The Journey Inward

Yesterday was a fun finale to the work week. The kids got to go to the library yesterday to exchange books and the librarian, Promise, gave me some wonderful travel tips. She recommended Zanzibar as a nice getaway, as well as a safari in Nairobi where you can see the Big 5 with the city in the background. She said it’s the only place she knows of where that can happen.

She also advised me how to get around in different countries or regions, saying that the hotel would always be a help in introducing you to Uber or taxis or such. She is well traveled around Africa and I enjoyed her advice.

Teighler, my teaching partner, brought me a Red Capuccino yesterday that was so wonderful. It’s rooibos tea with a shot of espresso and with yummy milk. She told me her favorite chai tea latte place (Wooly’s) and her two favorite takeaway places (Cairo Kitchen and a small place owned by the husband of a teacher that makes amazing shwarma wraps).

After school, a group of teachers went to Stoetbul, the bar with live music, to celebrate Mark’s birthday. Mark teaches at the middle school and I am friendly with his wife, Jude. It was a great night with great music, good food and drinks. I got to meet Stefany’s husband, too. He works for the Secret Service.

I also met Yuri, who is a leadership coach for schools around the world. We talked for several hours about his work, the groups he runs, and the activities he participates in. I very much related to his interests and community building here, as I like the same at home. I was delighted to find someone who can introduce me to meaningful groups that are built around deep connections. He has a weekend exploration group that participates in activities locally which I joined and he recommended a dance class that I am considering. Very outside my comfort zone!!

Many South Africans are deeply spiritual and speak with awe about mysticism, nature and souls. It is something that is next level for me, so I am enjoying these conversations.

This morning I slept in, exhausted from the week. I took a nice 4 mile walk around my neighborhood and saw a Paw Paw tree bearing fruit. I did some car shopping in tandem with my brother. My niece sent a sweet picture of her husband and son making s’mores in the backyard and told me they were listening to Toto’s Africa and talking about my experiences. It made my day! Yuri invited me to his friend’s pool party (too cold for swimming) at her house not far from me. It’s really just a gathering to watch the rugby match, which is very popular here, partly because we have a great team! This will be my first exposure to professional rugby, though I went to a few of my friend, Claire’s practices at University in England!