Baby leopards and blood duty

Another whirlwind of a weekend has come and gone. Today is Youth Day, a public holiday, so it was nice to sleep in, catch up on laundry, go for a much needed run, and just have a breather. The pastor of the church we visited and his wife (who turned out to be the Research Director at UFS that we spent time with our first week here) have invited us over for supper tonight, so I am looking forward to a home cooked meal and good conversation.

Oh hey baby leopard that we got
to practically sit and play with

After our morning with the kinderkineticists on Friday, our physio friend (Marna) took Eric and me to the local Cheetah Experience. We'd heard great reviews about it, plus who could pass up the chance to spend the afternoon up close and personal with a bunch of cheetahs for only $10? I know you could see all of these animals in the States, but there was something special about doing so in their native land (except for the Canadian wolves). Although we were not allowed in some of the cages, the lions and jaguars, I don't know that I would have wanted to if given the option seeing as it was dinner time. The animals got anxious every time we walked by expecting us to have their food, which was neat to see them so active. We even got to watch some of the feedings. The whole reserve started a few years ago back with a single cheetah that now roams the property, in and out of the owner's house, and even sleeps in her bed like a dog. Between all the cats roaming around, we were ensured they never have a problem with people attempting to break in. Hardeee har har! Check out Eric's blog for more pictures.

You guessed it. This is the pet cheetah that sleeps in
the house and gets served dinner in a dish.

Not the best quality, but had to get a shot of the
team's sign we pass on our 20 minute walks to the field.

Friday night, we were put on "blood duty" at the University's rugby game. And yes it was exactly as it sounds, for we were given gloves and gauze to stuff our pockets with and instructions to follow the physios on the field if a big group of players went down and they needed extra hands to control the bleeding and injuries. It made for an exciting game running around on the sidelines (me on one and Eric on the other) minus the fact that no serious injuries occurred. Afterwards, we got to celebrate the win in the team's "lounge" with the players, coaches, doctors, and physios. Although a little intimidating to be one of four girls in the crowd, it was fun to be around such a relaxed environment with the players and coaches alike.

My view from the sidelines

South Africa played Scotland in rugby yesterday, so naturally we spent the entire evening watching it with some medical students we had met earlier in the week. When in South Africa do as the South Africans do, right? It was a great evening spent with new friends, delicious food, and plenty of cheering at South Africa's victory (sorry, Brits). It will be good to get back in the groove of things with our program tomorrow after a long weekend. Apparently, this week will be spent at some state hospitals (what the students and faculty refer to as "third world" compared to the private ones we have seen so far).

A mix of South African, British, and American medical
students watching the game