Tomorrow morning I will be heading to Jinja again with the USP students, this time WITHOUT our “supervisors”. Thanks to a friend here in the program, all 40-something USP students will be heading to Jinja for a weekend of adventure! Some people will be bungee jumping into the Nile (not me- NO way). Sounds like fun but I don't think I could talk myself into it, nor do I want to. I plan to watch the bungee jumping shenanigans from a safe distance however, I WILL be doing some white water rafting!
We will be loading onto I think 5 rafts (?) and making our way down the Nile not the smooth Nile that we visited last time we were in Jinja but the fast moving, alive, and VERY active Nile. I have heard that this is a pretty intense rafting experience and that most people are unable to stay inside the raft at all times. (eek) I have been trying to not pay attention when the other students are telling the scary rafting stories they have heard from past students but I am still nervous. There are two reasons why I am nervous.
1. Kelsey is not here. Now, those of you who know me well probably know that I am not the best swimmer. I can manage pretty good but once I get tired I just have to float on my back. Usually when I go swimming I have Kelsey with me, she is a good swimmer and always willing to save me if needed.
my personal lifeguard (couldn’t find a picture of her saving my life)
2. The Nile is A LOT different then the Riley Creek. Some may not be familiar with the Riley Creek. It is the Creek that runs through our campus at Bluffton- very small, very dirty, and calm for the most part (unless of course it is flooded). Last year some friends and I did our own rafting adventures and traveled down the Riley. It was fun, it was calm, it was relaxing, and no life jackets or helmets were needed. I guess I should also mention that I think I would feel a little bit more comfortable if I was rafting the Nile with the same friends I floated down the Riley with. My friends Bracton and Gregg take charge, they know what they are doing… or maybe they just act like it. Either way, I think that I would feel a lot safer with them in my raft tomorrow.
Bracton, Aaron and I floating down the Riley
(note: that is Aaron NOT Gregg (who I did mention above)- Aaron really didn’t really help that much with the paddling so that is why he wasn’t mentioned and Gregg was in the another raft on this trip)
Plus side: Jill and Abigail are in my raft with me- HURRAY! Us three are all a little nervous but also very excited! All the people in my raft seem like a lot of fun so we should have a good time. I am excited to spend some time getting to know some of the USE students a little better, soaking up the sun (as much as I can with sunscreen applied of course), and spending time relaxing. I am assuming that I will have a good story for you all next week. If you happen to think of it this weekend send a little prayer up to the big guy for our safety. Thanks. :) You are all such a blessing. LOVE HANNA
I will put on my tough girl face this weekend and conquer the Nile! (Hopefully I will have a better life jacket then the one I used this summer canoeing with my roomies- and Ben!)
All I can say is: "Oh,yoy,yoy." Please be careful. Years ago we did the Yuckahaney (spelled wrong) in Pa; and a few years ago, we did the Snake River in Wy. Both were great rides, of course we were younger. Will be praying for you and your friends all week-end. Love You, Grandma M
ReplyDeleteI will save my near death rafting experience story until after you return safely. Just make sure your toes are wedged in tightly and when they say "high side", do it.
ReplyDeleteButch
I am praying for you! Not much of a rafter myself. I've been twice in PA can't say I ever want to go again:)My prayer will be WHEN you fall out you can get back in the raft before any interesting Nile creatures discover you!
ReplyDeleteTracy C.
Han, Be safe and have a blast. I will be thinking about and praying for you. Love ya, Alicia
ReplyDeleteO HANNA... i just went through like soooo many of your posts because i have not been keeping myself updated. you are a funny girl, i love reading what your are writing. lol Your such a good writer. Glad you introducced your family to us! :) thats the first post i started reading today. Your meals sound disgusting. i bet you cant wait to come back to eat! miss you! talk to you on facebook. love you!
ReplyDelete-janelle
Hey Hanna! We miss you here in Hartville, but you look like you are having such an amazing time over there. I can't wait to hear all about your stories. I just now got the opportunity to "follow" your blog. Keep the updates coming!
ReplyDeletePraying for you as always,
In Christ,
Arielle
Literally laughed OUT LOUD at the fact that I was the number one reason you were scared to go rafting. It is true though, my job is to save you from drowning, I mean it's the least I can do. Ever since we were wee little tikes in the old pool here, remember when I would save you in 5ft water? love it. love you. You're hilarious. I loved rafting.. Can't wait to hear how it all went.
ReplyDeletelove from America
Kelsey
i heard your beautiful voice this morning, so i know that you made it back alive! i am so proud of you for going. i don't know if i will ever have enough guts for such things. maybe one day.
ReplyDeletelove you hann <3
brittalicious
ps. the riley has been dead, a canyon all semester. its been raining the past week, though, so now puddles are forming and hopefully sometime soon there will be a creek again.
ReplyDelete