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Last week TTS41 embarked on another expedition – a backpacking trip! On our 3 day and 2 night adventure we enjoyed the beauty of the Blyde River conservation area. Its rolling grassy hills with sprinkled flowers caught our eyes with views around every corner.

Check out the itinerary from our trip:

On day 1 we were dropped off at the trailhead by Big Blue and hiked about 3km. We arrived to our sleep spot for the night and had a couple of classes while enjoying another gorgeous view and sunset.

Day 2 began with an early wake up and departing camp at 7 am to hike about 13km! On the hike we encountered some baboons in the distance but had fun singing to keep them away. The rest of the day consisted of a couple sunburns, a charcuterie lunch, and and some mermaid time in a nearby swim spot! We managed to avoid predicted rain in the day but it did visit us right after sunset, where we had to move inside our hut.

On day 3 we departed again around 7 am for about another 13km to hike. Around our last hour of the hike we had some storm clouds creep over the hills and followed us out! They came with a bit of thunder and lightning as well. Our pace soon became a speed walk trying to avoid rain and reach where Big Blue would pick us up, and we were happy to make it back to the bus safe and dry with smiles on our faces!

Thanksgiving Plans

Thanksgiving for TTS students is going to consist of a final, as we are now in finals week. We will stay grateful for our opportunity of education on this day! We will also be celebrating another very special event – Julia’s birthday! We are currently staying with Alex, a long time TTS friend who is cooking amazing meals for us this week, and we will celebrate Thanksgiving with a dinner together and a special moment for gratitude. As our semester is coming to an end, we hope this day can be a special time to reflect on our wonderful community we have formed the past few months. Our day also might consist of a bit of the history of Thanksgiving. We were planning to go abseiling, but due to rain we are now going to move those plans to Friday.

Student Reflections

What is something you are grateful for?

Olive: “I am grateful that we get to celebrate with our chosen family away from home!”

Catherine: “I’m grateful for our group’s capability to maintain positive attitudes in difficult situations!”

Julia: “I’m grateful for our fearless daily-lead, Sophie (teacher), who safely led our group out of an approaching thunderstorm!”

Sophie: “I’m grateful for how safe, comfortable, accepting and loving our group has become.”

Charity: “I am grateful to be traveling within Southern Africa with this amazing group of people, which now are like my family, seeing and having fun together.”

Betty: “I am grateful for this awesome group of people that has formed into such a wonderful community.”

Taran: “I am so grateful to my parents for giving me the opportunity to meet these amazing people. It has been an amazing experience.”

Marina: “I am grateful for the kindness, flexibility, and resiliency of the group that I am lucky to have found myself in.”

Annie: “I’m grateful for our amazing teachers who have been such a huge part of this experience! :)”

Laila: “I am grateful for the world and nature around us, whether it’s the people at home or the nature of South Africa.”

Ale’a: I am extremely appreciative for my parents and family for supporting me in this opportunity that I am forever grateful for.”

What is one of your favorite TTS memories?

Annie: “My favorite memory is when we went to the salt pans! The drive was so cool and we learned all about the environment. I saw the 2 biggest elephants Ive ever seen! We saw meerkats on the same day! A watering hole had farm animals and wild animals in the same space, it was so amazing! Then I saw the most beautiful sunset of my life! After, we played soccer under the moonlight! Finishing the night off, we slept under the stars!”

Taran: “My favorite memory was going on the Orange River because we got to be in the water all day and sleep under the stars. I really liked playing games around the fire with our guides!”

Sophie: “One of my favorite TTS memories is our poetry night. It was so special to be vulnerable enough to share a personal work of art that we poured out heart and soul into when we had only known each other for a month.”

Laila: “One of my favorite memories so far is when we were backpacking in the Blyde River Canyon and we had to sing “Let It Go” at the top of our lungs to scare away baboons. It is really nice to feel so comfortable in this community!”

Julia: “One of many amazing memories I have made this semester was at the end of our recent backpacking trip along the Blyde River. It was day three of a three day adventure, lunchtime was approaching quickly, and so were dark clouds with a side of lightning. In that quick moment of fear where our bodies felt rather exposed to the power of mother nature, we saw an angel drive by: it was Big Blue. Our fearless daily leader, Sophie, took this opportunity to immediately call Ellē who was riding Big Blue. She arranged for the truck to find a turnaround point and meet us as close as possible. At that point, everyone was performing as we almost jogged from the trail to the road. Finally, when we boarded Big Blue safe and sound right before the clouds released their rain, I felt a rush of gentle gratitude for the whole group to push through, even though the “hanger” (hungry and angry).

Written by Ale’a

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