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

WE MADE IT!

Wow, I have never spent so much time in an airplane- an 8 hour flight to Amsterdam followed by an 11 hour flight to Cape Town. But we are safe, after way to much "airplane food" I am glad to be here. I am still getting over jet lag- Cape Town is 6 hours ahead. 

THIS PLACE IS AMAZING!

We have been here for about 2 full days now and I am already in awe by everything. The landscape here and natural landmarks are like nothing I've ever seen. Everyone here is very friendly and excited to have us in their city. 

So to give a run down of our basic schedule: This week we have class in the morning from about 

9-12:30 and then some afternoons are planned and some are free. 

On Monday, we met as a large group in the morning and went over our plans and goals for the whole trip and then in the afternoon we all boarded buses for the city tour. We traveled to Lions Head, Camps Bay, District 6, and the slave museum. 

It was so interesting and intriguing to learn so much about the history of South Africa. Segregation didn't end here until 1994 and thats when democracy and elections first began. We traveled to District 6 which is a "neighborhood" which was hit hard by the apartheid, It was quickly bulldozed-because of their color they were no longer able to live there and were evicted from their homes. We went to the District 6 museum where people can now go to learn about this time in history- there was a map on the ground of all the different streets in District 6 and all the residents had signed their names where they used to live (photo below).

Lions Head and Camps Bay:

This was taken near District 6

Monday night we got to go to a traditional African Restaurant, Moyo, it was an awesome atmosphere. They come around and paint your faces during the meal and live music is played the entire night. I wasn't a huge fan of the food- they are really into spices here, especially cinnamon. But the dessert, made up for it! A traditional dessert in South Africa, it was a muffin type bread with custard drizzled over top.

 Today (Tuesday):
             This morning we had class again, but it was a diversity panel of different people from South Africa, it was interesting to hear there takes on life here and the struggles some of them have gone through.
After class we had a free afternoon- we headed to the V&A Waterfront, a very well known part of Cape Town. We grabbed lunch outside by the water.... quickly learned that they don't split up bills here. So that was interesting combined with the fact that the South African currency is the Rand- so my lunch which would have been around $9 was actually around 95 Rands, hard to get used too.

At the top of the ferris wheel you can get a great view of the city- look forward to doing this one afternoon!

Our chosen lunch spot-

The waterfront was awesome, I look forward to going back very often, as we didn't even get to see everything cause it was so large. 

Cape Town is awesome, Hope all is well in the states- I sure miss having ice in my drinks. 

I will try to keep posting every couple of days! 

p.s. 

Mom, Sorry this is late- Know you have been waiting ;) 

Miss you! 

Prior to Departure..

    In just about a week I will be boarding a plane to Cape Town, South Africa. I am beyond ecstatic! Here is a little lowdown about the trip... We are on the ground for about 5 1/2 weeks. I am going with an organization called Global LEAD, that is so wonderful. Their components are beyond any other study abroad- a combination of Leadership. Education. Adventure. Diplomacy. The trip is broken up into different focus weeks, narrowing in on one of the components each week.

    We will stay centralized in Cape Town for a majority of the time where we will immerse ourselves in the culture and lives of these people. In Cape Town we live with 3 other students- luckily one of my best friends from high school is also taking on this adventure with me, Kathleen. Who most of y'all know as the wild one- I will keep you up to date with stories that will be sure to entertain. Texie, one of my good friends from school is also on the trip- and other than that there are 80+ strangers that I can't wait to meet!

On adventure week, we will all hop in a Safari truck and travel up the coast of Southern Africa on a game drive. My palms will be sweaty from the start of the week and my legs probably won't stop shaking until we get back to home base. We swim with great white sharks... which for those that know me know I don't go in the ocean past my waist. We come face to face with giraffes, monkeys, lions, cheetahs, ride elephants, and ride ostriches (hmmm..).

A sneak peak of a few more things we do:
Hike Table Mountain (the landmark of South Africa)
Eat a lot of good food
Travel to Robben Island- where Nelson Mandela was held
Plan our days around watching the sun "rise and set"
Visit Boulders Beach (home of the African penguins)
Explore underground caves

and if I go crazy enough.. I may go sky diving.. Don't hold me to this one.

During service week, which I am probably most excited about, we travel about an hour outside of Cape Town where we invest in the youth of an undeserved township. I have heard that spending the week with these children is one of the most life changing experiences and most rewarding things during our time abroad.

I am beyond excited to be embarking on this trip- Please travel with me through my posts. And hold my hand during adventure week.

Liv

Here is an aerial view of the tip of Cape Town. You can see Table Mountain just under the skyline. The large "doughnut" is the site where the World Cup was held in 2010.
Wow.. I can't wait to get there!