We hiked to the top of the highest peak in the Limpopo Province, a mile high and five miles to get there, most of it we got up on the first day. The plan had been to stay on the very top, but it was getting dark so we pitched camp a little early. I had considered what the ground was going to be like, where the flattest spot was with as little bumps as possible when setting up our tent, but I hadn't considered the wind. We stayed and looked at the stars for a while before going to bed, they were gorgeous, once in our tent the wind started caving the tent in it was so strong. Courtney and I figured how to make it work, we put our headphones in and were finally going to sleep when we heard "Courtney!". Well she heard it at least, I was already asleep except I felt bumping and a lot of moving around, and in my mind Courtney was getting a little to close. Turned out Shea and Kristen had pitched their tent a little below us beside a rock so the wind wouldn't be so bad, the wind basically created a vortex and broke the tent. So all four of us were in a four men tent, which the "four men tent" is really for three people or two people and their belongings. But luckily it was cold outside so we were nice and warm.
Next morning had breakfast, and hiked about an hour more up to the top. And was so beautiful!!! You could see for miles in Africa. It's amazing the sights I've seen when it comes to the mountains here, it doesn't seem like Africa. Some seem like I'm in Ireland or Scotland others seem like Australia.
On the way back down my shoe was falling apart the sole was coming off so, we used hair bands to hold it on and every thirty minutes I'd have to stop to fix it. And they weren't even my shoes. I felt so terrible. Most of the the hike we literally rocked climbed up and rock climbed down. At one point we were hanging of the side of a mountain with no ropes attached. But I can say this, it was AMAZING!!!! My adventure streak is so coming out more and more. There were a couple things that made it better, 1) there is no water facets up there, we were literally in the middle of no where so we got our water from the mountain spring, and the many waterfalls. 2) I had been struggling up, I had gotten overheated and at one point was like I can't do this. We got to our camp site and after setting up I went with my Bible to a rock and read. I opened it and came across Jeremiah 12:5 "If you have raced with men on foot
and they have worn you out,
how can you compete with horses?
If you stumble in safe country,
how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?"
So that being said I decided I needed to work out more for the next hike. Amazing what God shows you.
Okay so that was the hiking trip. As you know we are on base and have a holiday, we've been doing little odd jobs and we got to pave the preschool with bricks! So cool!!!! But Thursday we drove three hours and went to the mall. First thing we did was get a fresh "Cinnabon", oh we were so happy! We drew names for presents so we went shopping. I had Eggs Benedict( my favorite) and strong, none instant coffee for lunch. Best lunch ever! Then Jordan, Courtney and I all went to go see the "Hobbit". Haha, we got in and sat down and the movies started "Well Frodo, its time I tell you a story(however it starts)"....screen goes green....for thirty minutes. And all I could think was TIA( this is Africa), so once they got back working they skipped through the previews, and started the movie again! And all I can say is, it was awesome!!!! Best movie I had seen in a while. It was a nice breath fresh air to be able to go through the mall alone, do what I wanted to do, go see a movie, hang out with Courtney and have lunch with the girls. All the while knowing I could break off by myself if I wanted. Freedom as a female I'm learning is something I've taken for granted. We can't go anywhere off base without a guy and we can't go with a guy by ourselves so we have to go in threes. I knew coming here and being in Kenya that was going to happen, but it never occurred to me how long of it. The mall was decked out in Christmas decorations and Christmas music in the back ground. "I'll Be Home for Christmas" is another thing bringing on a whole new meaning. I'm not as home sick as I thought, my heavenly Father has blessed me in that. But I know I'm where he wants and I think that's one reason I'm not as homesick. Plus, I can keep in contact very easily. Merry Christmas!!! The pictures below are of the hike, I'll try to do them in order of time. Starting from the beginning...a very good place to start.
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