molo.

Greetings.

So, the safari and Durban have both come and gone. I just spent my first evening in Harare, Khayelitsha. Here's a brief update.

Well, after our 22-hour bus ride into Durban, we headed up to Umfolozi and a neighboring game park in two rented vehicles and one Keith, a friend of the Director of SACF and an experienced individual at Umfolozi.

Within our first five minutes in the park, we spotted our first elephant. Huge. HUGE. After it crossed the road and went back into the bush, our vehicle began to crawl down the hill and move on--that is, until the lone elephant turned back and came towards us. We froze. And turned off the lights. And freaked out. He came right up to the car he was at least twice the height and length of our van), trunk touching the front tire. We've never been that silent as group, before or since. It was a tremendous experience, albeit completely fear invoking. I'll never forget it.

After that, how could the park get any better? We did see more elephant, as well as rhino, giraffe, impala, wildebeest, lion, wildboar, nyala, etc. I don't have my camera with me, but I'll post pictures soon.

After safari, we went back into downtown Durban for an evening. Our ventures out were not entirely successful, as we didn't quite know where we were going (and, like anywhere, it's never exactly smart to wonder alone in unknown areas). However, at night, we met the Collins family for dinner (Paul and Claire are in the states, having been at Gordon College). Merrell, Liesel, Robert, and Mrs. Collins were great, and it was wonderful to sit and laugh with them. They're all intensly clever people, and no doubt have gone far and will go further with their lives. I felt very comfortable with them all...those of you who know Paul and Claire should know that their amazing-ness must be genetic.

And now, another 22-hour bus trip later, I find myself in a RDP (meaning built with government support) home in Harare. My Momma and host father are great, and multiple brothers and sisters live at the house, including a grandchild. It's been great to meet everyone, and a little awkward getting used to stares from community members, Xhosa (the language spoken as well as English), and a different way of life. I'm laughing a lot, mostly at myself. Other people are laughing at me too. Hey, whatever, eh? I've much to learn.

So, that's just a taste. As always, there is much more to write and photos to post. Perhaps next weekend or midweek? I'll try.

Take care and go well,
john