Hey hey hey happy followers, hope all is well at home with you guys. Thanks for the comments, keep them coming the kids are loving them.
Just thought I’d give you a quick update.
Day 10 already - is this going quickly for you lot? Currently on ‘R & R’ (rest and relaxation) after the acclimatisation trek where the group really started to gel together, seems to be at it’s best when there are no other distractions. Almost all have had the opportunity to lead for the day - yes they are actually having to make decisions and boss people around (some are naturals others are finding it more challenging) but all are doing really well. They also have additional responsibilities like the catering, budget, travel and accomodation to name but a few. A good example of a challenge they faced today in pairs was to plan the menu for 8 days - 8 breakfasts 8 lunches, 8 main meals drinks and snacks. Not such an easy task when they needed to consider food needed to be purchased in one visit to the local market and food for over half of the meals will be carried by the group for 5 days so must not be perrishable or too heavy (good luck to them).
Despite the rise in cost of living out here they have managed to stick to the budget. I’m not sure how well they are managing their own money!? All of the gang are coming into their own and they have already demonstrated some interesting traits, fab skills or provided great memories that will stay with us much longer than this trip.
So far (in no particular order):
Mishka - creative accounting, we’re right on buget not sure how because we can’t understand her anymore her accent is so strong.
Charlotte - the David Bailey of the group. She is our number one media mogule, we’ll have amazing memories as she’s taken some fab pics.
Rosie - Middle of the Mziki game reserve stripping down to her apple catchers and sports bra (what’s new) and doing an hour and a half of yoga on the hut roof at sunset.
Craig - Nearly losing our leader to the embers of the campfire after Craig climbed through the bush in the pitch black and scared the life out of him.
Zoe and Daisy - Theatrical presentation of ‘The Hungry Lion’ (I’ll let them explain) not forgetting ‘The Dance of the 14 Head Torches’
Amy - So laid back in the morning that she rocked up to the 18km trek on a wet morning to take on bush, beaches and rocks in her sandles!!!
Megan and Debra (aka Becky Lane) - Experiencing a coca cola induced sugar rush and trying to fend off not the wildlife but some other World Challenge students (it’s not completely clear how hard Debra tried!!)
Becky N - The only girl who can spend 10 days roughing it and her hair still looks amazing, Herbal Essence eat your heart out.
Alex - (The professional shopper) The only person I know who can spend 4 hours in two shops (and I thought I was good)
Beefy and Tim - Playing 9 pin bowling on the roof of the hut (two meter drop) with monkey apples and firewood, did they really not consider that the apples would roll off the roof and they would have to collect them??
Great Moments and Challenging Moments
Megan
Great Zoe’s head torch dance
Challenging Walking (anywhere)
Amy
Great Exploring the rock pools at the beach
Challenging Compromising
Mishka
Great Relaxing with the gang at the beach
Challenging Getting up the vertical staircase after the 6km we did along the beach (it’s not her fault she’s got little legs)
Alex
Great Dancing with Zulus
Challenging Surviving without straighteners, make up and home comforts
Charlotte
Great Paying someone to do her washing
Challenging Doing her own washing!!
Daisy
Great Meeting other people
Challenging Not spending all her money at once
Tim
Great Driving through the rural villages at dawn - sunrise on one side and the moon on the other
Challenging Getting everyone packed and ready on time
Zoe
Great View from the Mziki loo
Challenging Chatting up the driver (she’s still trying)
Craig
Great Zulu dancing
Challenging 18km trek
Becky N
Great Every day
Challenging Finding a decent shower
Debra (aka Becky L)
Great Other World Challenge students
Challenging Treking with an injury (nothing to worry about at home)
Rosie
Great Yoga in the sunset with an audience of monkeys and a view of the sea and the estuary
Challenging Controlling her bladder
Beefy
Great Actually getting here
Challenging Students personal organisation
Gail
Great Evenings around the campfire
Challenging Keeping everyone happy at meal time
It’s all fun fun fun - we’ll try to keep you posted.
Take care all
Gail xx