Saturday 8 October

Today was amazing. We just spent the day in Franschhoek which is probably my new favourite place in the world. It is absolutely beautiful. Today we went to Cook Franschhoek which was basically a cooking festival. Our first stop was at Solms Delta where I was very happy to hear that they do a lot of work for the community around them including education for the families that live on the farm and music programs for students in the area. That plus the great food made me love this place. We watched a demonstration of a salmon dish which was incredible. Then we enjoyed a three course meal which included the salmon dish we watched being made and then a choice of either risotto or lamb. I had the risotto and it was delicious. It was creamy and had some great cheese pieced with it. Then for dessert we had roobios milk tart topped with lemon sorbet and coconut foam. Also delicious. I loved the crust of the milk tart especially. I was so full after that. The entire demonstration and the three course lunch took about three hours. Can you imagine eating like that all the time?

Our next step was the Le Franschhoek Hotel which was gorgeous. The view, the hotel, everything was beautiful. This was a much smaller setting with about ten people. This course was just dessert but it was amazing. It was chocolate hazelnut dacquoise. It consisted of chocolate mousse with layers of hazelnut meringue. I even got to help whip the egg whites into shape. The end result was this rich dectate dessert. So good and they even gave you the recipe. I will try to recreate it 🙂  It was a great day. With great food and good company how can I complain?

Saturday 8 October

Today was amazing. We just spent the day in Franschhoek which is probably my new favourite place in the world. It is absolutely beautiful. Today we went to Cook Franschhoek which was basically a cooking festival. Our first stop was at Solms Delta where I was very happy to hear that they do a lot of work for the community around them including education for the families that live on the farm and music programs for students in the area. That plus the great food made me love this place. We watched a demonstration of a salmon dish which was incredible. Then we enjoyed a three course meal which included the salmon dish we watched being made and then a choice of either risotto or lamb. I had the risotto and it was delicious. It was creamy and had some great cheese pieced with it. Then for dessert we had roobios milk tart topped with lemon sorbet and coconut foam. Also delicious. I loved the crust of the milk tart especially. I was so full after that. The entire demonstration and the three course lunch took about three hours. Can you imagine eating like that all the time?

Our next step was the Le Franschhoek Hotel which was gorgeous. The view, the hotel, everything was beautiful. This was a much smaller setting with about ten people. This course was just dessert but it was amazing. It was chocolate hazelnut dacquoise. It consisted of chocolate mousse with layers of hazelnut meringue. I even got to help whip the egg whites into shape. The end result was this rich dectate dessert. So good and they even gave you the recipe. I will try to recreate it 🙂  It was a great day. With great food and good company how can I complain?

Tuesday 4 October

I am currently sitting on a train waiting to go back to Gordon’s Bay. Yesterday I enjoyed a half day spa treatment. It was amazing. I had to get up early around 7am in order to get pick up at 7:30 and taken to Zevenwacht. My appointment was for 8:30. I decided to leave extra early so I could make sure that I got there on time. It was a good thing to because I got there just in time. There really was no rush though because the day started with breakfast and it was my favourite: museli (granola). It was served with plain yogurt and there was lots of fruit and some pastries included. It was delicious. I savoured every single bite. My first treatment was a foot massage and it was heavenly. It included a leg massage and I was surprised by how much my shins hurt. I think they’re sore from running very much. The actual foot massage was wonderful and it lasted 55 minutes in fact all the sessions lasted that long. The view was stunning even though the weather was crap, gray and rainy. The spa place was seated on top a hill overlooking Cape Town and it was a wonderful view to behold. Once the session was over, we were served fresh juice and then I had a head and shoulders massage. I’ve never had a head massage so I was very interested to see how it was. The shoulders part was very good especially since they have been sore lately. The head massage was nice too. They put oil in your hair which is supposed to be good for dry scalps. It was very nice but my favourite was the full body massage especially the back massage and the hot stones. They massaged your feet, legs, back and arms. It was absolute heaven and a great way to end the spa day. It definitely went by too fast. Ali wants to go back before she goes home so I’m definitely looking forward to an entire day of spa treatments.

My original plan after the spa day was to get a taxi to the nearest train station and go to Cape Town to visit my friend, Maggie who ran track with me in high school. She is studying abroad here for a semester. She actually lives in the same house I lived in two years ago oddly enough. Anyways, Mangwanai (the spa place) was kind enough to provide free transport. The driver took me to Maitland an area that I’m not familiar with. However he dropped me off at the train station so I was able after much to do find my way to Cape Town. It was only after I was in the minibus headed to Mowbray where Maggie lives that she texted me telling me that she was sick and couldn’t hang out (of course). I had just gotten to Cape Town so I wasn’t about to leave so I called up Esther, my friend from the school I used to volunteer at two years ago when I was here before. She was available so I visited her instead. The original plan was to leave at 4 so I could make sure I got back to Gordon’s Bay before dark. But Esther invited me to spend the night and even though I wasn’t prepared at all to spend the night, I decided to stay. She first introduced me to all her co-workers. She works and lives on the premises of a seventh day Adventist church. After introductions, we went to Pick n Pay to shop for dinner. Esther made pap, sauce with beef and cabbage while I sat on her bed watching TV. South African TV is very confusing and hilarious. I was very amused by their various soaps and TV programs. Lots of them are in different languages mainly Afrikaans and Xhosa. But they do have subtitles some of the time. While dinner was cooking, Esther took me on a walk to Newlands Forest. She walks every day and always the same route. The route was almost all uphill on the way there and then downhill on the way back. It was beautiful though. That’s one thing I love about Cape Town and Gordon’s Bay doesn’t really have it: hiking trails. Or maybe I just haven’t found them yet. After the walk we bathed and then enjoyed a well-deserved meal. It was very salty and very good. I loved it. I even tried to eat in the way you’re supposed to eat it: by hand. It was difficult especially since the pap was boiling hot. Pap by the way is ground up maize (or corn) sorta like mashed potatoes but thicker. It was really good. After that we watched more TV until we finally fell asleep.

In the morning I slept in while Esther went to work. I could have honestly spent the entire day in bed but after breakfast I decided to walk up to the Newlands Forest again just because it was such a nice walk. I walked a different way then I did with Esther but I made sure to keep note of where I was going. I finally stopped at a bench that looked like it had been put there just for me. It overlooked Cape Town and the view was beautiful. I could have sat there for hours taking it all but alas I had to meet to Esther so I enjoyed the view for a while before finding my way back. It was lunch time by the time I got back so Esther and I enjoyed leftovers and some more TV. It was really lovely. After that it was time to go because getting anywhere in this country takes a while. I had to take a minibus from Claremont to Cape Town and then take the train from Cape Town to Strand and then finally take a taxi from Strand to Gordon’s Bay. In total, it took about three hours which is double the amount of time it would take if you took a taxi but it was cheaper and I enjoy travelling this way especially when you’re not in a rush so I can’t complain.

Tuesday 4 October

I am currently sitting on a train waiting to go back to Gordon’s Bay. Yesterday I enjoyed a half day spa treatment. It was amazing. I had to get up early around 7am in order to get pick up at 7:30 and taken to Zevenwacht. My appointment was for 8:30. I decided to leave extra early so I could make sure that I got there on time. It was a good thing to because I got there just in time. There really was no rush though because the day started with breakfast and it was my favourite: museli (granola). It was served with plain yogurt and there was lots of fruit and some pastries included. It was delicious. I savoured every single bite. My first treatment was a foot massage and it was heavenly. It included a leg massage and I was surprised by how much my shins hurt. I think they’re sore from running very much. The actual foot massage was wonderful and it lasted 55 minutes in fact all the sessions lasted that long. The view was stunning even though the weather was crap, gray and rainy. The spa place was seated on top a hill overlooking Cape Town and it was a wonderful view to behold. Once the session was over, we were served fresh juice and then I had a head and shoulders massage. I’ve never had a head massage so I was very interested to see how it was. The shoulders part was very good especially since they have been sore lately. The head massage was nice too. They put oil in your hair which is supposed to be good for dry scalps. It was very nice but my favourite was the full body massage especially the back massage and the hot stones. They massaged your feet, legs, back and arms. It was absolute heaven and a great way to end the spa day. It definitely went by too fast. Ali wants to go back before she goes home so I’m definitely looking forward to an entire day of spa treatments.

My original plan after the spa day was to get a taxi to the nearest train station and go to Cape Town to visit my friend, Maggie who ran track with me in high school. She is studying abroad here for a semester. She actually lives in the same house I lived in two years ago oddly enough. Anyways, Mangwanai (the spa place) was kind enough to provide free transport. The driver took me to Maitland an area that I’m not familiar with. However he dropped me off at the train station so I was able after much to do find my way to Cape Town. It was only after I was in the minibus headed to Mowbray where Maggie lives that she texted me telling me that she was sick and couldn’t hang out (of course). I had just gotten to Cape Town so I wasn’t about to leave so I called up Esther, my friend from the school I used to volunteer at two years ago when I was here before. She was available so I visited her instead. The original plan was to leave at 4 so I could make sure I got back to Gordon’s Bay before dark. But Esther invited me to spend the night and even though I wasn’t prepared at all to spend the night, I decided to stay. She first introduced me to all her co-workers. She works and lives on the premises of a seventh day Adventist church. After introductions, we went to Pick n Pay to shop for dinner. Esther made pap, sauce with beef and cabbage while I sat on her bed watching TV. South African TV is very confusing and hilarious. I was very amused by their various soaps and TV programs. Lots of them are in different languages mainly Afrikaans and Xhosa. But they do have subtitles some of the time. While dinner was cooking, Esther took me on a walk to Newlands Forest. She walks every day and always the same route. The route was almost all uphill on the way there and then downhill on the way back. It was beautiful though. That’s one thing I love about Cape Town and Gordon’s Bay doesn’t really have it: hiking trails. Or maybe I just haven’t found them yet. After the walk we bathed and then enjoyed a well-deserved meal. It was very salty and very good. I loved it. I even tried to eat in the way you’re supposed to eat it: by hand. It was difficult especially since the pap was boiling hot. Pap by the way is ground up maize (or corn) sorta like mashed potatoes but thicker. It was really good. After that we watched more TV until we finally fell asleep.

In the morning I slept in while Esther went to work. I could have honestly spent the entire day in bed but after breakfast I decided to walk up to the Newlands Forest again just because it was such a nice walk. I walked a different way then I did with Esther but I made sure to keep note of where I was going. I finally stopped at a bench that looked like it had been put there just for me. It overlooked Cape Town and the view was beautiful. I could have sat there for hours taking it all but alas I had to meet to Esther so I enjoyed the view for a while before finding my way back. It was lunch time by the time I got back so Esther and I enjoyed leftovers and some more TV. It was really lovely. After that it was time to go because getting anywhere in this country takes a while. I had to take a minibus from Claremont to Cape Town and then take the train from Cape Town to Strand and then finally take a taxi from Strand to Gordon’s Bay. In total, it took about three hours which is double the amount of time it would take if you took a taxi but it was cheaper and I enjoy travelling this way especially when you’re not in a rush so I can’t complain.

Friday 23 September-Sunday 25 September

This weekend Harriet, Rodrigo and I went to Hermanus for the annual whale festival. I actually went to the festival two years ago when I was here previously. The weather was pretty bad last time I went. I remember it was cold and rainy. But Friday when we went the weather was beautiful, sunny without a cloud in the sky. We rented a car and because of a mistake with the car company (their fault not mine) we got upgraded to a huge Toyota SUV. This thing was a monster and I was pretty nervous about driving it. That and the fact that they drive on the left hand side here made me a bit anxious. But it didn’t take long to get used to it and the fact that I was so nervous made me extra careful probably more so than I would have been usually.

We left Gordon’s Bay at about 4 after I went and picked up the car and since we were in no rush, we stopped at the dam in Gordon’s Bay. It’s located on the mountains that overlook our fair city and both Harriet and Rodrigo had never been. There is an absolute beautiful view from up there and I really just wanted to show them that and drive up the super windy road that takes you up there. We took a few pictures before heading back down and embarking on our journey to Hermanus. Hermanus is located about an hour and half away from Gordon’s Bay and we took the long way so we could get a chance to drive along the coast. The drive was beautiful, lots of curves which was kind of scary but overall it was very enjoyable. We even saw a whale on a way there so I had to pull over just so we could get a glimpse of this great giant of the sea. It was awesome.

Finding our way to the backpackers took some doing but we finally arrived at our destination: Hermanus Backpackers. It was a very nice backpackers and the price included breakfast which you know I loved. We relaxed for a bit before going to see where the action was and finding our way to the main part of Hermanus. We met up with some other volunteers who were just coming for the night and had dinner. I can’t remember the name of the place but I know the food was good.

After dinner, we went to a concert. Mel had highly recommended a band called Prime Circle so we went to check it out. The opening band was a group called D7 and they were so good. I loved them. They were this a capella group and they were fabulous. I took a video of them because I loved them so much. They beat boxed, sang and even busted a couple moves. Prime Circle however was not my cup of tea. They reminded me of Nickelback and those kinds of groups from the 90s. It was honestly torture and I felt really bad because we spent R130 to get into this concert and didn’t want to waste it by leaving. So we sat in the tables at the back, talking and mostly trying to drown out the music. Horrible, I know but they just weren’t my style. Eventually we did decide to call it quits and walked back in the dark to our nice comfy beds.

Saturday bought bad weather. Not rainy but cloudy and not very warm. We had breakfast which consisted of toast, porridge and tea/coffee. Not exactly a five star meal but I ate because of course I had already paid for it. We spent the morning watching a rugby game England v…..I can’t remember. I was with a bunch of Brits so I just remember cheering for England. I think it was Scotland or maybe Ireland, one of the those countries. Anyways, we spent most of the day wondering around the different shops and stalls, looking for souvenirs. Oh and then there was the car situation. So as I stated earlier the car company messed up on their end by not getting me the right car. So the plan was to exchange the SUV for the car I had booked at 11 but the car company called me and said that because of the festival the car would be late. I spent most of the day trying to call them to figure out when the car got there with no luck. Turns out the car company closed at 1, something you think they would mention in the voicemail they left me. It was very annoying especially after I learned on Sunday about them closing at 1.

But no worries, we still had a great time. We walked back to the backpackers and chilled there for a while playing cards and pool, having a good time. Then Sunday we had to exchange the car which was a hassle of course so really we only ended up exchanging the car having lunch and then driving back since I had to return the car in Strand. It was fine though. It was a great weekend.

Friday 23 September-Sunday 25 September

This weekend Harriet, Rodrigo and I went to Hermanus for the annual whale festival. I actually went to the festival two years ago when I was here previously. The weather was pretty bad last time I went. I remember it was cold and rainy. But Friday when we went the weather was beautiful, sunny without a cloud in the sky. We rented a car and because of a mistake with the car company (their fault not mine) we got upgraded to a huge Toyota SUV. This thing was a monster and I was pretty nervous about driving it. That and the fact that they drive on the left hand side here made me a bit anxious. But it didn’t take long to get used to it and the fact that I was so nervous made me extra careful probably more so than I would have been usually.

We left Gordon’s Bay at about 4 after I went and picked up the car and since we were in no rush, we stopped at the dam in Gordon’s Bay. It’s located on the mountains that overlook our fair city and both Harriet and Rodrigo had never been. There is an absolute beautiful view from up there and I really just wanted to show them that and drive up the super windy road that takes you up there. We took a few pictures before heading back down and embarking on our journey to Hermanus. Hermanus is located about an hour and half away from Gordon’s Bay and we took the long way so we could get a chance to drive along the coast. The drive was beautiful, lots of curves which was kind of scary but overall it was very enjoyable. We even saw a whale on a way there so I had to pull over just so we could get a glimpse of this great giant of the sea. It was awesome.

Finding our way to the backpackers took some doing but we finally arrived at our destination: Hermanus Backpackers. It was a very nice backpackers and the price included breakfast which you know I loved. We relaxed for a bit before going to see where the action was and finding our way to the main part of Hermanus. We met up with some other volunteers who were just coming for the night and had dinner. I can’t remember the name of the place but I know the food was good.

After dinner, we went to a concert. Mel had highly recommended a band called Prime Circle so we went to check it out. The opening band was a group called D7 and they were so good. I loved them. They were this a capella group and they were fabulous. I took a video of them because I loved them so much. They beat boxed, sang and even busted a couple moves. Prime Circle however was not my cup of tea. They reminded me of Nickelback and those kinds of groups from the 90s. It was honestly torture and I felt really bad because we spent R130 to get into this concert and didn’t want to waste it by leaving. So we sat in the tables at the back, talking and mostly trying to drown out the music. Horrible, I know but they just weren’t my style. Eventually we did decide to call it quits and walked back in the dark to our nice comfy beds.

Saturday bought bad weather. Not rainy but cloudy and not very warm. We had breakfast which consisted of toast, porridge and tea/coffee. Not exactly a five star meal but I ate because of course I had already paid for it. We spent the morning watching a rugby game England v…..I can’t remember. I was with a bunch of Brits so I just remember cheering for England. I think it was Scotland or maybe Ireland, one of the those countries. Anyways, we spent most of the day wondering around the different shops and stalls, looking for souvenirs. Oh and then there was the car situation. So as I stated earlier the car company messed up on their end by not getting me the right car. So the plan was to exchange the SUV for the car I had booked at 11 but the car company called me and said that because of the festival the car would be late. I spent most of the day trying to call them to figure out when the car got there with no luck. Turns out the car company closed at 1, something you think they would mention in the voicemail they left me. It was very annoying especially after I learned on Sunday about them closing at 1.

But no worries, we still had a great time. We walked back to the backpackers and chilled there for a while playing cards and pool, having a good time. Then Sunday we had to exchange the car which was a hassle of course so really we only ended up exchanging the car having lunch and then driving back since I had to return the car in Strand. It was fine though. It was a great weekend.

Friday 23 September

Tomorrow is Heritage Day but since tomorrow is also a Saturday, the school celebrated Heritage Day today. The programme was supposed to start at 9 but it didn’t end up happening until 10:30 (typical). But it was worth the wait. The dancing and the singing was amazing. It was utter chaos though. They set up desks into a square and the stage kept on getting smaller and smaller because of the kids crowded into the square.

As soon as I got to school, I went and found my teachers. Normally we’re supposed to meet at noon but yesterday (Thursday) we found out about the presentation so I knew today was going to be chaotic and it was. But walking through the school was awesome because most of the learners were dressed up in traditional clothing. They even had paint on their faces. All of the volunteers got face painted as well. It was really cool and an amazing thing to see.

Anyways, next week is probably going to be more of the same chaos that I have been experiencing for the past couple of weeks. One teacher said she wasn’t sure what she was going to do next week. Another wasn’t even sure if she was going to be here. Luckily one actually knew what she was going to be doing: what she was supposed to be doing this week. And the other teacher was absent. I would say I was surprised by this but really I wasn’t. You certainly learn how to be flexible in an environment such as this.

Regardless, the programme truly was amazing and I can’t wait to look through all the different pictures people took. The coolest I think was when one of the teachers asked Matt and I to dance with the learners. It was so much fun. I absolutely love their dancing. They have this move which involves picking up one of your legs at a right angle and shaking it. It’s kinda hard to explain but I love it. I just think it’s so cool. We have been talking about starting a dance club at the school and Mel wants me to be in charge. I really just want to learn their dances to be perfectly honest. So I’m thinking that maybe we could start out by having them teach some of the volunteers some of their dances and then we can teach them some of ours. We’ll see how that goes.

Friday 23 September

Tomorrow is Heritage Day but since tomorrow is also a Saturday, the school celebrated Heritage Day today. The programme was supposed to start at 9 but it didn’t end up happening until 10:30 (typical). But it was worth the wait. The dancing and the singing was amazing. It was utter chaos though. They set up desks into a square and the stage kept on getting smaller and smaller because of the kids crowded into the square.

As soon as I got to school, I went and found my teachers. Normally we’re supposed to meet at noon but yesterday (Thursday) we found out about the presentation so I knew today was going to be chaotic and it was. But walking through the school was awesome because most of the learners were dressed up in traditional clothing. They even had paint on their faces. All of the volunteers got face painted as well. It was really cool and an amazing thing to see.

Anyways, next week is probably going to be more of the same chaos that I have been experiencing for the past couple of weeks. One teacher said she wasn’t sure what she was going to do next week. Another wasn’t even sure if she was going to be here. Luckily one actually knew what she was going to be doing: what she was supposed to be doing this week. And the other teacher was absent. I would say I was surprised by this but really I wasn’t. You certainly learn how to be flexible in an environment such as this.

Regardless, the programme truly was amazing and I can’t wait to look through all the different pictures people took. The coolest I think was when one of the teachers asked Matt and I to dance with the learners. It was so much fun. I absolutely love their dancing. They have this move which involves picking up one of your legs at a right angle and shaking it. It’s kinda hard to explain but I love it. I just think it’s so cool. We have been talking about starting a dance club at the school and Mel wants me to be in charge. I really just want to learn their dances to be perfectly honest. So I’m thinking that maybe we could start out by having them teach some of the volunteers some of their dances and then we can teach them some of ours. We’ll see how that goes.