What I love about SA

I love South Africa for the following reasons that are not in any particular order:


The bushveld. There is something about it that is inexplicably captivating. You never what is just around the next thorny tree.


The people. They are so genuinely kind. I can’t tell you how many people invited me in their homes and offered me coffee, places to stay, and game drives.


The friends I made. Faye, Kate, Kathryn, Bizzie, Stephen, and Lisa from my program were all wonderful people that I know I will keep in contact with. Faye and Kate's love for life and lack of sleep made my stay 100 times better than I could have ever imagined. And gosh could they make me laugh. Why do all but Stephen have to live in England??


Niel. What I love about Niel is, well, everything! He's an incredible vet, he's funny, he loves his wife and family, he's got awesome aim with that dart gun, he's ambitious... he's exactly the kind of vet I would want to be one day. Ha, and you know why Niel became a vet? Because his friend said he was applying and Niel thought, well if he can do it, why can't I??



Angela! She is also an amazing vet and a woman! A really strong woman, with a big heart that handles adveristy very well. She taught me a lot and put up with all of my annoying questions and chit chat. I miss sitting on the box of paper next to her desk, eating chocolate, drinking coffee and discussing either vet medicine or Ellisras gossip.


The Axsel and Kriel Families. They are my South African family.


The wildlife…no explanation necessary.


Antelope. I had no idea there were so many different species and all so beautiful.


The game industry. I didn’t even know it existed before I arrived and now have a new dream to own my own game farm one day -- a dream I share with most South Africans.


Phillip, Trompie, Jannie, Jaco, Collin, Niel the bartender, and everyone else who made me laugh and cry to pieces when I left.


Biltong! Who knew dried antelope could be so delicious?


Africa time. It allows you to really enjoy the moment because if you are late, who cares? Everyone else is.


Lax regulations concerning veterinary work! I was able to be so hands on....


Africa taught me more about myself and how to be a more outgoing and accepting person.Afrikaans. What a cool language, even though I didn't understand much of anything. But I did know when people were talking about me!! Then I would feel really uncomfortable, especially when they would start laughing. Tell-tale signs I was being spoken about: the words amerikaana and engels, glances in my direction, or a sudden switch from English to Afrikaans. It was fantastic when Kate was there because she could understand a lot of Afrikaans and knew what they were saying about us. The looks on guy's faces when they found out she understood were priceless. I did learn a handful of words and phrases including, "I'm not interested, thank you." "Leave me alone." and "I don't like smoke." These were extremely helpful in the bar. Even more so because I enjoyed the shocked looks. Hopefully when I own that game farm one day, I’ll really speak Afrikaans.


Shawu, Mike’s, Boskrug (is that spelled right?), Nexus: Ellisras nightlife at its best. Sakie Sakie anybody? (Waltzing to the wrong kind of music anyone?)


This one I have mentioned before, but I loved riding in the back of a bakkie at 70-80 miles an hour through the bush. I did this for the first time on my second day for an entire hour, which made the day spectacular -- I was grinning the entire time. Forget the buffalo translocation and dead rhino, I liked the bakkie ride.


Text messages from South African men. The first time I received one of these I was in shock because it was so ridiculous. Basically these texts were corny pick up lines sent directly to your cell phone and usually spelled with perfect English. Faye and I decided that there must be a text Bible on the internet because several different guys that didn't know each other couldn't all be thinking these up and miraculously improving their English in a matter of minutes. The following is one of my favorites and I would like to add that it is from one of the best track and field athletes in all of SA:


If u drop me ill BREAK,


If u hold me ill SHAKE,


If u need me ill HURRY,


If u don't sms me ill WORRY,


If u hurt me ill CRY,


but if u 4get me ill DIE! Mwa





Well I should stop myself now with this list...otherwise I will be up all night.