Friday night I saw my first rugby match, sandwiched between stops at a pub near the Newlands Rugby Stadium. Newlands is South Africa's largest rugby stadium, and people here are passionate about rugby. We sat behind the visiting team, in the sixth row and couldn't have had better seats. Amazingly, they cost the equivalent of about US$6! We at at the stadium, and I had a boerewor and chips, that is, what I would call a South African version of a bratwurst and French fries. The people sitting around our group of 14 Americans were quite willing to explain the nuances of the sport. The game is a much faster sport than American football, and the players wear no protective equipment. It's exciting, and the fans cheered passionately. Unfortunately, Western Province (the home team) was soundly trounced by the Sharks (from Durban). I discovered to my surprise that I really enjoyed the match and would like to see rugby again.
Yesterday, six of us hired a driver and explored the Cape Peninsua, driving down the Atalantic side to Cape Point, where we ate lunch in a wonderful seafood restaurant. My seafood platter was so beautiful that I photographed it. Then we drove back up the Indian Ocean side. Because we stopped frequently in towns or to take advantage of the beautiful weather and breath-taking views, the trip lasted from about 8:30 am until 7:00 pm. We stopped at "World of Birds," an aviary in Hout Bay, as well as the Hout Bay waterfront, where I fed a seal weighing about 560 kilos. We saw a troop of wild baboons on the side of the road, including two babies, and all kindly posed for us. From atop Cape Point we watched four Southern Right whales swin across a bay. We also saw some kind of bok, probably gemsbok but it was too far away to be certain. We saw wild ostriche, and we stopped just outside Simonstown on the Indian Ocean side to see a penguin colony. We were able to walk right through their nesting area and stand with them all around us. Last night I rested but some went out to enjoy the nightlife.
This morning was lazy--I caught up on emails and rested a bit. This afternoon we shopped at Green Point Market, a flea market-style craft fair that runs along one side of the still-under-construction soccer stadium for the 2010 World Cup. I bargained and got some good buys, including a traditional African dress that I will have to alter to fit me. It will be great for teaching and making presentations on my trip.
Tomorrow is Monday, so I will be starting my second week at placement (Blossom Stree Primary School). I can't believe time is flying by so quickly, yet I have seen and done so much in this short time. I am afraid it will fly by.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Cape of Good Hope and Rugby
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2 comments:
Glenda, it's been awhile since you've posted! What's doing? How are things going? What's coming of your language lessons? Are they as comfortable with Dewey as you are? (I know that familiarity was a relief.) What's up with the mold? Updates!
How are the students treating you? I'm sure they've fallen in love and don't want to let you go. Is this an opportunity that you'll have to go back to?
Elic, elic, elic, so many questions . . . okay, let me try to answer
1) I'm am so busy having so many new experiences, meeting people, engaging in meaningful conversations about complicated issues, eating (a lot) of exotic foods, and trying to get the inconsistent and sometimes unreliable internet connection and email situation to cooperate.
2)Afrikaans lessons are once a week, so I have only had 3 lessons, but believe it or not, I can pick up a fair amount because I am near-fluent in German and there is a relationship between the two languages. I firmly believe that if I were here longer, I could really learn Afrikaans. I want to try to keep learning it when I get home, even though it isn't a language I've be able to use much at home.
3)Work in the library is slow because there is so much to do. Two other volunteers are now helping, and the principal and teachers are very excited about this. The principal recognized us in a staff meeting this week and thanked us for taking on this task. We were applauded. I feel so needed.
4) Mold is gone, and so I am well again. Mold allergy is a terrible thing when you sleep in a room with a mold infestation. I'm glad it's fixed, or I might have landed in hospital. All's well now.
5) Imagine this. . . whenever an adult walks into a classroom, all the children stand and say, in unison, "Good morning, teacher." And I'm talking about sixth graders here! Man, I wish I could get that respect at home. I feel real affection from the children. We have been writing a letter to the kids in my school at home. I'm going to take pictures of the kids to attach to their letters, and kids at Ranson will become their penpals.
6) Given the chance, I'd come back in a Manhatten minute to volunteer at Blossom Street Primary School again. My dream is to do this again and bring a whole team of NCAE members with me. Want to come with?
Greetings to everyone. Can't wait to show you my pictures!
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