Well, I can’t say that I’m surprised that I am immensely enjoying the beach as part of my holiday season celebrations. While it is extremely bizarre that it will not be a white Christmas for me – and I spent my birthday at the beach when it’s normally freezing – I can’t say that it’s “bad”. I love the beach, the sun, and warm weather so basically – I could get used to this!
Thanksgiving was so much fun! I spent the weekend at Jeffery’s Bay with my South African friend and two fellow PCVs. We met some cool kids at the backpackers we stayed at and invited them to join in on the feast. It. Was. Delicious. I love green bean casserole so very, very much. It was great weather the whole weekend except for Sunday which was perfect because we didn’t resent having to spend the whole day cooking when we could be at the beach. Jeffery’s Bay is one of the most famous surfing spots in the world and the Billabong Pro happens there every July. I hope to go to Jeffery’s next year during the competition – how awesome would that be?! It is a really cool beach town and has that chill, laid back surfer vibe. It also looks like it’s owned by Billabong with at least five Billabong stores in this one tiny town (including a factory shop which is awesome but still absurdly over priced). I didn’t get to try surfing, but I did get to SEE surfing. It was pretty sweet. All in all an excellent Thanksgiving!
My birthday was also really great! I felt like I was celebrating the whole weekend long (because I sort of was). I had a birthday party on Friday with my family in the location. It was so sweet – they decorated the house and sang to me. We had chips, cold drink (soda), ice cream, and dinner. We just hung out and watched TV but it was so nice to spend time with them. And I got the sweetest birthday card in the world from the youngest of my “sisters”. I had to try really hard to not cry. It was so nice because you can often find yourself on a tough day thinking “who am I even helping?” or “does anyone notice what I’m doing?”. Her card let me know that she has noticed and that felt so good to hear that by just being friends with her she has been impacted by me. It was a much needed message and I’m so grateful to know her. I know someday she’s going to come visit me in the States (I’m personally hoping for her to do a student exchange program) but I can’t wait to show her around!
On Saturday I had SO MUCH laundry to do, but I actually don’t mind doing laundry and it was such a beautiful day that it was perfect. After laundry I met up with my friend and we went out for a small lunch and rented movies for our sleep over. That night we had a delicious dinner with her family and watched one of our rental movies – The Time Travelers Wife (I fell asleep actually but I think it’s because I was so confused). The next day we knew the power was going to be out for the whole day because of some sort of routine power maintenance (on my actually birthday of course!). But it didn’t matter because we slept in and then spent the day at a pool and the beach! It was a lovely and relaxing birthday. Later that night I read some of my new book that I have been so excited for “The Lies Chelsea Handler Told Me” (which is hilarious), and watched Breakfast at Tiffanys. It was such a lovely birthday weekend! Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes – I really appreciate it!
I am so very excited for this weekend when my vacation starts! I was supposed to leave for Cape Town but that trip has actually been postponed and instead I’m going on a four day hike along the coast with my friends that I am traveling along the Wild Coast with! Myself and three fellow PCVs and I will be spending our time around Christmas and New Years traveling up the Wild Coast stopping at different destinations and ending in Durban (another big city I’ve been dying to see) where we meet up with more PCVs. I am so beyond excited for this vacation I can’t even explain! It’s going to be awesome! Am slightly nervous for this four day, “self guided” hike along the coast. I have never done something so intense before but I’m really excited for the challenge! I love hiking so I hope that this is a positive experience! Besides I need to condition myself for if I want to hike the Inca trail someday. Granted we are slackpacking so I’m not sure if it’s going to be all that hard.; )
The holiday season for me here (in my small town) is so different than in the States. Since I don’t watch TV or listen to the radio I have literally seen two indications that it’s about to be Christmas. At the PEP store in town (like an Old Navy) they have a small Christmas decorations section. The other indication is the Christmas tree design on the plastic grocery store bags. That is IT. It is SO weird to think about how Christmas is on steroids in the States and here you would barely be able to tell that there is some big holiday coming up. I can’t tell which I like better. You certainly get so into the spirit in the States but you don’t really have a choice. I’m not sure if that will make sense, but it’s almost like you are forced to obsess about everything holiday at this time of the year. Here – it’s just like normal life only with a long holiday included. This I appreciate…
South Africa celebrates Christmas by basically taking a country wide vacation for a month. Seriously – they basically shut down for weeks (except the tourist things aren’t shut down they are on overdrive). My organization is closed from December 16th to the 9th of January. Can you believe it?! It’s almost a whole month! I am not at all complaining about this I should clarify. Although I’m not sure I know anyone that would complain if they had such a long break from work. It’s awesome! I’ve gotten into the holiday spirit myself by listening to my Christmas music (while doing laundry) and have been watching the Christmas episodes of the TV shows I have and the Christmas movies. I’m most excited for It’s A Wonderful Life and Love Actually – my two favorite holiday movies. I’ve been holding out on watching them waiting for holiday season. I’m so glad it’s finally here!
And this is my Holiday Wish for all of you…
May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home. May good and faithful friends be yours wherever you may roam...
-Irish Blessing
