Shell's First Post

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Hello! I am guess blogging today on Claire’s blog. Today marks a week that we have been here in South Africa and a much needed week it has been. Time, movement, activities happen at their own, slower, pace here in South Africa, and I for one have been grateful for it. I have not had a proper vacation in close to 2 years and all this week, I have felt all the stresses that have built up in between, slowly melt away. It is so nice to wake up every morning and take our breakfast on our balcony, hearing the roar of the ocean and catching bits of the waves. Our flat faces east and we welcome the sun every morning over coffee, with shades on.

It is so nice to be able to walk where we are volunteering, setting out each morning to be greeted by hungry penguins. They are the darlings of our day for sure. After we help out there where we can we have frequently went and hung out on the beach, daring to play in the cold blue-green waves, or just lying on the almost deserted beach to let the sun warm our skin. I love it here. For one, I can lie out on the beach for an hour and not get blistered by the sun. Never have we been on such friendly terms and indeed my skin shows it’s appreciation by sporting tons of freckles. I love to be spotted!

The little village here is incredibly dog friendly, in fact sometimes there are more dogs at the pub downstairs than people. The dogs are well cared for here and love to play on the beach with their owners. There is one cute little white dog that has taken a fancy to lying around the beach with us when we are there. Twice now it has just come over and then proceeds to lie on whatever body or towel it takes its mind to. I am a bit stricter about it getting me all sandy so it snuggles up to Claire more. So cute and sweet though. I love that we have our own beach dog. It makes me long for my own to be here with me.

As it happens in all small villages, everyone here knows everyone else and they are a tight knit community and they help each other and even Claire and I out whenever we have need. It feels really nice to be in such a place and there is not a lot of drama that we have observed so far. This place really is relaxing and idyllic. Especially the amazing sunsets!

We have been slowly getting everything in place, our lab is set up and we are slowly familiarizing ourselves with protocols there, as well as slowly learning how to care for the penguins that are at the center. This slowness is a good thing as it has taken almost all of this week for us to adapt to this time change. I have had trouble falling asleep at night and both of us would sleep longer in the morning if we could, me in particular, having a time of it to get out of bed. But today was much easier and I think my body is finally getting into the rhythm of being six hours ahead. Next week, when I know I can get up in time, I am going to start my yoga practice again in the mornings. I can’t wait to greet the sun each day in sun-salutation! In the meantime I am enjoying my long soothing walks down the beach. Today I am going to try and time my walk with high-tide.

Our downstairs neighbor, Sam, who makes his living as a guitarist and singer (as well as local handy man) is hosting some lesser known American musician tonight and he has invited Claire and I. It will be or first Braai (we know it as a Bar-B-Q) here and promises to be a fun night with musical jamming and good food. I am excited to go as it seems Sam is a bit of a local legend when it comes to guitar.

Oh and if you had any doubt that Claire can sleep anywhere. Here she is collecting impressed looks from everyone that saw her at the Amsterdam Airport.

Okay well that is all from me for now. Until then, cheers! Michaelle