I'M HERE

What a feeling!!! I'm here! In SOUTH AFRICA! Madness. The flight was surprisingly pretty painless. South African Airways is really nice. The plane was very comfortable, the attendants very hospitable and the food delicious. I watched "300" and a couple of other current films. I slept a bunch, of course. My connection was seamless - nothing out of the ordinary. I sat between 2 South Africans who made me even more aware that where I'm going is incredibly unsafe. The woman told me an associate of hers was shot at in Khayelitsha last week. The man, an economics professor at the University, explained to me about some of the prevalant social issues and the HUGE disparity between the wealthy and the poor here and the unrest its caused. All issues I will see firsthand. (Note: I will be staying in a closed compound when I'm in Khayelitsha and transported to and from the orphanage in a secure vehicle.)

I was "collected" at the airport by Ursula - a very nice South African native who gave me a tour of the house I'll be living in and got me situated. The house fits 16 - there are only girls here now - about 9. I don't know if there will ever be another boy here...but I'm used to chillin' with the ladies. ;-) They already imparted alot of advice to me and asked me to join them tomorrow night for dinner and a night on the town. I'm going to join some of the other volunteers on a tour of the Western Cape tomorrow - it's supposed to be some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. It's spring here now and the wildflowers are all in bloom on the coast. I'll be sure to take pictures.

I got a SIM card for my phone - here's my number:

078-7052388

I'm not sure what additional numbers you need to put in front so I would check before you call. I can take incoming calls free of charge and send texts but it's too expensive to make calls from it so I'll get a calling card. Feel free to call or email whenever! I'd love to hear from you!!! I'm going to shower now and go to bed. It's 12:08am here. I'll post again soon.