Post Adventure week..... HOW IS IT MY LAST WEEK HERE?!

ADVENTURE WEEK WAS INCREDIBLE! 

So on Monday morning at 5 am we set out for our week of adventure… we traveled the "Garden Route" which is similar to Route 66 and had a blast! 

We traveled in something that looked like it was straight out of Jurassic Park- it was a safari vehicle, equipped with no air conditioning, heat, etc.- so the early mornings were frigid and by late afternoon we were toasting through the windows. 

The hostel we stayed at all week("Afrovibe") was awesome! It's right on Myoli beach which is the Indian Ocean side of South Africa! There were 12 of us in a room- I felt like I was back at camp, it was such a fun week! 

Monday we set out to go Shark Cage Diving.... yes, me... Shark Cage Diving- let your minds run free.

I thought I was going to be terrified  but I hopped into the wetsuit and was one of the first to volunteer to get in the cage- they made you feel really safe so I felt good about going! We were about a mile off shore in what was a small boat- once we reached our "spot" they threw out a tuna head to get the sharks swarming and then lowered a large cage off to one side of the boat. In groups of 5 people, we piled in the cage and waited for the signal to go under- they would scream "DOWN" when a shark was in sight. The adrenaline was definitely pumping... and the water... was an icebox. The sharks rammed the cage a few times- the shortest we saw was about 7 feet and the longest about 12. I even went for round 2 in the cage later on in the dive-- This was for sure one of the coolest things I've ever done!...and of course Mom asked for pictures, as proof. 

By the way! The food at the hostel was all homemade and it was great- they had homemade bread that was out of this world!

Tuesday we traveled a different direction on the Garden Route to the Congo Caves- discovered a ton of years ago they now have adventure tours and walking tours thru them- of course we did the adventure tour and it was about 90 minutes of squeezing thru the smallest crevices or ducking for longer than you think possible. They were not my favorite part of the week but were cool.... Closterphobia is a real thing. 

After the Congo Caves we went to the cat sanctuary- where we saw lions, cheetahs, leopards, etc. The best part of all… I GOT TO PET A CHEETAH… it was awesome, once again it had my heart racing a little faster than usual- seems to be the trend of the week.

On Tuesday night, I played cards with some friends and it was so surreal to be in Africa and having so much fun without the computers, Internet, texting, instagram you name it. At Afrovibe (our hostel), there is a painting on the wall that says “ I miss the days when apples and blackberries were just fruits”…Really makes you think! This week was awesome for that reason.

One afternoon we went to a local orphanage that sponsors a lot of programs throughout the community and try’s to get people involved as much as possible through different charitable events. One of the programs is a mosaics business in which mosaic artists teach people in the village how to make different pieces and then the villagers can make their own art and sell it for a profit- the orphanage supplies the men and women with the supplies. I bought a couple mosaic pieces that are really cool, and it was also neat to know I was helping someone who was previously unemployed now find work.

Wednesday…. I got to RIDE an elephant- talk about when in Africa, this was pretty cool! We also got to lead/walk them and feed them, they are humongous! Let me tell you… they are really uncomfortable to ride.

Later in the day we got to play soccer with underprivileged kids in the community- it is one of the programs that the orphanage sponsors. The organization pairs these kids with sports almost like an intramural league. What a cool idea! I would love to start something like this back at home.

Does Green sand exist? YEP!

The beach at night literally glows… the sand has a lot of phosphorous in it which causes it to literally glow in the dark. Green sand and the Indian ocean- wow!

Thursday we hiked one of the national forests that is on the garden route- it was beautiful! There were a couple of really cool suspension bridges along the way.

On Thursday night we got to learn “gumboot dancing” from some local children (another sponsored program)- they wear what appear to be rain boots and put on quite the show. They taught us a few moves… we were quite entertaining.

Friday morning we woke up sad that we had to say goodbye to Afrovibe, it was such a fun week and the hostel was really the cherry on top, it was so awesome! We had one last adventure on the garden route before taking our Jurassic park vehicle back to Cape Town ( dreaded 7 hour drive).

It was finally time for the Game Drive, this was something I had been looking forward to the entire trip. We all loaded onto what were old land rovers with an open top and no doors and drove around the property for about 2 hours seeing lions, tigers, cheetahs, giraffe, and my personal favorite- zebras! We got so much closer than you think is possible. The vehicles were so fun, it was like a huge ATV.

We then departed for Cape Town, sad that the week had come to an end but excited to get back to CPT and the Springboks (other half of group). After some minor difficulty with the safari vehicle.. aka two hours on the side of a highway in Africa.. We were back home safe and sound, completely exhausted we headed to bed knowing we would wake up on Saturday morning and head straight to the Old Biscuit Mill. I’m going to miss Saturday mornings in Cape Town!

The OBM was just as great as usual and we all left stuffed. Saturday afternoon we traveled to Stellenbosch, which is a small college town about 45 minutes away. It is the Athens, where as Cape Town is Atlanta. Stellenbosch is in the heart of wine country so we started the afternoon off with a wine tasting at a vineyard and then headed into town for a fun night! The town is made up of all white stucco buildings and looks like something out of a magazine, it was such a fun time!

So it’s now Sunday night and I am absolutely exhausted…I can’t believe that a week from today I will be back on a plane headed home, the time has flown by… But I know that I will be back soon! This place is something else

P.S. tonight we checked another thing off our bucket list and rode the Ferris wheel located at the heart of the city- at just after sundown we could see everything around us

Pictures to come shortly :) internet is super duper slow tonight but wanted to post! 

Goodbye Service Week, Hello Adventure Week!

So, last time I posted we were in the middle of service week..service week wrapped up on Friday and I was so sad to leave the township. The bus home was filled with tears but also smiles as we saw the kids blowing us kisses as we pulled away- and their contagious smiles were still in tact.

The week was incredible- an experience that everyone should have.
You realize that we take the littlest things for granted!
These kids running around barefoot and in the same clothes that they were wearing on Monday- have the most positive attitudes that I have ever seen.
On Thursday, we brought the kids in our "family" chocolate bars and I compared their excitement to the same as an American who just got their first iPhone. It is insane to see the joy that they have and how little they have, and it is just as insane to think how much we have and how we aren't always even happy with that.
I left Sir Lowry's Pass with so much more than I could have even thought- these families and kids taught me so much about life!

So.. I saw Amanda and Chanderise again on Thursday and Friday- they immediately ran up to me and grabbed my hands, and wanted me to sit so they could get back to playing with my hair- Amanda is quieter but warmed up a lot by the end of the week! It was sad to hug these girls goodbye and know that I may never see them again.... these girls who made such an impact on me.

Another thing- there was a boy named Reagan who was 15 and I would see him during the week but never really had a chance to speak to him, on Wednesday he asked one of my friends to take a picture of him and I together... On Friday we all printed out a bunch of pictures to take to our kids and families and a picture of Reagan and I was one of them. He came up to me with the picture and was so happy and said that he was going to keep it forever. It really touched me that though I didn't even spend much time with him, I somehow still made an impression, and I was very happy at that!

Bradley and I continued to hangout every day, and would always ask about my Bradley- on Friday, I asked him for his address so that I could send him some clothes and treats when I'm back home but he didn't know it- I'm hoping that somehow I will be able to get ahold of it!

So... Volunteer week was amazing and though I am sad it is over, tomorrow we embark on Adventure week... at 5 am
We hop on "garden route vehicles" and depart for a hostel about 6 hours away from Cape Town.
On the way to the hostel we stop to dive with Great White Sharks... I still haven't mentally prepared myself that I will be doing that tomorrow...... like I said, I usually don't get in the ocean much past my waist.
The hostel is our home base for the week, but everyday we get on the vehicles and travel 2 or 3 hours away to safaris, game drives, caves, ride elephants, pet cheetahs..... the whole shebang.

Well.. on that note I need to get to sleep- 5 am is going to come fast, but who am I kidding I'm sure I won't sleep much with the thought of meeting these new teethy friends face to face tomorrow

Wish me luck!
I see the underwater camera bringing a lot of entertainment y'alls way!

xoxo
Liv

Bradley in the red

Amanda and Chanderise

So service week is under way... and I can't even put into words what it is like... but I will try...

Every day this week we travel about an hour outside of Cape Town to a small village/township known as "Sir Lowry's Pass"- for the first couple of hours we hang out at the primary school with tons of the children.. We play sports, dance (they show us the moves), and do arts and crafts. I'm part of the sports team. Then our group is divided into teams of about 6 and we are each assigned a different family for the week- these families have been working with us for about 5 years, and literally wait every year for this week to circle back around. I am assigned to Mrs. Hannie's house- she has 5 kids and 2 grandchildren. It is a house full of love and laughter.

As our bus pulls into the township each day the kids literally chase after us and are waiting at the door to all pile onto us as we step off... Quickly there are kids hanging from every limb of our bodies, and the love is instant.

Yesterday, I spent the day with two little girls, Amanda and Chanderise. They are cousins- one is 8, the other is 5. They braided my "yellow" hair and we played soccer, until it began to rain. Then they taught me the latest "Patty cake" rendition. Their favorite song is Diamonds by Rihanna- and they knew every word. It was so awesome to me that we connected over little things like that. As we head back this afternoon, I hope that they will be waiting to tackle me down once I get there!

Chanderise (5) and Amanda (8)

Another amazing thing-- I met a little boy named Bradley yesterday- he was 9 and plays rugby. I told him about my brother and my dad and how they all shared the same name. Though he was extremely shy and wouldn't' really talk to me, he grabbed my hand and wouldn't leave my side. It was so great to see the little things like this connection that can really make a difference. I have to get a picture with him today! He wasn't up for it yesterday..... not too different from my own brother.

Everyday it is so hard to say bye to these kids and not know if you will see them the next day- It is only day 2, I can't imagine what it's going to be like on Friday, when it's the real good bye.

Will keep updating!
xoxo
Liv

World Cup to Cupcakes... and some things in between.

Moyo ("Hello"),

Once again… I really need to shorten the time between posts, because then I have way too much to write about and share.

One of Nelson Mandela's wardens at Robben Island

So last time we “talked”, I had just gotten back from Robben Island…

One of the cell blocks at Robben Island

Locked up abroad 

Our next adventure was about a 2-hour drive to Cape Point, which is the southern most tip of Africa. It was awesome… minus the overcast weather. But the views were incredible- we got dropped at cape point and then hiked up to the top.

Southern Tip of Africa- closest to Antarctica 

That afternoon we went to Boulders Beach, which is known for an abundance of African penguins just lounging in the sand and riding the waves. They were so funny to watch! We didn’t get too spend as much time as we hoped though because the rain caught us. Mom, you would’ve loved them! 

One afternoon we decided to tour the stadium where the World Cup was held in 2010- I had been waiting to do this since we got here because the stadium from the outside was ginormous! We got to go in the locker rooms, private boxes, and get close enough to the field to get yelled to back off because you aren’t allowed to touch the grass. The stadium was awesome! I didn’t know a ton of concerts are put on there as well: Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2, and Justin Beiber have recently performed... Rihanna is set to perform in October.

At the World Cup Stadium (2010)

On Thursday, we traveled about an hour away to a small town in the wine country of South Africa, Franschhoek. We spent the day at “Haut Espoir” a small family run vineyard and learned about the entire process of wine making and selling. The owner is about 6’6”which gives name to his famous blend, “The Gentle Giant”… This was such a fun day!

 

The "Gentle Giant"himself

Friday we went to the Green Market, which is an outdoor flea market type place to get jerseys for the local Rugby game that we were going to on Saturday… the market was interesting, as we were literally followed around the corners, begged to buy whatever they were selling. We got our jerseys and decided to move on. We went looking for this other market that was opening for the first time that day and instead we found literally a freak circus… It was not what we expected. We watched a guy in a samurai costume put on an “act” pretending to chop popcorn with his sword… it was interesting to say the least.... On another note... Oprah's all time favorite bakery in the world is here in Cape Town, Charly's Bakery, so I was going to be sure I made it there before the end of the trip- and it was just what I hoped (Maxie B's times ten.. minus the pumpkin choc chip option)... but I quickly went with the Red Velvet cupcake! 

Saturday it was time for the Old Biscuit Mill again, I had been waiting all week to go back and do some more exploring… and stuff myself as much as possible. I went for the caprese omelet once again, couldn’t resist it after the first time. We all shared bites of mini pancakes again! 

That afternoon was the rugby game and we had a traditional “braai” before (African barbeque/tailgate)… the weather stunk but we still went out to the game and it was a lot of fun! People still get just as rowdy. Talk about a rough sport, this was intense. I tried to follow along but was very confused. GO STORMERS! 

Rugby Game- Cape Town Stormers

 This week we will be in the townships everyday- I have been looking forward to this part and can’t wait to invest myself in these kids, I know that their contagious smiles will make the early mornings completely worth it! I will update soon (sooner than last time) with the events from this week and pictures of the kids who are stealing my heart!

With love from Cape Town,

Liv

xoxo

(here they just say xxxx)... 

The Past Week- An Ear Full :)

This is long overdue… and I have a lot to catch up on-

Since the last time I posted we have been so busy!

List of things we have done to try to keep this short:

1. Amy Biehl Foundation/ Townships Tour

2. We climbed Table Mountain- one of the 7 wonders of the world

3. Old Biscuit Mill

4. Church

5. Robben Island

Scroll and Read what you are interested in J

1.  Amy Biehl Foundation is an organization in the surrounding townships of Cape Town in which they run after school programs to try to keep the kids involved and busy so that they aren’t out on the streets after school lets out- We got to visit 3 of the after school care locations last week and it was absolutely amazing! The smile on these kids faces made me never want to complain about a small thing again- Seeing the joy that they have and knowing how little they have puts so much into perspective. At every location they performed for us- these kids are so talented musically and are great dancers. We also toured the townships, where the after school care programs are, I never really knew how bad poverty was until that afternoon. These people have no running water, no sewers, and basically 4 pieces of tin leaning against each other to form a “house”- Next week we begin a week of service in the townships and I am now so excited to get back in there and make a difference in their lives and mostly to see those contagious smiles again!

2.   Table Mountain is right here in Cape Town, and is 1 of the 7 wonders of the world. Since we first arrived, a day has not gone by that I haven’t seen Table Mountain- it is the backdrop from anywhere in the city. We started the hike around 1 and it took us about 2 hours to make it to the top- I mean on our hands and knees at some points scaling rocks…this was intense. But with the support of friends and knowing we had an awesome view at the top, WE MADE IT! When we got to the top it was breathtaking, I felt like I was on top of the world.  It was kind of overcast that morning so we were worried about our view at the top but what we found was that we were above the clouds when we reached the top of the mountain so it was great- it seemed like we were in heaven.

3.  The Old Biscuit Mill… wow, this place is awesome! Only open on Saturdays, it is a market that has vendors selling anything from crepes, omelets, and mini pancakes, too rings, clothing, and cutting boards.  We ran into Drew Berrymore at one of the clothing booths… pretty good timing I’d say! The food was out of this world! Can’t wait to make a trip back next Saturday and look forward to buying some gifts for friends/family back home!

4. On Sunday, we traveled to a church that was about 30 minutes away that opens its doors to the homeless and whose services the children mostly lead. It was awesome! Dr. Mo and Mr. Mo (two of our teachers) are involved in ministry in the States and they really did an awesome job delivering the sermon on Sunday. Seeing kids here with such a strong faith is really great- it is cool to see that though our worlds are so far apart and we come from such different backgrounds that everyone can still connect through one thing- FAITH

Glimpse at one of the townships 

Half way up Table Mtn.

Sitting on the clouds :)

At the after school programs

Top of Table Mtn.

Mini Pancakes at OBM

5.  Today, we took about a 30 minute ferry ride to Robben Island- an island off the coast of South Africa that used to be a maximum security prison, and also the site where Nelson Mandela was held for so many years. It held political prisoners as well as criminal prisoners… and the most shocking off all- it didn’t close its doors until 1991- today serves as a museum.

Wow- so that was all a mouthful and probably somewhat boring but I just wanted to catch everyone up on my travels and what we have been doing!

The food is great, the people are great, I desperately need to start working out more, and the weather has gotten CHILLY!

Miss my fam and friends!

Xoxo