some sweet stuff

Started off last Friday afternoon spending several hours baking biscuits/cookies for the outreach we'd be taking part in the next day. This in itself was quite an adventure, and I got to spend it with some incredible ladies from the Y, Katherine, Akhona, and Musa (not pictured).

Later on that evening after returning from the Y's weekly Friday night meetings (Hub) Nichelle got to baking her family's banana muffin recipe. Ahhh soooo goood. Did I mention this girl is single? Heh heh (she will kill me).

And that same Friday night, we went and joined our friend Sonora as she was baking some brownies for a township community day the following morning. Don't mind if I do.

And now I'd like to take a moment to introduce you all to one our favorite places in town...this little bakery! I don't even know what it is called, but it run by a kind old man who's name we ought to know by now. His shop is located in town (all the shops on Main Road) at a complex called the Riverside Mall, though it is not really a shopping mall... It must've been the second week we were here in South Africa walking leaving the venue when Sonora mentioned smelling something heavenly down the way during her previous visit. So we strolled down the way and caught a glimpse of the smell and found this gem.

Thus, Nichelle and I visit this place just about every weekend. We purchase fresh bread and muffins from him and his employees, and our most recent infatuation has been with an herb and olive oil loaf of bread. I have met my match in Nichelle. I have finally met someone who loves bread as much as I do. 

And a little notice to my wonderful mother who is probably concerned--don't worry I don't eat it all at once! Haha.

the hipster den n' friends

I mentioned this place, The Old Biscuit Mill, in the one with the food but I knew there'd have to be a post dedicated to this place. Many of us Americans refer to it as OBM, but I've found that locals have no idea what we talk about when we use that acronym. So I guess we are not as clever as we think haha.

I have made some local friends (Sash and Janelle, though Janelle is a full time UCT student from Canada) and found out that neither had been to this hipster den. Alas, the foreigner has once again become a guide (missing my campus job haha) and I was able to spend a Saturday morning out with these two!

Welcome to the Mill, where the food is good and the people are fun to watch:

Awesome band that performed a while back... I'll try to remember their name sometime haha

Though touristy, Old Biscuit Mill has the magic of bringing together people from all over the world to celebrate the diversity in food, culture, and music. It is really a Cape Townian treasure.

lessons - session 6

1. I think I've finally gotten the "X" pronounciation in Xhosa down. Only took a good seven weeks.

2. The question asked here has nothing to do with whether or not you are in a relationship; rather it is "are you married." When I answer no, the next question is, "do you have kids?" Alrighty then.

3. With as crazy as the driving is here, I repeatedly hear that it is Cape Town that has the most safe drivers in all of the country. Wow.

4. The same ^^^ goes for levels of violence, though Cape Town has it's share of robberies and such, many locals say it does not compare to other major cities at all. So sad to hear :(

5. I have finally made the trek from my flat to the main campus (let's not forget most of this is an incline). We were to be somewhere early in the morning on a Saturday and the shuttles only run on an hourly basis during the weekend; thus, the wait time was unpredictable. Knew it had to be done some time.

6. Went to an event for Powerhouse, Hillsong Church's 18-25 young adult ministry at one of the large performance theaters in town. It was crazy beautiful, and I don't think I've laughed that hard in a while. Good stuff right there.

7. Went on an outreach for an orphanage/foster/childcare home and we took the kiddos to the Cape Town Museum. The trip included a show in the planetarium, but when they explained that there are only eight planets, some of us university students couldn't handle it. Live on, Pluto. Post to come about this one soon!

worldwide

As of Friday morning, each member of my immediate family temporarily resides in four different time zones. Loving each other from all over the world. So excited for my sister to begin her travels abroad in Japan, can't wait to hear all of your stories! Skype dates will surely be a bit more difficult, but we are still one. Love you guys always, and thank you for your support :)

(Thanks for the permission to post that one haha)

And the best wishes for all my friends who have recently left for abroad or are leaving soon! So incredible to realize that so many students from the DU community are all over the world at the same point in time. I'll try my best keep up with your adventures as well my friends!

hillsong & sisterhood

As many of you already know, I've had the privilege of attending services out here at one of the four Hillsong South Africa campuses here in Cape Town. Hillsong Church Century City had four services every Sunday, the first three a morning service with the same message and the last was a different talk that started at 4:30 in the evening. The church has arranged so that the major universities in the area (Univ. of Cape Town, Stellenbosch, and the Western Cape) all have shuttle transportation to the evening service, so the young adult presence is very high. I have also heard that a lot of the other prominent churches in the area have our Jammie buses arrange transportation to their locations as well, I am so thankful for these services.There are typically eight full-sized buses that transport UCT students every Sunday, and I'd estimate that is right around 300-400 students from my university who attend. 

And, as of just last Sunday evening, they have split the evening service into two separate times to better meet the space requirements for all of the people who like to come. There is nothing better than when even the overflow sections start to overflow.

The first week I attended, this was one of the "centerpieces" in the foyer area. They've got some great, creative decor and it all makes you feel so welcomed.  One of their main motifs if just that; a place where you can call home.

  The Pastor is Phil Dooley, originally from the base church in Australia but was sent out several years ago to pastor the new locations out here in South Africa. He is hilarious, very creative, and seems like an outstanding man. His wife is Lucinda Dooley and super awesome all together. They are currently in a series called heroes in which P. Phil interviews and dedicates a service to some real-life heroes. Below he interviewed a long time friend of his, who also happens to be his father-in-law.

This past weekend was a well-anticipated event for all the women (and younger girls) of Cape Town, a ladies ministry event called Sisterhood. Pastor Reggie Dabbs, a motivational speaker and jazz instrumentalist from Texas, was the guest speaker and was quite a riot. Had a blast joining together in such a great manner. And we got some super great seats!!

All of the male volunteers wore pink aprons. Guess who's camera flash went off when trying to sneak a picture...

i do not own this photo

Though I'm always willing to check out some other churches in the area as well, it's been so enjoyable worshiping, learning, and growing with this dynamic group of people that is Hillsong Church.

I'll leave you with a good snapshot of how most evenings end. Still trying to figure out where this came from, but after closing out the services a bunch of guys hop on stage for a "little" dance party... and a sea of people join the party. Check it out:

hermanus - the adventures

On our last day, Sunday morning, several of us decided to wake up bright and early to watch the sunrise over the bay. Again, I didn't bring my phone with me for this first part of the adventure, but others got some great shots. A whole lotta love on those cliffs.

Photo cred: Kate N.

And after a well-prepared breakfast that morning we were off to the woods to take a canopy tour of Hermanus. I have zip-lined before several times at youth camps and the like, but none were to the extent (in both length and quality) as zipping through the South African wilderness. I have a greater issue with fast motion over any sort of fear of heights, but there is something about letting your legs dangle 60 feet in the air right before you propel yourself into the skies. So much smiles my cheeks couldn't handle it .

Photo cred: Sonora D.

After these lovely thrills we had some down time before we had to leave later that afternoon, so a bunch of us went out to town to enjoy the last bit of the town of Hermanus as much as possible.

Had a delightful piece of cherry pie from a place called the Belgian Bakery. The service, however, could have used a bit more sugar themselves haha

But these ladies are sweet enough for the entire bakery ;)

Till we meet again Hermanus! So thankful for this awesome excursion!

Lessons - Session 5

1. I've got a small, local coffee shop in town that is my go-to study place, Vive e Cafe, and I am on a first name basis with all of the baristas. It is a dream come true. The guys who work there are hilarious (though loud haha).

2.  It's amazing how the very thing you think should be pronounced a certain way (your name) is not always as it seems. For example, met this guy named Grant and us Americans say 'Gr-ant,' whereas he pronounces it almost Gr-aunt (give your best British/South African imitation my friends). 'Gr-ant' is what we naturally regurgitate back to him, but that's not similar by any means! Tried to pronounce it as 'Gr-aunt' a few times and he says I should still with my American accent.

3. Most people who do not work in tourist-y areas do not know what napkins are; they are referred to as serviettes.

4. I was trying to describe a girl I had met to a local friend of mine and he asked if she was "plump" with the most serious face. We might see this as a term that is offensive, but here it's not a bad thing at all. Just a description no different than black, white, or coloured. Still getting used to everyone's frankness.

5. I got on a Jammie with a bunch of the old, mean ladies who use the shuttle bus early one morning. They spoke their native language and were hollering and laughing real loud, then suddenly the bus driver stops in the middle of the road and turns around to shout at them. Threatened to have them banned from the bus (yes!) if they continue the behavior. They laughed at him and got off. Don't know what they were saying, but they abuse these poor guys.

6. Spent an entire day last weekend all by myself hopping from different places studying, and it was one of my favorite days (among many) since I've been here.

7. My roommate and I have some West African friends (Nigerians and a Kenyan) we've made that live in the Nest (our flat complex). Had them over for dinner and put together an "American" meal (soft tacos--hence the quotes) that really turned out to be burritos. None of them had even heard of a burrito, much less tortillas or guacamole. They prepared some West African dishes later on and we are on our way to becoming "thick." Hooray.

Have a good week :)

hermanus - the hippy house

One of the best parts of our excursion was the place that we stayed. It was called Hermanus Backpackers and it is a company that houses travelers from all around the world and arranges activities for them to do while visiting the town. 

The second you walk in, it feels like home... if you consider home a colorful and cozy place. There were maybe 6-8(?) different rooms in the house, and my program rented out three of them, housing 6-7 people in each room. We lived among strangers from foreign lands, as we were strangers to them as well. Inside you found a kitchen, dining tables, a couple different living rooms, while outside there was a fire pit, small pool, and bar/gabezo/game area. I have been to very few places as inviting as Hermanus Backpackers. Our program even arranged for them to provide us with a braai on the first night where we had some beefy steaks and each morning was a hearty breakfast. 

Though we spent a good amount of time exploring the town and participating in some great adventures outdoors (coming soon!) we made sure to make the most of this cozy little place and enjoy it while we could.

Friday was also International Women's Day (for which we got school off!). We celebrate like real women.

Monopoly in half English and Afrikaans!

Also learned how to play Texas Hold'em that night with Jenga blocks. Yours truly had that lovely pile right there.

You really ought to make yourself at home...

I quickly spoke to one of the girls who ran the place; she was about 28 years old originally from South Africa and Britain, but leaving soon to be a yoga instructor in Thailand. It doesn't get anymore hippy than that. She told me that there were four of them that have held up this successful venture, and they were all in their late 20s/early 30s so it was incredible to see these people making a living off what they really loved. So great, so great.

There is a festival of sorts in Hermanus later on in September, so a couple of us may be back in town around then. We now know the perfect place to stay :)