KES exchange student reports back from Belgium!
19 March 2013Bevan Leedham (Class of 2012) on Rotary Exchange in Belgium writes on his stay so far in a land far away from the sunny South Africa, that Bevan was used to:
‘I have already been in Belgium for 2 months and its supposedly spring, but it still snows! In February I had an amazing trip to the Alpes d’Huez in France for a snowboarding holiday, what an marvelous experience ! I have also picked up on a local saying ‘A snow day is a stay home day’ as we have been snowed in at home a couple of times, as recently as last week.
I have just joined the local rugby club, Lustin Rugby Club, and I play in my first match is on Sunday the 17th of March.
When I arrived for the first rugby practice, it was announced that I’m a South African and a large prop ,unable to speak a single word of English and wearing a South African rugby jersey, stepped forward and started shouting “BRYAN HABANAAAA”. He was thrilled to learn that I attended the same school as the famous rugby player as whenever he sees me now, he starts shouting “BRYAN HABANAAAA”. I have officially found Bryan Habana’s biggest fan!
All the people I have met so far now know the tales of the mighty RED Machine and the King Edward VII School. I told many about the tragic news of the boys who were recently struck by the lightning. I have showed many friends and their families the video of the war cry dedicated to these boys. It always ends with silence, as they have never experienced something as awe-inspiring as this, the atmosphere, the brotherhood! When I explain what the war cry is about, people are astonished and even more so that all of the boys survived and are okay. One person strangely asked me “Are all South Africans immortal or is it just the boys from the School of the 7th King ?”. I could not help but smile and reply “It’s only men from the School of the 7th King”
Thank you Bevan for the update from Belgium and for continuing to fly the ‘King Edward flag’ high and continue to ‘share the spirit’ with all that you meet!
Bevan in the Alpes d’Huez in France
