On returning home friends and family asked if I had had a ‘lovely’ time in South Africa.  The answer is ‘No’.  One word does not cover the range of feelings I have experienced during the four weeks as a volunteer.  Parts of the experience were indeed lovely but also traumatic, surreal, testing, challenging, funny, sad, frustrating, amazing, scary, rewarding, annoying, extraordinary, fulfilling any many other things!  It is taking me some time to sort out all these conflicting emotions.