Adventure Caving

After our new way to explore different towns in Swaziland, we made our way to the mountains for adventure caving! Swazi Trails, the same organization that organized the Amazing Race, also leads the tours of one of the biggest caves in Swaziland. We stopped at the middle of the mountains to get our awesome jumpsuits, and then proceeded on our 45 minute hike up the mountain. It was definitely not the easiest hike I've ever done, but the scenery was amazing. When we got to our destination, we started to learn about the history of the caves. The cave that we explored is the largest known granite cave in the world. 

Our guide was one of the first men to really explore, and document/map it out. He is also known as the man who coined the words Adventure Caving. They have found 2 new species of spiders, and a new form of rock, that scientists still have not gotten back to them on the names or scientific classifications. Our guide explained that we would be "hiking" through 4% of the 5% of the cave that has actually been touched by human hands. They expect that the other 95% of the cave is half under water, or unreachable because of the under ground river flowing through it. They have theorized that the cave formed when one of the mountains grew faster than the other, which created the gaps between the rocks. He said that native people have used the caves to hide from enemies in the past during wars, but now it is only used for tours. Here is our group before entering the cave. 

Notice how white all of our jumpsuits are. We entered the cave by sliding into a hole in the ground that was about 3x4 ft. We entered a big room, that had tall ceilings, and multiple ways to explore more into the cave. Our guides split us into the "gun-ho" group, for people who wanted to move quickly/confidently, and the leisurely group, which I joined and went at a slower/more explained pace. Throughout the cave, we actually caught up to the gun-ho group multiple times, so we were going about the same pace. The first half of the cave was very exciting, and we only had to squeeze through a few spots. I enjoyed climbing up different sets of rocks, and sliding down slabs to get to the next check point. When we got to the halfway point, also the lowest part of the 5% of the cave, we were 80 m under ground. The way back to the surface was definitely more challenging to maneuver. We had to lay on our bellies to pull ourselves through little cracks with our hands & toes, and had to be pulled up onto rock levels above us. We discovered that girls with curves really are not meant to adventure cave after those experiences. After having to squeeze through the small area on my stomach,  I had wished I worn 6 sports bras to really minimize the space I took up. It was very cool to see all the little bats in hibernation while we climbed through the cave, and see the unknown species of spiders. The spiders looked like daddy long legs, but were almost see through. Their legs are double jointed, so they can climb almost anywhere they need to, and bend them in any direction. I would have been extremely creeped out, if they weren't so skidish and small. 

After about 2 hours underground, we finally reached the surface. Our guides congratulated us on and awesome hike, and rewarded us with candy bars and water. I would also like to give a shout out to Emilly for facing her fears of closed spaces and the dark! (She really faced every one of her fears on this trip, she's a champ) We took a little rest as a group before heading back down the mountain to the van. Then the guides took us to the natural hot springs, only 20 minutes away from the cave. 

The hot springs we tucked away on a different mountain, but the water is actually just dumped into a man made pool. The air temperature was probably around 45 degrees at this point, so we were very excited to jump in. The water felt amazing, especially after pushing ourselves through the cave. We ordered pizza, which was absolutely amazing, and was the perfect meal that all of us were craving. We spent about 2 hours in the hot springs, and then had to make our way back to the bee hive huts. 

Today was an awesome day, and I'm very glad that I participated in all of the activities. Personally, I have no need to ever adventure cave again in my life, but I'll definitely go on walking tours of them! 

Amazing Race: Swaziland Edition

Today we woke up bright and early to compete in the Swazi Trails Amzing Race! About half of our group decided to compete in the game, which lasted about 3 hours. The Swazi Trails staff split us into 3 teams, and gave us a booklet of different tasks to complete around Swaziland! The tasks varied from finding a person names Thulani, to finding the name of a bible verse on the side of a building in Mulwane. Our most interesting completed tasks of the day were buying a dreadlock from a woman, and finding a 20c Swazi coin, which is a square coin that was stopped being used in the 70s. We visited different markets, and even a police station to get the most tasks completed that we could. Unfortunately, we did not have time to go to the local market to buy a live chicken. (Darn it) But we made it back in time to complete a few more questions before we had to turn in our booklets. The scores were very close, but we ended up getting 2nd place. Overall, it was a great team building experience, and one of the best ways to really experience a new country! 

Swaziland Cultural Experience

Today we drove about 20 minutes from our accommodation to Esitjeni, to meet the children at the orphanage and learn about traditional Swaziland culture. Before we got there, we were given cloth wraps with the king's face for the girls to tie around our waists. In Swazi culture, women are not allowed to wear pants, so we used them as make-shift skirts. On our way to the village, we also stopped by a local market to pick up oranges, bananas, apples, and biscuits to hand out to the children. 

After we dropped the food off at the orphanage, we walked a short distance to the village. The chief welcomed us in past the wooden fencing to join her in the center of the village. We all sat down in a half circle, and were eager to listen to her knowledge of the Swazi culture. She spoke little English, so our guide translated her speeches for us. She told us about the jobs of men and women, and gave us examples on how they go about their daily lives. We were able to look at their pottery, and see how they make their beer (1% alcohol). "The women in the village are not allowed to drink the beer" the chief explained, "because if they are drunk, then how will the people eat!" A few of the girls from our group were tested on their abilities to balance items on their heads while dancing, and we were all given the chance to braid straw to help fix the wooden walls protecting the village. Then all the girls were told to stand up, so we could learn a traditional song & dance with the chief, and some women/girls of the village. The dance was easy, only composed of stepping side-to-side, but the song was a little more difficult to get the hang of. After we mastered our song & dance combo, it was the boys turn. It was funny to watch them because there were only seven from ISV, compared to the 30+ girls. They weren't the strongest of singers, but they definitely got the dance down! When we were finished, we had the opportunity to buy some jewelry/momentos from the women. (Pic 1: chief explaining some of traditions. Pic 2: my straw braids on the fence. Pic 3: the chief and I) 

Then it was time to return to the orphanage to hand out the food, and donations we brought. The number of children that were there when we first arrived had tripled. Our group set up tables, and the children formed 3 lines. We gave each child one of each fruit, and one biscuit (cracker/cookie). 

The lines didn't really last long, but we made sure that every child got food. After all of the food was handed out, we organized our donations. First the chief (who also runs the orphanage), called in the double orphans to get what they need. Explanation: double orphans don't have either parent. Single orphans lost a mother or father. Vulnerable children may have both parents, but don't have a safe home life. After the double organs, the chief called in specific single orphans, who she knew needed specific things more than other children. After about 30 minutes, all of the donations were gone. Other than clothes, some people bought school supplies or games that will stay at the orphanage for the children to use whole they are there. Here is a list explaining the situation of the community we were in that the chief made. 

 Then we were able to meet the children, and play with their new toys & games. We taught the girls how to use hula hoops, and other children how to throw frisbees or play clapping games. I tried to move around and meet as many children as possible. I didn't want to get too attached to one child, because I knew it would be more heartbreaking to leave them. Then along came Nulweni, who stole my heart. She came up to me, told me I was very pretty, and wanted to introduce me to her sister & friends. 

I played a few clapping games with them, and then it was time for their lunch. She brought me with her to show me how they wash their hands, pray, and recieve their food. Unfortunately, then it was time to go. Before I even began to say goodbye I could feel myself getting choked up, but then she grabbed my hand and gave me one of her bracelets. That of course made me cry, and hug her tighter. I gave her my sunglasses, and two button ups that I had with me. Before I gave her anything, I made her promise to stay in school so that she could be like me and travel the world. She said I promise, and I will always remember you. I gave her one more big hug, and basically ran to the bus so that she didn't see me cry anymore. 

Seeing all of the children at the orphanage was a very eye opening experience. Even though many of them have never had a proper home, or someone to really care about them as an individual, they were some of the nicest and happiest children I have ever met. Every child that I talked to seemed so positive about their life, and were just happy to be there with us. Every time that I look at the picture of Nulweni, all I want to do is be back in Swaziland with them just for one more hour. The chief explained to us that the only way the children get to eat is by donations. They have a few organizations, including ISV, that give them resources, but sometime they do have times when they run out. She said that there are aome days when she can't make the kids a full meal, and when they ask why, she has to explain. She tells them that God wasn't able to give them everything today, but it's okay. If they pray really hard, then hopefully he will send someone tomorrow to help us have full bellies. This is how the children live their lives every day, not knowing if they will actually eat a full meal or one at all. But with all of their misfortunes they stay positive, and look forward to each new day.