We are still doing well here in Swaziland.  It has been quite the blur, but things are going well.  I am tired, but we have met some really amazing people.  We have tonight to just relax and chill for a few hours with just each other, which will be nice.  Here are just a few highlights from our journey along the way.

1. African wild game – We got invited to a brae the other night complete with impala and warthog.  The impala was good (similar to steak but a lot tastier).  The warthog was okay, but not my favorite.  It tasted like smoked pork with a lot more fat.

2. Coffee and tea – These seem to be regular staples around here.  You go into a home or place of business and are immediately offered coffee and tea.  I actually had four cups of coffee today!  Quite different from in the states.  However, the coffee is mostly instant (which is actually another first for me – and not a huge fan!).  There have been a few stops along the way to have French press coffee, and that is a welcomed change.   The family we stayed with last night had French press coffee and it was fantastic!

Mmm…so much better than the instant stuff! 

3.  Tourists – When looking back at the camera today of pictures we have taken thus far I realized something…we haven’t snapped a lot of pictures.  I think this is because we haven’t felt like tourists, it just feels so natural to be here.  It is very strange to be in a foreign country, a days travel from your home and not feel like a tourist (or outsider).

4.  People – The people here are amazing.  So hospitable and friendly and relaxed.  The pace of life is much less stressful and busy than the USA.  There are also a lot of Expats here in Swaziland.  We have met a lot of people from the UK and Canada while visiting various places.  Speaking of people, while at a school the other day I was introduced to a princess who attends the school.  Kind of random, but fun!  We also met a pastor (who we were intending to meet with later in the week) and he asked us if we wanted to go to lunch.  We agreed and along the way somehow ended up on a safari with him!  Crazy!

5.  Pineapple – Did you know that pineapple grow on a bush thing and not a tree?  I didn’t until just yesterday when we drove past fields of pineapple plants.  Quite fascinating.

6.  Homesteads – Poverty here is much different than elsewhere.  It doesn’t show up in the center of cities like in most places or even in the towns.  Most people live on homesteads across the rural area (mud huts and subsistence living).  A homestead is a small plot of land where an extended family all live together.  So rather than having villages they have scattered homesteads. 

We head home in a week.  It is crazy to think a week has already gone by.  Here are a couple of photos.

Nothing like an avocado tree growing in your backyard!

Bulembu Sunset

Roof of an open grass hut.  Regular huts are constructed from mud, stone and sticks with this type of roof. 

Isn’t it beautiful? 

Random toilet paper holder…wouldn’t you love to have one of these in your bathroom?

After an entire day of travel (plus some really when you figure in drive time today), we made it to Swaziland.  No major hang-ups (you can read about some driving excitement here if you wish).  As for jet lag, we haven’t experienced too much.  We had a little trouble sleeping last night but I think that was more to do with excitement, thoughts about Mikayla, etc than anything else.  We purposely stayed up all day today so we could sleep well tonight.  This was a huge feat for me because I have what Ben calls “car narcolepsy”.  Meaning I tend to fall asleep the moment I hit the car!  I made it four hours today without sleeping…go me!

Ben and I have a running joke that we will have the cleanest windshield wipers in all of Swaziland because every time he reaches for the turn signal he hits the windshield wipers.  You see, everything is backwards when you drive on the left hand side of the road, including where the turn signal is.  It is very comical!

We drove a lot today, so tomorrow will be our first day of seeing the country and really getting a feel for life and people here.  We will try and get some pictures up later, but for now I must sleep.  Good night (or good afternoon to all you Kentuckians)!