Bungee Jumping to Mdumbi!

By: Laura Sawatzky and Katie Daman

Laura says: On our way to Jeffrey's Bay, our group stopped at Bloukran's Bridge, the anticipated 216m bungee jump. The day finally came! Some of us were too excited to even think about how far of a free fall it actually was. Some of us saw this as a challenge. And some of us were FULL OF NERVES- like me!! Before I knew it, they called 'Jump 22', my feet were strapped together and I was hopping to the edge of the bridge. I forgot all about my nerves because I was too pumped with adrenalin. At the count of three, I jumped off!
Katie responds: Laura went before me for the bungee jump. She had been so nervous beforehand that I thought she would cry. But she actually handled it quite well. With a look of fear on her face, I watched her fall (not jump) off the bridge. I couldn't wait until my turn!
Laura says: The breeze drowned out the blasting pump-up music as the earth was coming towards me FAST. I concentrated on what was around me... it was just me putting trust in God while having the most exhilerating experience in my entire life. Who knew that a person who fears heights would want to bungee jump off a bridge again. This was one of the craziest, most unforgettable moments in my life and I'd do it over and over!
Katie responds: When Laura came up after the Bungee jump she was full of energy. She couldn't stop smiling and yelling "Yo, that was the best thing ever!" Her energy overflowed into me and pumped me up even more for the jump. And I loved it just as much as she did. I now understand how adrenalin can be addicting! Regardless of peoples attitudes about the jump beforehand, which ranged from fears to jumping backwards no one came out of it with regrets. And I think most of us would jump at any given opportunity to do it again (haha).

Laura says: A long stretch of beach, the warm Indian ocean, huts and hammocks, cows grazing, sunshine, wild horses, dolphins- do you think of paradise? Mdumbi captured 'paradise' to me.
Katie responds: Mosquitos while we slept, 2 minute showers, 90 degree uphill to get back from the beach. And despite the negatives, I must agree with Laura about it being a form of paradise. It's like an earthly, hippy resort spot!
Laura says: Many people notice the beauty of Mdumbi but not the reason behind Mdumbi backpackers. The place we are staying at, contributes to the nearby community and African families. For example, the water source is shared with everyone- community and tourists (We had to get used to 2 minute showers.. with cold water). The community owns a 10% sharehold of Mdumbi Backpackers as well and are actively involved in the business. They care for Mdumbi Backpackers like its their own home.
Katie responds: Every morning we'd wake up to the excited chit-chatty kids who actually go to school here. Mdumbi backpackers runs a pre-school for the kids in the community. This is really cool because it's an opportunity they wouldn't have otherwise.
Laura says: Our week at Mdumbi had the theme of "knowing yourself". We learned about finding our passions and abilities, spirtual gifts, the importance of budgeting (great for me now that I'm a university student.. AHH!) and we explored our personalities by taking an Ennegram test.
One night we all sat outside during dinner and enjoyed watching a lightning storm. There were "oohs" and "aahs" for a good half an hour. God's beauty was shown everywhere, in the landscape and people. On Friday the girls organized a Guys' Appreciation Day. We served them breakfast and dinner, played games and handed out prizes. All of us girls feel so blessed to have such amazing guys on our site! 34 of us left Mdumbi understanding why we act the way we do and feeling more relaxed than ever!
Katie responds: For me this was definitely one of the most relaxing weeks yet. We got to sleep in (8:30!), sleep and tan (at the same time!) plus as a bonus, our classes weren't even boring:) Whether it was playing cares in the evening, making fires on the beach, performing dances (and numerous other things), I think it's safe to say this was a great week for everyone.