Ah South Africa, the first country to truly reach the depth of my soul! I have shed tears of joy, tears of clarity, wisdom, connection...an awakening of the spirit that recognized the beating of the drums from the very start. I was home in South Africa and my spirit somehow new and revealed it to me throught my visit.

The very first day I took part in a project for Habitat For Humanity which was building a home in a local neighborhood of Mfuleni ( I think that's how it's spelled). I had a wonderful time and spent most of it painting and playing with the local children. The nearby neighbors did all they could to make us feel comfortable and coocked us an amazing meal (chicken, rice and vegetables) and the occasional snack (bread and home-made juice/soft drinks). Habitat for Humanity has build a lot of new homes in the area which is such a blessing to the families considering how difficult it is to afford one. The children are adorable and gravetate to foreigners. They usually receive many gifts like stickers and pens and lots of play time and hugs. Most of the time they don't ask for anything and just want to be hugged or carried. Their smiles are of the brightest sun and their eyes filled with dreams and hope, some more than others.

That night I would go dancing to a spot called Mama Africas in Long Street. It was a great place with one of the best bands I've ever seen. A fusion of African vibes and popular music. The band whose name I do not recall where amazing musicians...they had a singer with an amazing range, a few marimba players, a trumpet player, a sax player, a drummer...They were incredible! We (tatiana, sassa, jade and I) ended up making friends with them and found ourselves dancing through the night often showcasing our skills on stage! ;) The crowd loved it! ;)haha You know me, I gotta dance! ;) hahalol

It was a wonderful night and I had great conversations and sweated a lot! (My work out for the day)lol

The next day I took off for my Safari in Pilanesberg....Wow!!!! We took a flight to Joburg (Johannesburg) that took about 2 hours and then a drive that took about 3 hours to the game lodge called Ivory Tree Lodge. You must go!!!!!!! It is absolutely beautiful. My room was amazing! Comfortable beds, modern bathrooms with a huge bathtub, two sinks, a separate room for the toilet and guess what....and outdoor shower!!!! ;) yup! ;) Just lovely. Pilanesberg has mountains which is a great set up for sunsets and sunrises and all in between. We had game drives about 2 times a day in an open jeep (our guide's name is Alicia). She was super nice and we got to see animals up close (for most of the time). I was surprised and happy to have seen so many lions. They are usually one of the hardest to see but somehow we got lucky and saw many, some even while mating. ;) They were only but a few feet away, breathtaking!!!! ;) The lodge is small yet classy. They have a beautiful pool, great food, amazing service and a view to die for (you can see elephants from the pool who live in the mountains)...Crazy!

They also have a great spa which I took advantage of. ;) I took a 3 hour treatment which rubbed me down, cacooned me in all natural soft lotion...I had my own room with glass walls so you can see the beauty outside, there was also an outside shower and bathtub which I soaked in for about 40 minutes drenched in bubbles and minerals while snacking on fresh fruit with whipped cream and bottled water. I sat there listening to the animals in the forrest, feeling the cool wind caress my moit body...It was lovely. After that I had a great full body massage!!!! ;) Loved it!!!!!!

The last day in South Africa I went to a Township...this is when my soul was touched!!! I went to a Township called Khayelisha, forgive me if I spelled it wrong. Our first stop was Vicky's Bed and Breakfast, which was mind blowing for me considering that I had heard about the place years ago in the US and told myself that I would go there one day!!!! I couldn't believe that I was there, standing in her living room, visiting the space, speaking with her and hugging her child! But I was and it wasn't a dream. I just felt proud and blessed to be there and knew I was on the right path in my life. It feels like everyday I get some kind of reassurance that I'm moving towards the right direction and it's a great feeling!That day we also visited a local market located inside a Sunday school that was situated in front of a church. Children were practicing their songs, wearing their best gear, looking beautiful and full of hope. Singing in a language I did not understand, except for the occasional English song praising God. I let myself get carried away in their voices and decided not to take pictures and not to video tape every minute but just take it all in and engrave it in my mind rather than in technological equipment. At the end I asked their music teacher to tell them I said thank you and that to always remember that they are beautiful and that they sounded like angels. They sweetly responded with a thank you and were the best-behaved children I've seen so far in South Africa. I decided to go across the street to the church. I sat in the back where there were a few empty seats and felt completely welcomed. I didn't care that I was probably seen as a tourist or foreigner but I completely drenched myself in the spirit and allowed myself to be open and vulnerable to the experience. As they started to sing in harmony and we bowed our heads in prayer, I became emotional and open, translucent with my prayers and my feelings, tears began to flow from my eyes, still shut but I never looked up to wipe them off, didn't care if others were watching or not, I gave myself to that moment and it touched me in a very deep way. After that we also visited another church. It was there, watching the people, the generosity, the fulfillment in their hearts regardless of the little that they had. I was connected to Africa; I was home. My unconscious shifted to a place otherwise not known to me and I felt that innately, instinctively my soul could recognize the energy that was once and still is a part of me. I felt compelled to tears of joy and pure recognition that I was being taken to a place that would completely change my existence on this earth forever. I watched complete strangers hug and not let go, kiss and smile together, share life stories, pray together, cry together, feel together, celebrate together, join together and give all that they have regardless of how much or how little that may be. My tears created out of an indescribable feeling, neither of sadness or profound joy but more of an upliftment of awareness that I was here at this very place aware and awaken and alive...feeling so alive so connected to humanity!That afternoon I walked the streets with the locals, enjoying their Presidential Election Rally. It was magical...men, women, children of all ages wearing shirts of their favorite party candidate, honking their car horns in the streets, loaded in rented buses waving flags and signs, wanting to take pictures with me and befriend me...true genuine friendship with no regards, no agendas just pure interest in getting to know someone's heart! I did not want to leave but I had to. My experience in South Africa was a unique one. Filled with dance and music, wild animals at my fingertips, endless stars above me and me starring to the sky in awe of its beauty. I met great people, one who offered to pay my way if I moved to South Africa for at least a while, a sweet guy, and an amazing musician. Two other guys who befriended complete strangers, took care of us and were not pushy but kind and great company. The people of the townships who opened their homes for strangers to experience. Who opened their lives and hearts and took risks to grow their own business, strong black women who alone decided to take a stand and create a capital making system for the community by opening up Bed and Breakfast locations in their own homes. The endless love of the children who yearn for your embrace as they hook their arms around your neck and hold on for dear life! ;) Who kiss you and hug you and ask you questions and hold your hand as to ask you to never let go...to be honest I didn't want to let go anyway! ;) The Habitat for Humanity Project, who always gives so much in return and rearranges villages and brings hope to a community, warmth to a family as they sleep at night for the very first time in a place unlike their old tin made homes. Who can now have heated water and cook inside the home and turn on the lights and bathe in a bathroom. To the people that volunteer in these projects and give back without expecting any recognition or monetary award in return. I fell in love with South Africa and my soul screams "RETURN"...and I will listen, I promise! ;)