NEW YEAR'S!!!

Frantically adding songs and creating playlists for my iPod. Then I head home.My dear friends Lyndsey Chaille and Jessalynne Howard are waiting for me at my house. We will eat dinner and then leave my house early because we are going to CAPE TOWN!!!! Cannot believe it?! We have been planning this trip since we were all lil trainees back in June.

            Giant packs full of clothes and NYE worthy outfits and tummies full of breakfast-we head out! We meet two other volunteers in Mafetang, a border town, so we can enter South Africa.

Our AMAZZZING ride to S.A.'s border

Our driver-who thought we were crazy :)

Yep, this bad boy again

Where we bought our ticket to take us from the border into Bloem

Once in South Africa, Bloemfontein, we head to the most important spot: McDonald’s!! We eat our weight in fries and burgers-it’s good to be an American. 

It even had oreos! Good Lawd, America is awesome ;)

Village girl gone wild ;)

I had to get a happy meal!

After our McFlurries, we head to the bus station where we will catch our bus to Cape Town, only a 12 hour ride, should be a piece of cake, right? If you guessed yes, you would be wrong. The bus was humid and Kelly’s long legs make sleep impossible-we toss and turn all night. We sit on the top decker of the two-decker bus and we just so happen to be in the second row-able to see then entire ride-it’s beautiful J

            The morning comes for me when Kelly is shaking me awake. Why? Because our bus was slowing down because a group of baboons were crossing the street!!! Can you believe it?! I flip out and won’t shut up about how much I wish my baby sister, nephew, and nieces could see it!

            We FINALLY arrive in CT, Kelly rushes off the airport to pick up her best friend, Chris, he’s visiting from that magical place called: AMERICA J the rest of our group checks into our hostel on Long Street. Still dressed in my polka dot pj pants I sit on Long Street and enjoy a cig while I take in the sights, sounds, and people in Cape Town-I can’t wait to explore!

            I hop in the shower, yep, this lil village lady got to take a bona fide hot shower-dreams do come true. I blow-dry my hair, electricity really is the bee’s knees, and we head out to do some shopping! I don’t find much, but I do stumble upon a pretty lady with a clean American boy drinking some Guinness in a pub. We all end up sitting around talking with our backpackers next door.

            I’m sitting in a place where I can see outside and notice some smoke. Then I hear someone shout, “fire!”

            Yep, that’s right, our backpackers is on fire.

Yep, haven’t been in the country for 24 hours and we already have our first hiccup. Kelly and I realize our friend, Ariana, is inside so, what else do we do other than run into the building? All ended up ok-don’t fret.

NYE NIGHT:

            I apply my thick black eyeliner and bright red lipstick. My black halter-top is low-leaving my back tattoo exposed. After I fix Kelly’s suspenders and spray us both down with perfume (thanks Mama Anderson) we head out for the night!

            The bar we go to isn’t very far from our hostel. We get our free drink and begin dancing!

10…9…8…7…6...5…4…3…2…1…HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

            We share a sweet kiss and hug everyone. It’s such a great moment to bring in 2012 with some of the people who have been with me on the wildest journey of my life (so far of course…I have plenty more planned)

            With empty drinks, no more cigs, and sore legs Kelly and I head to…..wait for it….McDonalds!!! ye know, for a 2am snack J We hafta seize the opportunity for this late night food, right?

Enjoying our gin and tonics on the balcony

sweet photo op :)

with our boy, Tommy

Carolina Girls!!

:)

            The next few days are a whirlwind. Tons of deelish food, market shopping, and dancing all night. We are truly living the dream.

            One day we go on an amazing wine tour. 8a-6p.

http://www.wineflies.co.za/

We try every kind of wine, learn lots, and wear ridiculous hats!

Laughing with my Darlen-as usual

Started the day with the bubbly!

CHEESE!

Yep, this is a PERFECT photo of us :)

Gorgeous right?

Livin' it up in SA

TY ladies!!!

The ridiculous hat I loved! 

            We really get to explore South Africa, and the best part-they love my accent! Once the tour is over, our guides take us to a local bar and we have real calamari and a few white Russians! Kelly and I devour our food and drink our drinks so fast we simply must order another J

            We also spend a day at the waterfront park. It’s beautiful and we are glad we took the time to go. We window shop at the mall and walk along the water. We even see a movie in 3D J Puss in Boots is hilarious and Kelly has yet another alter ego. Humpty.

Cape Town at night

Our messy room-mess created by yours truly ;)

The difference is slightly obvious, no?

That's us!

Finally-a margarita :)

Nachos make this lil lady happy

Fajitas-deeeeeelish

First Vacay: HUGE SUCCESS J

Drinkin’, dancin’, and meeting a king-Just another day in my life

Picture it: two girls running, ok, more like waddling quickly, towards one another on the side of the road somewhere in sub-Saharan Africa. One dark skinned with wild curly hair and an overfull red daypack, the other with super blonde hair, freckles, and a green pack just as full, if not more.

            This reunion was a glitter twin reunion. My fellow diva, a girly girl trying to survive in rural Lesotho, Jessalynne and I have obviously missed each other. This wildly strange and comical (hey, you try running with 15lbs on your back- I bet you’d look ridiculous too) reunion was also the beginning of some of the best days I’ve had in Lesotho so far.

            It’s called and All Vol. It’s a time when All (most) of the VOLunteers in country get together, hence the name. Yes, we have sessions of training and venting about our sites, but we also have evenings free to socialize. Let’s just say this Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday end up being delightful and dehydrating.

            When we arrive in Mazenod, right outside of the capital, we wait for the other volunteers. This is also a time for us CHED ‘11’s (my group) to meet the rest of volunteers in country. We all arrive, hug, kiss, and probably a lil too much squealing. We watch a touching video commemorating the 50^th anniversary of Peace Corps.

            Then, we eat dinner and begin socializing. Let’s just say we reconnect and I smoke entirely too many cigs. I meet tons of people, and a very important person, who redeems her first impression by being genuinely interested on the meaning of my ink-Yep, Kelly listened to my whole rant about my back piece.

            The next morning comes too quickly, and we are at breakfast by 7am-far too early for me. I did, however, get the chance to take an EARLY morning HOT shower and even did my hair!! No more nappy dirty hair for Cassie. We have a few morning sessions and then we head off to the ceremony. Men in jackets and ties while the ladies are in our best dresses from ‘Merica. We clean up nice if I do say so myself ;) Amanda dubs my taupe pencil skirt, black turtleneck, and leopard print scarf, Business safari-BAM!

            The morija museum is small, but pretty and the grounds are completely covered in red, white, and blue decorations. The ambassador and the king are present, so we begin the show. Many people speak ,a nd the camera guy for whatever tv station, how would I know I don’t have a tv, is working real hard to get everything-especially when two groups from a local school perform traditional dances.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KBXOg7pbKA

            Then comes the good stuff-no not food, I’m offended-it’s time for us new volunteers to Swear-in (again!)

            My group, which I lead, alphabetical, while we take the oath-the same oath that the president of the United States takes-serious stuff. Then, we shake the hands of the ambassador and the king. Exciting right?! I totes touched a king-My grandbabies will hafta hear this story more times than they will ever care to hear it ;)

            Once the ceremony concludes, we feast! In true PCV fashion we overeat and enjoy every bite. We dance, laugh, and a few people don’t mind sneaking off with me while I sneak a cig or two ;) 

            We head back to our “hotel” which is more like a mental hospital converted over and the rooms are at best, TINY. We begin to All Vol Talent show. Hot damn, Peace Corps Volunteers are talented! Poetry, singing, dancing-we have it all. My good friend, Tara Daggum Hughes, preforms a song written by her in honor of my upcoming birthday. It’s amazing and makes me laugh-HARD.

            As a finale of the talent show, a group of volunteers  preform a well choreographed dance to the “hit” Friday by Rebecca Black. It’s on youtube under Friday dance Peace Corps Lesotho. Yep, I live, work, and love these crazy people. DISCLAIMER: To do PC you kinda sorta definitely have to be a little unstable and totally okay with regular humiliation. It’s in the fine print of the application.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJyo9vzNepo

            After the talent show, we feast! Yeh, starving in PC just doesn’t happen. Anywho, the priest who lives on the compound donates a few boxes of beverages and our last night begins.

            The best part of these few days was the last night. We literally had a dance party, remnant of my ATL days, with a bunch of people. Granted it has its PC flair, but goodness it was fun. The Basotho can dance, and I’m pretty sure we all learned a few new dance moves. It was epic to say the least. I did the salsa all night with Jessalynne and someone even did the worm. A few boys shaved their heads and I got to talk about my fave show, The L Word, with a few new friends. The nights ends with Tara and I singing Dixie Chicks in the bathroom while our friends shower. Idk why this always happens, but our southern root betray us at times and this is what happens. I teach Kelly how to shag, and I’m off to sleep.

            The next morning comes too quickly-4 hours of sleep just isn’t enough. I bask in one more long shower and head off for a few last sessions.

            These few days make me realize that PC is exactly where I am supposed to be. While I may miss my family and friends immensely-I do have a family here. And well, that’s just the beginning of why I love my PC family. 

An update...Yep, you're welcome!!!

Well, Hello there fellow followers :)

Here's a lil update on my lil life in Africa....

SEPTEMBER: So, after the chaos of "All Vol" (a meeting for ALL the VOLunteers in country-I'll post about that lata) I settle back in at my site. It's my birthday month, and I am forced to stay at home-PC rules...BLERG.
It's al ok because on my birthday I have tons of princess wrapping paper covered presents from the fam, and we Skype as I open them-How fab is that?! It was so wonderful I even get to watch my family sing to me via a FB video...I love my fam. I get things I need plus a few frivolous items too :)
Kelly comes to visit the weekend after my birthday and showers me with hand-me down gifts-it's all very thoughtful and makes me feel special. She even offers me a plastic flower on bended knee-ahhh the romance.
Kelly has the idea to mark my height on a doorway in my kitchen-which has since become a tradition for every person who visits my house-I'm seriously accumulating quite a few marks ;)

OCTOBER: It starts out a slow month but then it all changes. Lesotho Durham LINK (LDL), my host organization-google it, has a huge celebration. I get all dressed up and even end up on TV. Yay! I'm totes famous in a country that happens to be smaller than most lakes in America. Baha. Don;t believe me you say, Google it :)
There is a huge group of people from Durham and they want to visit LDL's community outreach centre (my village). I even wash my hair that morning and prepare for the busy day. we clean the school and set up for our guests. We take them on a tour of the school, and the kids perform traditional dances. it's a blast-I couldn't be more proud. Once the sun starts to set they depart, ad I run home for a nap-after smooshing and chatting it up all day this lil lady is exhausted,

NOVEMBER: I am beginning to feel like a Peace Corps Volunteer-at least every once in awhile. I still can't travel for the first few weeks, and then BAM-i can leave my district! Woot! I spend my first weekend in Mohale's Hoek (south of the country). Kelly is much more rural than I am, but we have a great weekend! Her cat, Winnie, has 2 kittens, one of which I claim, and we go for a lil walk around her village. As November nears its end, I am busy planning to host Thanksgiving and 15+ PCVs in my house. Because of schedules, we are unable to celebrate on Thursday-but who says the Saturday after doesn't count? Thanks to some amazing chefs, my real stove and oven, and some generous care packages from Mama's back home-Thanksgiving is a HUGE success! We eat too much, drink, and we talk abut football-can't take the American outta us, eh?

My PC Family :) We are a beautiful lil bunch, eh?

Sun worshippers...and notice those Christmas lights...HOW RAD?!

DECEMBER: School is out for the summer!!! I spend my days in Maseru working with host org and of course Kelly. We catch up on sleep and travel lots :) Simple living because we are saving every penny because we are heading to Cape Town for New Year's Eve :)
We have BIG plans for Christmas, but on its Eve I become very sick and we are forced to cancel. A dear friend, Courtney, visits and Kelly balances being a caring gf for me and a hostess for Courtney. The next  morning I feel stronger and keep down food-yay! We play aggravation ALL day and I eat crackers. It's all so exciting. Kelly renames the sparkle spaces the Sparkle Highway, for those of you who know this game understand.

Next post: New year's events in Cape Town, South Africa :)