Swiss days

A mere update...

I arrived in lorrach Germany on Thursday, spending the days with great friends exploring the small village the Lawyers live in. Eating German brats, running through fall foliage, exploring a castle, coaching basketball in German, having a girls and shopping at the local farmer's market. My heart was completely happy in Lorrach. But we've left Lorrach and began an adventure in the adventure.

Heavy from the day we make our winding way around the lake, with the village's lights laminating the hillsides and the billows being painted in a pink and blue sunset. Heavy from a filled day venturing through Swiss terrain.

We left lorrach late yesterday arvo, beginning our journey with a doner (or a kebab type gyro) our stomachs full we drove across the German border into the night, onto the winding ridiculous roads of the Swiss. Stopping briefly to see friends and Bryan pound's concert in beil. But we was a brief stop indeed for we still had to make our way onto are resting place. Stopping to get a map and key out of a mailbox in steffisburg you would think we were on a treasure hunt, in our massive van sneaking through skinny Swiss streets.

But finally we arrived at our destination, at nick's family's flat in thun. Our heads finally found our beds as we all slept sweetly. To wake up to today, a beautiful crisp fall morning here in the land of the swiss. We started it out with breakfast, family style at home of course, and then walked our way downtown for a cup of local coffee. After a bit of wandering my 3 friends and I decided we would wander else where, so we hoped back in our scooby-doo type mobile and drove straight for those glorious alps.

A train ride and a gondola we finally made our way 1950 meters sky high to the top of niederhorn. Frolicking around the peak and looking over sheer drops we communed on that peak, sipping Swiss hot chocolate and a macchiato. What a glorious, breath-taking view those snow capped peaks were, but it wasn't just looking out, it was always looking down across the thunersee lake and the villages that have planted themselves there.

Well we eventually tore ourselves off the mountain to carry on our way. In which we traveled to a nearby town, interlaken. Where we wandered, bought swiss souvenirs and drank gluhwein (mulled wine) with other tourists from all over the world.

And now we head back to our current home to make cheesy raclette for dinner.

still in London, but not for long...

As I write this I'm already feeling sleepy and my eyelids are getting heavy with knowing I need to be up by 5am tomorrow. So this may be another short blog ....

Tuesday and Wednesday were two days that were quite similar to one another. Nick had to work so he didn't have to play tour guide for another day, so I had two days to myself. I spent both of the days exploring and wandering aimlessly around London, getting lost only a handful of times :) I found myself in great local shops, stumbling upon hidden roads that have secrets that are dazzling. Although I must admit it to you both days I had starbucks cofffee :)

The packed filled streets of London continually keep me in a daze trying to figure out which direction is which and with buildings so tall you can't see the horizon and cloudy skies that block out the sun my sense of direction completely comes from within, which actually kept me from getting too terribly lost. Today I came across vintage thrift shops, a bubble tea shop, china town and a vegan, curry juice bar! All of which were great (and tasty if I made add) experiences!!

Tuesday and Wednesday evening were both similar as well, for I joined Nick to churchy things. Tuesday we went to his cell group and Wednesday we went to his church's 'Alpha' course. Both nights were so fantastic! I can't elaborate on how much I thoroughly enjoyed the company of these local English folk and hearing how God is working in their lives. It is such a blessing to get a front row seat to this London community forming out of Kings Cross. Such a blessing to hear individual's hearts as they wrestle with life just trying to pull themselves nearer to God and trying to live life as intentionally as possible with those around them.

And as I said, this will be a short blog, for I must go pack because tomorrow at 5:00am I am catching a bus to catch yet again another airplane. A week ago today I was in South Africa, today London, tomorrow Germany, Saturday Switzerland.

Nick and I are leaving London tomorrow to meet up with my good friends Janis and Christian. Were spending the weekend together in Switzerland and then I am staying an extra few days with them in Germany. My words cannot explain how happy my heart is too be seeing a dear friend!!

So this is what you have to look forward toward to, days hiking and exploring the Swiss alps, helping out with basketball ministry in Germany, more London exploration and then I'm planning a trip for Scotland that has to do with organic gardening, cooking and wildlife conservation! :D So I am thankful for these last days spent in the good company of Nick Mack in good 'ol London town and I am so anxious for the days to come!

But right now I'm ridiculously anxious for my pillow .... good night friends ... you'll be hearing from me soon ...

London on a Saturday

As I stood with my back against the timeless bricked building I felt as if I was in a dream I dreamt time and time again. To my right were the pinstriped tarps that covered the booths that overflowed with cheeses, olives, pastries, meats, clothes, bags – assortments of delicacies and delights. As people shopped around in their scarves and hats a couple of men played music. One on the fiddle, one on the guitar and harmonica – they played folk Irish music that would warm your heart on this brisk fall morning just as much as your espresso

There is warmth in the air, even in the midst of the fall here in London town, a warmth being spread from the people who love these lives that they live. It’s contagious.

I left the Broadway market, with a new wool/leather wallet, a macchiato and a feta filled pastry. And spent that afternoon at a local hipster-occupied coffee shop to try and get some things done.

After the perfect fall morning and a relaxed arvo we spent the evening with friends. Eating Japanese we were 3 Americans (although none of us have been back state side for a year or more), 1 English man, 1 from Venezuela and a German. From there we jaunted through town and buses to make our way to an old English pub for a birthday party.

Another day falling in love with this country and its culture, another day spent in good company,

Why hello London...

Well, it’s only my third day here in London town and I feel as if I have a lot to catch you up on! I arrived early Thursday morning, took the rest of that day pretty easy due to extreme exhaustion and than that evening Nick Mack (the bearded British gentleman I am staying with here in London) and I went to a live concert at an amazing venue. It really was a great day but I have much more to tell you about…

Friday morning Nick and I walked from his flat, through the narrow streets and through the local market to make our way to ‘Red Art’. This café blessed my first English morning with an amazing Turkish breakfast! Which could have been regarded as an omen for the rest of our day.

After that we had an amazing adventure navigating our way through a brisk, sunny London, walking our feet around the stained pavements and riding the red double-decker buses we eventually made our way through some of London’s most epic spots.

We went to Speakeasy Coffee; which is a rad shop where we made our own drip-brew coffee and was fortunate enough to taste the smoothness of a grand combination.

From there we toured more of Carnaby Street, checking out little shops. As we made our way down the hectic, people-filled street Nick lead us into Piccadilly Circus which was inspiring with its detailed architecture and statues. As we continued our journey we made our way through Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery and onto London's south bank.

The south bank easily became one of my favorite spots as it opened up to the beautiful river, The Thames, running right through London allowing you to see so much of this glorious city as if it was unfolding like the perfect display from a pop-up-book. At the south bank we ate dinner in the market, I found a little Polish stand and had some delicious eats and we treated ourselves to some divine mulled wine! Now at this point I was beyond happy, because of the market, the great treats and the incredible intoxicating atmosphere London gives off. But it didn’t take long for it to blow over…

Because right after we finished dinner I followed Nick back up to the Thames where we then ran into Big Ben and Westminster – which completely blew me away.

Some girls grow up dreaming about their wedding, about that entire day and every detail about it and when that day comes, it is exactly as they imagined… For me I grew up daydreaming about England, about Big Ben and the double decker buses, I fantasized about the fashion and the coffee and the invigorating vibe that the people of London lived in. And as I stared across the river at that massive clock shooting up in the starry night air with all its glory – it was indeed, everything I dreamed it would be. It was just as incredible, impressive and beautiful as I always knew it would be.

We closed our night by heading to a local pub in Dalston, with a glass of red wine and in good company I closed my second night in London. Knowing bigger adventures were on the horizon.

time to go...

Last night was my last South African braai. Possibly the last time I would see a handful of people that have become very dear to my heart.

I cried. There is a part of me that has no desire to leave Jbay.

and then I packed ....

And now this morning I am leaving, I am driving to Port Elizabeth and getting on that plane and flying to London.

This is the second time in my life I have had to say goodbye to this country I have grown so fond of. The first time I am saying hello to England.

I am excited. There is a part of me that is so over joyed because of this grand, unknown adventure.

and so now I go... because

C.S. Lewis once said, "There are better things ahead than any we leave behind" and I believe him.

Farewell South Africa ...

I can’t believe how fast this year went, how quickly the time passed. As I was running today through the streets of Jbay I took the route I always do one that sets me on top of the hill so I can look out over the lagoons. As I saw the lagoon as it meshed into the sea and the sea opened up into its endless depths that was the first time a tear fell from my eyes. I felt a stinging pain in my heart because I have to leave this land. I cannot explain to you how much I love this country and how easily I could stay here.

Although I love South Africa for a lot of different reasons for its people, culture and nature; there is something in me attached to South Africa and I do believe that it is the adventure. In my head South Africa was always the ultimate adventure, the country on the tip of Africa touching the world’s most southern sea. I would sit on the beach in Jeffreys and I would dream about jumping on one of those boats and heading straight south until we found pirates and penguins. To me South Africa was the gateway to the ultimate feats– and now I have to walk away from that door that rests at the world’s end. So I feel there is a right to mourn, to mourn for this epic challenge has come to a close.

And so now on this cloudy Tuesday when I have decided to fully embrace my lonesome blues because I am forced to wave goodbye to this country, to this season, I do wave with a longing. This year wasn’t an easy one for me and if you are close to me you heard some of my pains, but in those mountains of storm I never wanted to depart from this adventure but now the day has come and I have no idea how it came so quickly.

I think my goodbyes are so hard because I am used to going on an adventure and then going back to my ‘regular’ life – at least that was what I did from ages 13-21 and I feel as if that is what is happening now, but friends that’s not the case. I spent all of year 22 on the most epic, the most southern adventure I’ve ever had and now I’m entering into another adventure.

I am departing from South Africa tomorrow morning at 10:20 and flying into another grand escapade!! So follow me if you will, but here I jump from the southern sea and head towards the northern euro metropolis where I will explore for a month before heading back to Yankee soil.

Here’s the next few months of this adventure I call my life…

South Africa--> London --> Switzerland --> Germany --> London--> New York City --> Kansas City --> Phoenix --> Flagstaff, AZ --> Lincoln, NE --> Joplin, MO --> Lexington, NE --> California

Each spot will be an adventure all in its own, from spending time with old friends and new friends, to exploring European cultures, shopping and hiking and coffee tasting to eating Thanksgiving dinner with my family, to weddings, to surfing and snowboarding. Spending no longer than a week in each city I will be traveling constantly until mid-January, even then having no end in sight.

So Goodbye South Africa, we had a grand adventure you and I, thank you for always keeping me entertained, for teaching me about myself and for maturing me into the woman I am today. I gave you a piece of my heart and I plan on returning for it someday.

And now I look to you, Europe and America, so get ready and hold onto your pants because as soon as I hit your soil caffeinated, action packed, grand schemes are going to form and create the next, greatest adventure my life has seen!

Tea Party

I have slowly, but surely, been saying my goodbyes to individuals here. Tonight was my girls’ going-away party. A tea party decorated with burlap and lace, with the sweets and the wines glowing from the candles, it was a party that was precious and lovely. Not merely due to the serene surrounding I sat in, but due to the incredible women that joined me.

Nine ladies and myself. Nine women that I did not know this time last year, ranging from all different ages, all different life-stages – they are girls that have lived this last year of life with me. Each one of them has taught me something new, shown me something different.

We laughed a lot and we probably ate too much sugar, we chatted away and acted as girls do. But when the night came to a close, as these dear friends of mine prayed over me it was another string being hit – its time to leave Jbay. Whether I am willing, whether it is appealing, whether it is right or good – it is time.

Before the night completely closed, and we said our farewells, these sweet girls gave me letters and cards – items that mean the world to me. I can see each of their creativity, their uniqueness, their beauty; I can see their hearts through their words. And even though we only shared a year together, even though we only shared a hand full of meals together, a handful of memories; the words they spoke to me meant the world to me... and more.

I have yet to realize the grave impact each one of these women made on my life – and I am sure as I fly London bound on that airplane that I will see things in a new light and with tears in my eyes.

So tonight, night number 273 in South Africa – night number 5 for the countdown until I depart – my last Friday night in Jbay is a night I will never forget for the rest of my life. Because it doesn’t matter the mountains you hike, the horses you ride, the jail cells you dodge, the walls you climb – what matters are those tea parties that you have with those beautiful, amazing, God-fearing women that make you smile because they care so deeply, that make your eyes fill with tears because you find yourself in awe that God would bless you with such great company at a tea-lit tea party set by the sea.

Living the width of my life

The days are dwindling down for me over here in Africa. Slowly but surely October 15^th continues to approach, sitting right there around the corner he’s waiting for me. And what am I to do?! As I have a massive door to close behind me, this Jbay door of mine, I truly will struggle with closing and walking on – to walk down a hall filled with adventures and to walk towards a door that I don’t even recognize yet.

So what do I do?

I’m living it up, every piece of it! Because I am not merely living the length of my life, of my days, but I am living the width of it! Last Friday I went horse back riding here in the bay – a beautiful horse ride through green thickets, which broke open into sand dunes, exhilarating me with the feeling as if I were a desert rider. But soon enough the sea broke into view as it does every day here in the baai. And then my horse, Roxy, and I broke ahead of the group flying as fast as she could carry us down 10ks of beautiful South African beach.

This morning, just down the sand from where I rode Roxy I went for a surf. The only lonely surfer at the break that morning with a dark cloud raised above my head there were only small, soothing waves that brought me some comfort.

I can’t believe this year is behind me, I don’t know how the days flew by so quickly or how my 23^rd year approached so fast. But here I sit, 10 months living as a South African surfer down, 8 days away from an epic European adventure, a month away from my 23^rd and a mere 35 days until I am back on American soil.

For now I reminisce on the great days, the adventures, the challenges, the hardships that South Africa brought me. I’ll process some more and tell you my findings. For now I look anxiously ahead at this hallway of adventure that is guiding me through 6 countries, 7 states and 3 months of a suitcase as a closet. I’ll keep you filled in on every step of the way. For now I look cautiously, curiously at the door that awaits me to open it come February 2012 a door that I don’t even know what color it is, hopefully through these upcoming ventures I will figure out what that door looks like and build up the strength to open it. And I am already excited to let you know what lies behind that door.