Yes, I'm in Africa!

Today offically marks Day 4 in Africa. Yes, this is Africa. I have already seen many places, people and things that I expected to see here. I have also seen many things I did not expect to see.

I arrived late at night on Wednesday in East London, which is a smaller town on the coast of the Indian Ocean. Since it was late and dark, there wasn't much to see on the 2 hour drive back to the farm. Exhausted from jetlag and excitement, I arrived at the Harrison Farm, the offical name of the Vehorn home. Although I wasn't able to see the farm at night, I could see the Vehorn "compound." The main house, where Ronnie and Janet live, used to be an operating dairy which is evident by the ramps that are still used as walk ways. Close to the main house is the first set of guest rooms (the building on the far right of the picture.) This is where Luke and I stay. The next building (the oval building in the back of the picture) is the Safari Den, a room full of stuffed antelope, birds, warthogs, and other animals hunted and killed by the family, couches, a bar and an entertaining kitchen. The building on the far left is a traditional building called a "rondavail" (pronounced ron-dive-oul.) This is also a guest room. The circular stone structure in front is the fire pit where I had my first braai. A braai is just a traditional word for cookout or a bar-b-que. For my first braai we cooked up Chops & Wors (lampchops and a type of sausage, delish!)

Aside from accomodations in the guesthouses and main house, there is the actual farmhouse on the land. It was built in the 20's when the owners were raking in money as sheep farmers. The house has amazing architecture both inside and out with two living rooms, four bedrooms, pantry and kitchen. And, its because of its size that the Vehorns choose to live in the main house, this farm house is simply too big. The Vehorns occasionally have people staying on the farm for various hunting/fishing expeditions and/or missionary work. The larger missionary groups have stayed in this farm house in the past.

The Harrison Farm has around 1,000 acres of rolling hills, rocky out croppings, woods and feilds. The main crop this season is lucern (a type of alfalfa.) Its mainly used to feed livestock. As this is a fully functioning farm, there are workers tending to the feilds, sprinklers, water pumps, etc. There is constant action around here.

As you would expect, what I see here is a much different life that what we live in the states. The Harrison Farm is located near the town of Whittlesea, a spat on the side of the road as far as towns go. It consists of a main road with about two blocks worth of buildings lining it. The largest structures are the Spar, a local grocery chain, and the petrol station, a far cry from a gas station like home.

That's life around the farm. Yesterday, Luke took a quick 30 minute drive north to Queenstown, the closest mid-sized town to the farm. This is where Queens College, an all boys boarding school, is located. Luke attened the school for 8 years until he graduated and moved to the states for college at good ole CofC. The town was small but had restaurants, stores, bars. Yes, I went to my first African bar, called Guidos. Ha ha. An Italian themed bar/restaurant. Sounds like home, eh? In all honesty, some of the places arn't all that different from places at home, restaurants, bars, stores. Although the driving leaves much to be desired. Aside from adjusting to the opposite side of the road, no one really drives well here, at all. Parking, passing, turning, stopping all depend on how the driver feels that day. You must keep an eye out at all times, all kinds of crazy stuff is coming across these streets.

My blog is long, sorry. But real quick, Luke and I leave Tuesday for a 10 day adventure down the coast. There will be safaris, bungee jumps, J's bay, vineyards and wine tastings, Capetown, the most southern tip of Africa and who knows what else. I will put up the itienary soon for you to see. Take care and adios for now!

Linds