South Africa: Time to start blogging again!

Finally, a minute to write a post! I cannot believe that April is almost over—where has the time gone?? Cape Town continues to amaze me with its many fun activities. I went on an amazing spring break trip to Zimbabwe and Botswana (with a quick hop over the border into Zambia to bungee jump). We spent 8 days camping at many amazing places. Some highlights of the trip included being soaked with mist at Victoria Falls, seeing Elephants during a river cruise in Chobe National Park and two nights camping in a remote site in the Okavango Delta (which we reached by an hour long ride in a traditional canoe). It was an amazing trip that we will all remember for many years! Upon returning to Cape Town we jumped right back into a busy schedule of classes and service. It has been so rewarding to work at Manenberg Primary. We are really becoming a part of their community now. The other week we brought our entire house to a carnival held as a fundraiser for the school. It was so exciting to see the students and teachers outside of class. Some kids even introduced us to parents or older siblings that they were there with! It was fun to go on rides (though I tried not to think too much about the safety of these rides…) My mother’s voice popped into my head, reminding me of how much she loathed our towns fair—how unsafe the rides are, etc. etc. And this wasn’t even a town fair in Acton, Massachusetts—this was a town fair at a Primary school in Manenberg, a township in Cape Town, South Africa!! During our first ride on the swings we were all kicking and pushing each other, sending our swings flying in even crazier of directions, my mothers voice kept popping into my head screaming “CATHERINE THESE ARE THE STUPID THINGS PEOPLE DO TO GET HURT!” Yet it was probably the best moment I have had in Cape Town so far. First off, this sort of activity would have never been permitted in the US. If people were joking around on a ride, they would surely stop the ride and take the people fooling around off. But we are not in the US, we are in Africa and here you just have to live in the moment! We spent the rest of the night dancing with the kids enjoying the magic of the carnival and I truly felt a part of that community.

We had another fabulous opportunity to experience life in the townships during a weekend homestay. We were set up in pairs and given to a family for the weekend! My family consisted of my mama and 26-year-old sisi (sister). Additionally, my sisi’s friend stayed at the home. The family was so nice, giving us their main bedroom to sleep in, and preparing meal after meal of traditional foods. They took us to a birthday party in the neighborhood and Church (which we had to leave after the first 3 hours so we weren’t late getting home!!) The main thing that struck me from this experience was the huge emphasis of community that was evident in the townships. Everyone took care of each other. Specifically in my community, there was a 10-year-old autistic boy. He would wander from house to house, were people would watch after him, taking him home when it was time for bed. Everyone helped to raise everyone’s children and it was truly amazing to feel this sense of community—something that was lacking in my own town growing up.

Most recently, we have just returned from a five-day trip on the Garden Route. We were somewhat surprised to find out that because of Easter, we would have basically another week off of school. But we took this opportunity to go and see more of South Africa!! It was an amazing trip that was full of sunrises, sunsets, oceans, mountains and a general lack of sleep! I cannot believe that this place has my two favorite things—mountains and oceans—right next to one another. We spent our first night in Mossel Bay where our hotel room was upgraded to a two-bedroom suite with kitchen and living room—all of which had floor to ceiling walls that completely opened up to a balcony overlooking the ocean. It was a wonderful way to start the trip! The next morning we explored beaches that were on our way to Jeffery’s Bay, all of which were so beautiful! Our hostel in Jeffery’s Bay was incredible! Again for $20 we had a lovely room overlooking the ocean (literally on the beach). The place had a really cool vibe with tons of other people staying there as well. There was a bonfire at night and we had a lot of fun! The next day we hung out at the beach and then headed off to go horseback riding on the beach—something I have wanted to do since I was about seven! In all of my years horseback riding I have never ridden like this before—we were literally galloping for miles up and down sand dunes and along the beach as waves crashed beneath us. Again, I was very aware that this would have never happened in the US. We were literally put on horses (without helmets) and off we went without any instruction. There were two guides with us to set the pace. All the horses followed whatever the guides horses did—speeding up as they came closers, catching up if they were too far behind, etc. We went through some ‘bush’ before climbing up a huge sand dune and seeing sand and ocean for miles. It was simply amazing!!! We met up with Jessica’s grandparents one afternoon and had lunch at an incredible vineyard—where our table was literally in between the vines. The rest of the trip was incredible as well and it is something that you really need to see to understand.

I cannot believe that I am now back in Cape Town with just over a month left here. I am currently busy working on my Capstone project that involves the library at Manenberg Primary. Additionally, I am getting ready for my course in Istanbul, doing various readings and background research on the city. I feel that I have so much to experience before arriving back in the US, yet at the same time I know that it will sadly be over before I know it.

Off to do some schoolwork!

Love from Africa,

Catie