelspruit where you can practically buy anything you need.

*** photos will be coming soon!