#60 Another Weekend Dance Party
01 March 2013 // Johannesburg, South Africa
These girls are always singing, stomping, and dancing. And their song selection is pretty diverse- Rhianna, church hymns, and the South African national anthem.
#61 Saucy Steak
02 March 2013 // Johannesburg, South Africa
Jay took me out for lunch to get a proper South African steak. This one came smothered in Madagascar green pepper sauce, and was fantastic. This + Thai food earlier = first food coma in a while.
#62 Sunday Playtime
03 March 2013 // Johannesburg, South Africa
There was a lot of hanging out going on in the courtyard after church. And on Sundays, they wear pink.
#63 Simangele
04 March 2013 // Johannesburg, South Africa
Afternoons in the play room… there’s a lot going on.
#64 Neo
05 March 2013 // Johannesburg, South Africa
One of the oldest guys at the centre. I’ve been mentoring him since arriving. He’s hoping to go to join the Air Force to become a pilot when he’s done with school.
#65 The Little Ones
06 March 2013 // Johannesburg, South Africa
There’s nothing quite like the unbridled enthusiasm that the kids in the creche shower me with.
#66 The Smoke That Thunders
07 March 2013 // Livingstone, Zambia
Got an awesome view of the spray from the Victoria Falls rising up from my window seat on my flight to Livingstone. This was amazing.
#67 Quiet Livingstone
08 March 2013 // Livingstone, Zambia
Although it’s one of the larger and more known Zambian towns, Livingstone is still quite small and quiet. Definitely a contrast to my part two months in Johannesburg.
#68 Victoria Falls
09 March 2013 // Livingstone, Zambia
This was awesome. I cannot believe I actually got to see this in person.
#69 Behind the Mosquito Net
10 March 2013 // Livingstone, Zambia
After spending my Sunday morning visiting a Zambian church for the local experience, I spent the rest of the day chilling at the hostel. A contributing factor: my shoes, drying out in the window remained wet from the Victoria Falls’ spray.
#70 Fawlty Towers
11 March 2013 // Livingstone, Zambia
Although I had to do the Zambia trip alone, I managed to pick the perfect hostel for meeting cool people- namely some British NGO workers doing neat things.
#71 Mosi Oa Tunya
12 March 2013 // Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Went back to see the Falls- but this time from the Zimbabwean side. I hoped that it would be easy to cross into Zimbabwe, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was as easy as taking a walk.
#72 Chobe National Park
13 March 2013 // Chobe National Park, Botswana
Got to get up close and personal with some elephants, and other wonderful African beasts on a game drive and river cruise in Botswana.
#73 Joburg Return
14 March 2013 // Johannesburg, South Africa
Back to the centre for one final week… ready to take in as much quality time with the kids as possible.
#74 A TOMS Delivery
15 March 2013 // Johannesburg, South Africa
First time seeing the other side of TOMS’ One for One program when boxes arrived at the centre. Simphiwe and the others are all looking trendy in their new TOMS shoes.
#75 Saturday at the Centre
16 March 2013 // Johannesburg, South Africa
Collins looking on as everyone else kicks around soccer balls. Its some of these ordinary scenes that I’m really going to miss when I leave the centre.
#76 Arts On Main
17 March 2013 // Johannesburg, South Africa
I FINALLY got to check out Arts on Main’s Sunday Market. In the middle of Joburg’s gritty centre city is the gentrified artsy trendy precinct of Maboneng. A foodie’s dream!
#77 Supporter Supper
18 March 2013 // Johannesburg, South Africa
Probably one of the most chaotic- although fun days at the centre… the supporter supper! Awesome food, great conversations, and some fun performances from the kiddos.
#78 The Guys of 5Cees
19 March 2013 // Johannesburg, South Africa
Leaving the centre is not going to be easy. This is why.
#79 Pastor Mike
20 March 2013 // Johannesburg, South Africa
Pastor Mike Sunker, founder and director of 5Cees, is definitely a hero of mine. Listening to him tell me about his visits to the townships and his plans to move to the centre to spend more time with the kids was super inspiring. Through action, he’s taught me a lot about having vision and being present.
#80 Departures & Arrivals
21 March 2013 // Amsterdam, Netherlands
My favorite part about airports are how the people there are from anywhere and everywhere.
#82 Homecoming Pho
22 March 2013 // San Diego, California
My first meal out upon returning to the US? No big surprise…
#82 Time to Run
23 March 2013 // San Diego, California
Training for the Color Run- first bit of real exercise after almost a year without! Since I can use whatever motivation I can get, I picked up some new running shoes. Appropriately neon enough for the Color Run.
#83 Coffee Shop Walls
24 March 2013 // San Diego, California
Not so fond of working inside the house, so I use that as my excuse to go coffee shop hunting.
#84 Coronado Dinner
25 March 2013 // Coronado, California
Went out for a pretty nice dinner at Coronado with Jeremy and family… great seeing him again!
#85 Morning Run Companion
26 March 2013 // San Diego, California
Ran into this guy while on my morning run at the lake. Not quite as good of a running partner as a dog.
#86 Reunited!
27 March 2013 // Goleta, California
It’s been far too long since I’ve seen either of these two! How to celebrate? Revisiting the site of a great evening hangout, one year before.
#87 The Wurst Double Date
28 March 2013 // Santa Barbara, California
Got to go on a double date with Derek and Holly while in Santa Barbara, and really enjoyed the new sausage restaurant we found on State.
#88 Sriracha Lays
29 March 2013 // Santa Barbara, California
Finally found ’em. I’ve been trying to hunt these down since returning to the USA. How am I suppose to vote for my favorite flavor if I can’t try ’em all? True democracy demands access… also, they were out of the chicken and waffles flavor.
#89 Lake Arrowhead
30 March 2013 // Lake Arrowhead, California
Had an awesome day exploring Lake Arrowhead with Deanna and family. Nature walks, wine tasting… pretty much a blast.
#90 Dorner Family Cabin
31 March 2013 // Santa Barbara, California
Deanna’s aunt and uncle totally spoiled us during our time at the lake. It was pretty wonderful.