Marc's African Adventure: Part One (August 6, 2005)

Hello Everyone!

I am indeed in Johannesburg and enjoying the South African winter. Temperature at mid-day is about 25 degrees and it goes down to about 10 degrees at night. Warmdays and comfortable nights. Very nice! It's also very sunny and dry everyday.


However, this holiday isn’t all fun and games. Getting two 175 pound powered wheel chairs across 3 1/2 continents isn't that easy. Thankfully, the airport people were as helpful as they were confused and we managed to get here safe with all our pieces.

The family we're staying with is Paul and GIfts' brother Joseph and his wife, Rachel. They have been very generous with food and we're staying in their guesthouse in a beautiful suburban neighborhood. Because of the high crime rate, each house is shielded with a 6 foot brick fence and electrical wire, and dogs, lots of dangerous dogs everywhere. At least I feel safe, or do I?....

Working on my Zulu!

Hope your well,
marC

p.s.
If you want a postcard, I’ll be more than happy get send you one, please send me your mailing address.

RESPONSES
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From sister Amanda (August 6, 2005)
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Hi Marc,
I'm happy to hear you're having a great time so far.
Appreciate every moment you have there...you'll see
how fast time will pass.
Send me a postcard please!!!

Mandy
xoxo

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From friend Pedro (August 6, 2005)
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i want a postcard....

Pedro D. Julian

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From Bryson's brother Jon (August 6, 2005)
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Hey Marc!!
That's awesome man, great to hear you're all safe, send my love to Bryson, I will send him an email at some point. Say hi to Paul and Gift too.

take care,
Jon

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From friends Lydia and Chris (August 6, 2005)
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Hey Marc!
How's it going? Thanks so much for keeping us posted! Hope you are enjoying the Country and culture! We're doing well.. can't believe you're in Africa!! That's so cool!! We were hoping to see you at the Games! Sorry we didn't get a chance to say goodbye!

Please send a postcard:
Lydia and Chris Johnstone

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From friend Nan (August 7, 2005)
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Hey Marc,
I am so happy that you are ok and safe there. I am
so excited for your adventure and also feel so sorry
for your hard work there. But it is worth to go and
to see what the third world looks like. I would like
to have a postcard from you if you can.

Good luck and stay safe,
Nancy

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From friend Tim (August 7, 2005)
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Hey Marc,
Glad to hear you're having a good time. Listen... I want a postcard too. But I want my own postcard. Don't send one to Pedro and just slap my name on it right before you send it. Well I hope to hear from you soon.

TIM

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From friend Christina Zevilone (August 7, 2005)
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Hey Marc!
Do ya wanna send me a postcard?
Well its up to you, if you do cool, if not thats ok, if you want I can send you one when youre off going to school, how sounds that?
talk to you laters!
hope you enjoy Africa!!!!!!!!!

love Christina
Byeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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From friend Kerubo (August 7, 2005)
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Hallo dear,
glad to see that you are fine.
missing you tonnes

always
kerubo

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From friend Yee-kit (angie) (August 7, 2005)
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Hi Marc,
Glad to know that you landed safely in Johannesburg. The winter there sounds like normal summer temperature in Montreal!
Yeah please send me a postcard, I'd love one!
my grandparents in HK will come to visit us for a month, I'll be quite busy accompanying them and getting ready for school.
I love reading your life in SA, please keep writing as often as you can!

take care,
Angie

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From mother Nicole (August 8, 2005)
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Bonjour Marc,
Merci pour ton appel, nous souhaitant "Bon Voyage"..
Là c'est moi, qui a chaud, l'eau me coule sur le visage, comme toi, lorsque tu étais à fermer ta valise...c'est pas drôle!!! hein!
Eh bien, Salut, et je vais t'écrire...

Maman

P.S. J'ai appelé Zibu, ce matin, pour l'inviter le 27 aout avec Roger, pour souper, mais j'ai laissé le message sur le répondeur....

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From Ultimate Camp Massawippi Counselor Beck (August 10, 2005)
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marc you crazy kid!
YOUR ON MY SIDE OF THE EQUATOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i forgot you were gonna go to south africa! oh man i thought it was just a crazy idea that wouldnt really eventuate!
You rock young man!

Before i forget...give paul and gift the hugest ...okay huge gentle hug and give gift a big girly kiss on the cheek...promise....i think about them both just about every day.
tell gift to please send me an email cause im unco and cant his email right.

wow zulu...i got not alot on that...i have just been made a leader in a youth program called Urban..its on friday nights in brisbanes equivalaent of the redlight district...i gotta admit its pretty darn cool...i almost walked out the first night cause i freaked out thinking id landed myself in a highschool house party..minus the passion pop and resulting effects.

I love it, which is ironic cause i despised highschool...funny how life takes directions you never would ahve chosen.
yeah but im pretty busy of late...now the choir colourist for the church choir which is a bit of a wank but you know excellence is a good thing and i get a whole set of real live ken and barbies...hehehe
wow...have fun man and post card me up ill try and return an equally exciting one of brisvegas!

cheers..sing an african classic for me...and a camp song at a really inappropriate moment


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From friend Kerubo (August 10, 2005)
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I am glad that you are having fun.
take care

missing you
kerubo

PICTURES (KEEP SCROLLING)
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PIC1: On the 10 hour lay over in London, we stop by brother Percy's house in Tilbury, ouside of London)
PIC2: En route from London to Joburg)
PIC3: Paul's small frame allows more room for Marc's snacks)
PIC4: Welcome to South Africa!
PIC5: Shiney red van leads us home to Centurian
PIC6: Brother Joe prepares a hardy breakfast of sausages, eggs and Sweet Chili Sauce
PIC7: Bryson and Paul
PIC8: Bryson and Gift
PIC9: Eating Breakfast
PIC10: Doo-rag Style!!
PIC11: The Boys Pack Light
PIC12: Local Mall
PIC13: Driving Through Alexandria (Joburg Suburb)

Marc's African Adventure: Prologue (August 2, 2005)

Greetings!!!

As some of you may know, today I'm leaving for Johannesburg, South Africa for three weeks and then on to London for one week. It's truly a trip of a lifetime!

Trip of a lifetime? What do you mean, Marc?


Well, the reason I'm going to South Africa is to take care of two brothers
Gift and Paul, who are physically handicapped. It's my job, along with my friend, Bryson, to take care of them in terms of getting them from flight to flight, feeding, dressing and other more icky stuff. The two brothers came to Canada from Zimbabwe a few years ago and are now going back to visit their brother who lives in South Africa.
The last week of August and into September, we're spending in London to visit their other brother.

Oh I see, sounds interesting, Marc!

I'm really excited about it and I hope you will enjoy reading about my adventures. If you're not interested, the chances are you weren't on the list to begin with, in which case you didn't receive this e-mail, in which case you're not reading this right now.

Now that we've confirmed your interest in reading about my African adventures...

I'll keep you all up to date really soon. We leave from Montreal tonight at
9:30 and will spend tomorrow in London (6 hour flight), then another night flight to Johannesburg (10 hours).

If you know of anyone I've forgotten in the list, let me know and I'll add them in.

Take care,
Marc


RESPONSES
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I am very interested in your adventures. May you have a super awesome time - have fun, but be careful too. May the force be with you

Ton coeur poop,

Jon
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Dear Marc,

I had forgotten how well you write!
I am delighted that you have put us onto the email list and we look forward
to hearing more about your adventures.
It is not an ordinary adventure, I think, and I wish i could ask lots more
questions about this family you have been working with, like how come there
are two in one family who are physically handicapped or "differently abled"
as the politically correct brigade calls them in NZ.
Our very best wishes go with you. I guess it will be hard work but
completely interesting and full of learning.
Love
(auntie) Susan and (uncle) Kevin
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Have a super AmazINg!!!!! trip,


xoxo Christina :) (Barrucco)
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Hey you,

your email is so cute and i can't wait to hear more about your jouney. I'm very happy i'm on your list and i'm like to stay on it.

Enjoy your trip.

bye bye
Crystal
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Hi Marc,
hope the first flight went well. Can you add me to your list for e-mail news.
Mummy forwarded the original to me..
We went for greeeeek food after you left a huge plate fuuuuuuuuuuuuulllllll
for rice and salad a bit much for me.
well I'm off to work, a bit late, as I was chatting to your brother in Kandahar.
Dad
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Hey marc, Rob here, just writing to say.....Have a great time and don't forget to floss.
I hope your flight was chill.
have a wicked time man
peace
rOB
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Bonjour Marc,
Merci pour ton courriel. Nous espérons que tu as eu de bons vols et nous te souhaitons ainsi qu'à tes amis de très belles vacances, un bon séjour eux dans leur famille et vous deux en expédition. Nous avons hâte d'avoir encore de tes nouvelles.
(ma tante) Jeannette & (oncle) Jacques

Africa Postings

It's been almost a full 6 months since my trip to South Africa, Botswana and England with Bryson, Paul and Gift. But it is often on my mind. The purpose of this blog is simplely to post my mass emails about the trip and I will also post some of my favorite pictures of the trip as a record for myself and for new people I meet.

The posts will be coming soon!!