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)...