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135 entries.
December 1, 2024 at 7:11 am
Dear Alan I came to Joburg alone and now am leaving with family and friends in South Africa and all around the world. I am taking more with me than I ever imagined. I arrived two months ago feeling overwhelmed and uncertain. I "knew" the dangerous Joburg from reports and was worried about now to react in case of an attack! I did not know what to expect at Charollote and how to deal with it. You and the3other Swans quickly took away my insecurities and my time here became something very special. Educational hours in the hospital mixed with breathtaking excursions to the Pilanesberg and Drakensberg will never make me forget these two months. Especially because I was able to share many memories with wonderful people. Thank you for everything, for your open and calm way, your hospitality and for creating a home in South Africa. Love Yves Schaulin (Basel Switzerland)
November 20, 2024 at 7:04 am
Dear Alan I stayed with you in Swanage for a big portion of my life (24th August to 20th November). I remember being so anxious about coming to Johannesburg and was even regretting my decision to come in first two weeks, especially with Dr Jack's "great hospitality". I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Staying with you has made me grow in ways I could not have imagined. I am so grateful for my time at Swanage - from the Pilanesberg safari, to discovering the amazing food in Jo'burg, talking about our religions, our family dinners, movie nights and getting the oportunity to interact and travel with my fellow likeminded Swans to places like Cape Town and the Drakensberg. I had a splendid time and formed memories I will forever cherish. You were a father figure for me, You are knowledgeable, kind welcoming and absolutely hilarious! Swanage truly felt like home and I would love to come back one day maybe for a safari. Thank you for everything. I will stay in touch and pray for you when I am in Makkah and Madinah. Lots of love Jahin ( University of Auckland, New Zealand).
November 6, 2024 at 1:58 pm
Dear Alan,
Thank you so much for the pat month at Swanage. You have made a house a home and it is a great pivilege to be called a Swan. You have made me feel so welcome, comfortable and at home in Johannesburg. I will look back on my time in Swanage with great fondess.
I will miss the "koi cafe", our car rides to Bara and the family dinners we shared. I know I will always have a home in Johannesburg at Swanage. It is never goodbye, it is just see you soon. I will miss Swanage and you Alan. Deepest Appreciation. Aidan Kerr (Syndey Australia)
October 25, 2024 at 4:41 pm
Dear Alan, I think coming to Johannesburg, I already knew I would have an amazing time! Talking to Mitch Pratt definitely convicned me this was the ricght decision to make. Despite my expectations, my experience in Johannesburg and Swanage has blown me away even more than anticipated.
Although we only had one week together with you at Swanage before your big trip, it felt so much longer. I was really struck by how close we were able to connect with you in so little time. It was so fun having dinner and meeting your boys who make up your very extended chosen family. I also found an amazing Swanage community while living here nad have made some friends that I will definitely keep in touch with in the future. Swanage really did feel like home away from home and it would warm my heart every timne you referred to Swanage as our home. We had an absolutely fascinating time hearing all your stories. From your priesthood journey to meeting the Pope three times and reading the experiences of the previous Swans in the Swan Book. You have led a very inspiring life and continue to tirelessly take care of other people. I find your outlook and approach to life very humbling and take inspiration from you. We will definitely be back at Swanage in the future. Lots of love Renne Ju (Hong Kong)
October 18, 2024 at 8:38 am
Dear Alan, we cant thank you enough for everything you've done for us in Joburg. From the moment we arrived, all nervous and apprehensive, you immedaitely took us in and made Swanage feel like home. We've adored getting to know you, and learning more about your truly fascinating life! As I'm sure you recall, we were all incredibily anxious about our upcoming trip to South Afgrica, bothering you with countless emails and questions, stressed that Refilwe would truly never reply or that we'd be shot on arrival! You were such a calming presence for us in thse weeks and we can't thank you enought for all your tips and advice.
This insight continued into our time at Swanage, where you went out of your way to ensure we got the full SAouth Afvrican Experience! Your help in organising trips to Pilanesburg and Drakensburg were invaluable - definately the best park ranger we've ever had, and thank God for the binoculars!
We particularly enjoyed the scintillating conversation around enneagrams and discovering more about your "epicurist" traits, and unpacking each of our personalities in full! We'll make sure to continue pleaasing others, making peace, seeking knowledge, reading the room and taking pleasure through multiple avenues. We'll alss remember to keep putting type 8's on defence! Thank you again for this home away from hoe, you have created such a special place, and it's a priviledge to be called a Swan. A massive thank you as well to Catherine, who has looked after us wonderfully in ytour abscence. Seb Alice Brad Tom and Sasza - Melbourne Medical students.
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September 29, 2024 at 8:14 am
Dear Alan, the time has come to say goodbye, that in Italian would translate to "Arrivederci". This has been probably one of the most educative moments of my life.
From someone that still lives with his parents is hard to move out and go for new adventures on the other part of the world. I was scared to come without knowing anyone and with the fear that I would only stay at the hospital, without any travelling.
Here at Swanage I found a family, I am completely satisfied of this experience and the people I have met at Swanage.
I will always remember you; I will be back at some point, I just need to get a degree first.
What you have created is a beautiful community. I hope you will continue this way. I will copy this from my friend Norman. It was an honour to meet you, Mr 5P.. I will miss you ARRIVEDERCI. Paolo Pallavicini
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September 26, 2024 at 11:39 am
Dearest Alan,
Thank you so much for giving me a home in Johannesburg. You have been so welcoming since the moment we corresponded via Facebook call and have arranged my stay in Johannesburg down to the details - first 5 weeks at an Airbnb near you, then the main house and finally the cottage.
My most poignant memory of you was in my first week here; the Airbnb I was staying in had an outage, and I was sitting in the dark pondering about my life choices. You replied almost immediately and welcomed me to Swanage for electricity and a hot shower. You delivered coal in the bitterest of winter for me, and that will always be how i remember you - always showing love and making the world a better place for those around you.
6 months is neither a long time nor a short one, but it has allowed me to meet so many like-minded individuals from all over the world from Leo's batch until Paolo's. I am so grateful that you have created this safe haven for all of us to come together and share this moment of our lives with each other. I will always remember the times we cooked and shared a meal together with everyone; the food was always in abundance - just like the way your love overflows for your swans.
It has been an honour knowing you and being your swan. This is not good-bye; I will be back, and we will cross paths again. Thank you 5P (Peter, Priest, Pulmonologist, Park Ranger, Pianist)!
Deepest appreciation,
Norman Lin
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September 25, 2024 at 8:33 pm
Dear Alan
Thank you so much for your hospitality and all of your help with the univesrity paperwok.
I was worried of the crime in Joburt, but your Swanage felt like a safe place - a hoem.
I enjoyed our talks about God, the world and the meaning of life a lot, it was a huge inspiration.
You created a wonderful atomospher with the amazing Pilanesberg Safari and all the social events.
Also thanks for the recipes. Chakalaka - the Pad Thai salad and the homemade ICE CREAM - I love it.
My fellow roomates, - I had a wonderful time, talking about Emergency medicine, the horrors you see at Bara, sharing meals, drinks nad laughter. Paulo, Jeniifer, Philipp, Jahin and Katie.
Thank you a lot.
See you again !
from
September 7, 2024 at 8:27 pm
To my dear roomates and our host Alan, I have a longed looked forward to this 4 months that I wanted to spend in South Africa. I have enjoyed my first two in Cape Town and met amazing people.
However I was less happy about my living situation there, that is why it was really special to arrive to the second half of my advnenture and meet all of you amazing people!!
You have all made my time here so much better. Here is to Nick (2x), Ollie Frankie, Norman, Jennifer, Paolo Karim, Jahin Katie and of course Alan. And here is to all the things we learn at work, to the exciting trips we have gone on together and all those little moments we had we had the last two months.,
Thank you and enjoy the rest of your stay.
Philipp
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September 6, 2024 at 6:07 pm
To my darling Swans!
What an adventure we have all had, and all made possible by have a home to return to at the end of the each manic shift.
Swanage did feel like a home, with the closeness and bond of a community of like-minded souls all on the same journey.
Thank you to all for helping to make my time here a special one.
It can often feel like humanity is missing, lost in action at Bara, but coming home and sharing a space with you all was a potent reminder that all was not lost.
Here's to our future as doctors, may we meet again, here's hoping.
Take care my friends, with all my love.
Jennifer (Final Year GEM Uni of Sheffield)
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