March 18th Notes

March 18^th

I have so much to share and not enough time to share it all. Our first full day was a busy one, and very eye opening. As a group we visited 4 schools, A.F. Louf, Ida’s Valley, Kayamandi and Rhenish; all with very different makeup of students and staff. We are excited to start tomorrow fresh with new ideas, and experience the culture and life of South Africa.

Today we were greeted with open arms at A.F. Louf by pre-primer students. They were super excited to see us and we were greeted with many hugs. The high school is set right in the center of the township, which is of very low economic status. We have a township tour set up for Saturday and I cannot wait to experience the life that a lot of the students experience every day.

The views are unbelievable. We have mountains surrounding us. Waking up this morning we were shocked to see the mountains since we came in so late last night and did not see the beautiful scenery.

The biggest difference right now that keeps getting me caught up is measurement; metrics! If only I had paid attention more when my CT was teaching my 4^th graders I might be in a little better shape. They talk about degrees in celcius, i.e. it is going to be 34 degrees tomorrow…what does that mean for me? Or its only 35 Kilometers to Cape Town…yup. All the cereal boxes and milk cartons are labeled in metrics. Its just different to see metrics in use.

The Rand is the currency in South Africa right now the exchange is 7R=1USD so it is in our favor. But whenever we buy something we have to divide by 7 to see how much American money we are spending. Good thing my students division chapter reminded me how to do that lol

Jennifer and Lincoln are very nice. We are lucky to have our own space in the back of the house. It is hard though to be away from everyone else. But as time goes on I know we will hang out more and more with our friends.