I'm BACK!

Ahoy!

I know that it has been awhile since I have written in my blog. My last one indicated I would give you the low down on Brazil and South Africa. We just left Cape Town and what I have to update you on from that city alone could take some time in and of itself! The one thing that I will not have in this entry is pictures. The reason for a photo less blog this time around is because of the internet minutes. I don't have enough time to download my pics and give you an entry. I will be working with a friend on the ship who will has helped me set up a "Flicker" account which is a website where friends, family, and ner'do wells can view your posted pics. OK, now on to the juicy bits:

Bahia, Brazil: I must give you fair warning that I spent two of my days in port catching up on some much needed rest. Many of you will be dropped jawed that I would waste anytime while in port to sleep but none of you can fully contemplate being onboard a ship working like crazy for 7 to 8 days straight and no weekends with college aged students all . . . day. . . long, so don't judge me, I was sleepy. Besides the must needed rest the ship community must have diplomatic briefings before we disembark as well as pre-port logistical and cultural meetings. During this time the faculty, interport lecture (a guest from that country which is usually a student), and the Field Office (wonderful staff members who coordinate all the trips while we're in port) give us much needed information. We find out about the political and social climate of the country, how to be around of our surroundings, and respectful of the culture and the people. Well the one for Brazil scared the crap outta me! It seems as if everyone had a horror story when they got up to the mic and I felt like I had to have CIA covert training before I got of the ship! I realize that this is done because most of the students needed to understand and be aware of their behaviors, which may be ok in the US, doesn't always work in other countries.

Now, keep in mind we are in Bahia during Carnivale, which is like nothing I've ever seen. The weather was hot and all you saw whereever you went were people who looked like me everywhere. My first venture out was Itaparica Island where I frolicked on the beach and had a wonderful lunch. Side note Brazilian food is the bomb! It was the type of food that makes your eyes roll back into head, unbutton your pants, and let it all hang out, kind of food! All . . . hang . . . out! Speaking of all hang out, another thing I noticed is that whatever body type you had, the people of Brazil celebrates you doin' you! Meaning if you have a belly then a half shirt is in order, if you have a little celly, then where those shorts, if your arms had the wing flaps we so desperately try to hide on any given Sunday, then in Brazil it meant going and getting all your sleeveless tees you owned. Bottom line, they don't care. I LOVE IT! And you are still fine! You had some women who were in good shape, one who I saw completely naked dancing on top of one of the buses, but then you had women with all kinds of shapes, and no one had time to criticize who shouldn't be wearing what, the agenda had only one item, Partay! Now, you know me. I started a little slow but then got into the swing of things. I will tell you the night I went dancing out in the streets with 2 good friends and it was AMAZING. The music was pounding and there were so many bodies out on the street we were all pressed against each other trying to breath, dance, move! I can't tell you how good it felt to be so free. I highly recommend you getting to a place in life, wherever you are where self-consciousness doesn't weigh you down and you can be you. If you want more details, I have none. You'll have to speak with me in person because a mere blog cannot say.

Cape Town, South Africa: I'M GOING BACK TO SOUTH AFRICA! I'm going, I'm going, I'm going. If I thought I was beautiful in Brazil, darlings, I'm drop dead gorgeous in South Africa. Khy and Wendy you were so right! Gold star for Marcus! Hercules, Hercules, Hercules! I'm still processing from South Africa so forgive me if I'm a little loopy in me recounting the 7 "not enough" days in Cape Town. Here are the highlights:

Robben Island - I went there at sunset and it was such an emotional place to be (I didn't cry) but I have Nelson Mandela's autobiography A Long Walk Home and to actually see what he was writing about, there isn't enough in my soul to spare.

Table Mountain/Lion's Head - There is nothing like it. It just made me in awe of God's amazing artistry. Only He could create something so beautiful. I didn't get a chance to climb it but everyday I got to look at the clouds laying across it like a table cloth and then spilling over it.

Skydiving: THAT'S RIGHT BABY! I jumped my scary tail out of a plane with nothing but my tandem partner and a parachute! Now, I had to make up for not being able to go on a safari and how! I saw all of Cape Town and some other towns too while I was up there. Let me just tell you I knew I was meant to do it because there was not a nervous bone in my body, I was meant to touch the sky!

Langa Township Visit: There is nothing like it. Nothing that I have seen in my life. To see poverty on that kind of level and babies who aren't old enough to understand smiling amidst what civilized people do to one another is nothing short of astonishing. I met some really beautiful people there but I still need time on this one.

Long St: Long St. is where all the clubs, shops, and restaurants are in the city. So I went to Marvel, which is a club, yes folks, that’s right, a club. I didn’t get home until nearly 5 a.m. No, I’m not getting buck wild, yes – I’m having a good time. I had this guy who went to Stanford breathin’ all on my neck for half of the night and when I wasn’t being entertained by him, I was out on the dance floor shakin’ it up. I’m old(er) so um . . . yeah that was my first and last night staying up that long. I LOVE MY BED and as most of you know, my plans are usually ways I can make my way back to it.

Dinner at Archbishop Desmond Tutu & his Wife's House: They are the most loving and kind family. There house is a home, I felt welcomed and laughed the whole night. Miriam, I found a laughing partner at this party too, it never fails! I'm trying to be a sophisticated lady and it was going well until a piece of my carrot rolled underneath a chair, nice. Don't worry I got it, in my own special, save face way.

There is so much more but I will leave it at this. I miss all of you, my family and my friends. If I haven't written you yet, please don't hate me, your letter/postcard is on its way!

Love,
Shayla