Phillippolis

When I was 16 I went on a volunteer School trip, to a wonderful town in the middle of the country called Phillippolis. This minute town was three steps away from being completely derelict and poverty was strife - and for that matter still is! But within the decrepit buildings and dusty streets there was a community of people that just needed a helping hand. Whether it be teaching at the local schools, building a Veggie garden or even simply playing Netball with the girls to give them some new compitition there were many things to do.

A Part of the trip was to go on a week long hiking trip in the surrounding area. Now those of you who know me will be the first to laugh! I am what many people might call an 'Awkward' human. I am over six feet tall and with a large weight to accompany it there is no way in the world that I should have been going on a 25km + hike a day. That is like asking a bee to swim, simply unnatural. But I had signed up to go on this trek with a friend of mine who was as equally not suitable as I was. So the day before the long trek we had packed our bags and I prepared to have the last night of good sleep before the arduous journey that lay before us! At precisely 10-30 I was Wrenched out of bed and up stairs to the boys room in order to 'party the night away'. I was never much of a party animal and at the age of 16 I still had the high moral calibre that my mother gave me and after the first warning from my attending teacher I was off down stairs for some grateful sleep. But alas not even 3 hours later I was awoken by my friend and her 2 latest boes. One of which was now lying over me professing his undying love for me and demanding it in return. The night carried on in such away that it included Alcohol, Hair-dye and of course Boy Clothes closets.

The next morning I can honestly say that I had woken up with what can only be described as the sound of a woman giving birth to an elephant. My Friend was experiencing her first ever hang over and wasnt this the time. I was not much better than her and coupled with my carsickness to say that I was a happy camper for the first 2 hours of the day while we headed off to camp would win me an Oscar. but Bloom and I had sworn that we were going to be the first all girls boat to be able to make to the first camp an easy 18 km canoe trip away! Boy was I in for a treat! It must be mentioned now that the only reason that I did make it alive was because of a very caring Mr Falconer and trail Guild Boyd for the gentle banter and speed as well as having the rest of the group as hung over as I was. After a quick stop to split up another all girl team that was struggling we headed off. Onto the open water and into the wilderness. Bloom decided about 1 km in that we would take it in turns for the entire duration and in other words I was going to be paddling her lazy hung over ass all the way to the first camp while she tanned and slept. And with the exception of a water fight and the dash for the finish that is exactly what happened!

18 km later and coming in 3rd out of 7 boats we arrived at the first camp... Just to find that dinner had been fed to the baboons and all that was left was some soup in a can and 1 potato! Absolutely Brilliant! After a scratched together dinner I followed Bloom up a hill next to the camp! After having a DMC about love and how it hurts people we simply sat there and watched the stars come out for the night. And when you are drained of any and all energy watching the stars with your best friends can be one of the most memorable moments of your life!