Bula!

MONDAY, 16 MAY 2011

Bula!

On my break home a friend (actually my sister's friend) suggested I write a blog from Swaziland, and I thought this was a great idea, so I did so. This is for my friends in Fiji who want to keep in touch and see what its like to stay and learn here. (if you do not fit in this category just go away! feel free to read anyways)

Swaziland(NOT Switzerland) is a little country, smaller than Fiji which is right beside South Africa. It is a kingdom, and one of the last absolute monarchies in the world. But yeah, it is a very nice place. Some days it can be hotter than home, and some days can be FREEZING cold. (ever stepped into the freezer at Cost You Less? Yeah, something like that) This term is winter- should be fun! Um, over here I have seen zebras, ostriches, crocodiles, warthogs, monkeys and even a few dogs (yes Fazil, dogs!), and apparently there are lions, rhinos, buffalos and more to be seen around the country.  

One bad thing about this place is getting here from Fiji. The two countries are literally on opposite sides of the world, and getting here took:

Swaziland Flag

• 10 hours flight to Hong Kong
• 9 hours layover in Hong Kong
• 13 hours flight to Johannesburg
• 7 hours waiting for the school bus to arrive
• 7 hours bus ride to the school

= 46 hours travelling! (and if you add the 3 hour drive to Nadi makes over 2 full days!)

Wasn't that bad of a trip though. Chatting to a Malaysian lady on the way to Hong Kong, as well as making friends with a little Russian-Samoan toddler in the seat in front of me. Spent the trip talking, doing some last minute homework, watching Laughing Samoans' 'prettyful woman' and staring at the back of the seat in front of me. 

In Hong Kong I got lost in the streets (couldn't resist going into town) but luckily had lots of time to get back to the airport for my flight. It's such a big place I could not find the LaCoste cap I was looking for! (or perhaps I'm just a terrible shopper)

Waiting for my flight to Johannesburg, which left at midnight, I was so tired, surfed the net on the free and extremely quick Hong Kong internet and was so afraid of falling asleep before my flight left! (Thank you Fay for chatting to me on Fb and keeping me awake! ;)

Finally arrived in Jo'burg and met Sophia(USA) and Jen(Cayman Islands) at the foodcourt, where we were joined by more and more fellow students throughout the day. Bus left at 2 oclock in the afternoon, and after a long trip, arrived at school at around 9pm.

Term 2 starts tomorrow (sorry for missing term 1) at Waterford Kamhlaba (thats my school name, by the way. kamhlaba= 'of the world' in Swazi). NOT looking forward to more work! :P But boy, its an amazing place! Its situated on this HUGE mountain about 10 minutes from Mbabane, capital of Swaziland. On the right days you can look across to the town and see nothing but cloud cover beneath us!(see below) Over here we have 110 students from about 60 different countries. 

looking down the mountain from just near the cafeteria. (Eli's photo)

Ok, more updated now? Will try to update this blog hourly daily weekly or more and keep in touch as much as possible! 

DKN