and her heart leapt for Africa: 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.