The Little Things...

Stroller?? What’s that?! I have been here for nearly a month and have not seen ONE! I tell you no lie.  I have now been converted to love the swaddle …

I keep saying before I leave here someone will have to teach me how to do it.  I asked the silly question of whether anyone buys strollers? “Ahhh silly girl… Why would you buy something that you can do yourself” …(yep, embarrassed to be North American} But still I ask “what about those women who have back problems?... She looks at me as though I’m foreign and says…  “Your point is …. ? 

LOL… the power of strong African women!

                                                                    Bye munchkin :)



Very common to see both inside and outside the City

                                                      You have a head.... Use it... !!

                                                                    Lady in City

                                                               Lady in the townships

Maytag? Whirlpool?! Not around these parts! This is how it’s done over here! These pics I took on the streets of Guguletu (a township). One of the many I work in outside the city. 

Ladies gossiping and doing hair... the little things :)

Venturing Into The Unknown…

People have been asking if I’ve been trying new dishes.  So, here’s the 411 on me trying new things.   I have been to a lot of good restaurants in Cape Town.  The food here is amazing.  8/10 you will love the food, décor and the service.  I figured a little while back that I should try something new. South Africa has a lot of delicacies care of gaming (hunting).  Very often you will see a general selection of:

Grilled warthog ribs, Crocodile ribs, Ostrich fillet or burger, Pork neck/Pork feet/chicken feet, Cow intestines…

Although I know some of my West Indian relatives are checking off some of the above mentioned (chicken feet...lol) I still did not feel any comfort in my options. I decided to take my chances with (Pumba) Warthog ribs

….  Let’s just say … Been there done that and WILL definitely NOT be trying that again

The unknown is highly overrated …but I’m still glad that I went outside of my comfort zone and tried something new…

I finished the fries though :)

OKAY so here is my pet peeve about South Africa ...

Everywhere we go there is a window right above the toilet. Now ladies for those of us who regularly squat, I’m sure you can see the problem with this!  What makes this situation even more frustrating is that the bathroom is usually situated off of a patio or someone else’s backyard or is nearby a street alley.  Sometimes you think you get lucky because the window is fogged … but then it doesn’t close… ahhhhhh so frustrating!!!  Do you see this pic.. there are people outside just to the left drinking coffee! 

It’s getting so ridiculous I had to take a pic! …tried my best to back up far enough to show you the toilet below…

Ladies, are there any suggestions?! At this point I either continue my awkward squat while peering furiously over my neck dance, or just become comfortable in my skin and bare all!
MADNESS!!!

Slave Lodge Museum

We visited the Slave Lodge Museum, which was quite an experience. This building has been standing for decades and has seen the changes of time.  This building originally housed the slaves that were brought to South Africa from the VOC (East Indian Dutch Company). At one point in history the VOC were the leaders in slave trade.  When slavery was abolished this building became a court house and later a parliament building.  SA has turned the building into a museum to mark the history of this building, which is near the heart of Cape Town.  A blatant memory that at the heart of the city at one point in time slavery ruled the people of this land.

Going through this building we were told how slaves would be brought into the gates stripped of whatever straps of cloth they had on and were left naked in the inter court yard. Here they would be given food to eat out of a trough and allowed to wash for the first time in months. Many of the men and women who survived this far, were sick or lost their minds from seeing loved ones die or sold away.    Here they were left in chains and soon sold. 

Going through this museum was a very emotional and grounding experience. What was very humbling for me was the response from some of my coworkers who said they have not gone and probably would never go. When I asked why, they only briefly stated that it is too much. The emotions and experience for them still too raw. Again, I was brought back to the reality that something that is a part of history for me, is something much more tangible for them.  Coworkers a little over my age can talk to me about not being allowed to go on specific buses, not being allowed to go to certain beaches or enter white only restaurants.  They have their own personal memories of slavery.  It’s in moments like this that I recognize the privilege that I have been born into.

We were told not to take pictures… so I took as many as I could smuggle 

 Pic of front of building door

The slave lodge is the second oldest building in Cape Town! It was built in 1679. This building was formerly known as the “Fortress of Human Misery”  … instead of the pretty shutters picture the metal bars and a metal clamp door

Hand shackles and leg shackles which were often linked with another prisoner on the voyage over and in the slave lodge.  Often a prisoner died and you were left tied to him/her until someone came to retrieve the body, which sometimes would be days later... 

Replica of lower dorm on ship. You have no idea how small this space is… In this space almost ten people would be forced to sleep and go to the bathroom... 

 The names of slaves are written down as inventory often beside sheep and cattle; their last names and first names were changed.  Slaves were given Dutch names, named by regions like Madagascar. Often, slaves were named things like fortune or bless which mocked their circumstances.

Here is The Book of Names, which is in a separate room lighted up.  These pages are called the tree of life and contain some of the 6 thousand slaves that lived or died at the slave lodge.  This was really heart felt for me to know that life was behind those words. For anybody who has read the Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill you know what I’m saying..


We must all remember the past in order to not repeat the same hate, racism and lies in the future.  We are all one human race with the same red blood running through us.

We must remember to Love everybody as We ourselves want to be loved. The bible says we should love our neighbours as we do ourselves.  Are we doing this in our day to day lives.  Do we show the love and respect to our loved ones, not taking their love and affection for granted.  When that stranger on the road bumped you on your way into work this morning and apologized, did you tell him no problem? We must  learn to live and let go ...

Have you told someone that you love them today?
If you have, but haven't heard it back... I love You but bigger than me God loves you :)

Keep well and Be Blessed Everyone

Gender Equality..Yes.. Most of the time anyway

I am all for gender equality… *My disclaimer * unless it comes to changing a tire

It’s not that I can’t… I just don’t want to :)

Well, whoever said that chivalry is dead hasn’t meant some of the men in South Africa! While driving through one of the ghettos our tire was punctured and we had an immediate flat! Within seconds of getting out of the car men came out of the woodwork to help. 

These two gentlemen who came from different homes were the first on the scene (others had come out to help as well). Bamb! Before we could even take the tire out the trunk they had pushed us ladies out of the way and got down to business.  They were so quick that literally in the blink of an eye it was done and they were off!

I give thanks and a deep curtsey to all of the gentlemen out there ;)

Climbing a Wonder of Nature...Table Mountain

The view was crazy … the wind was crazy… It was crazy beautiful.  If anyone has been to the Grand Canyon you’ll understand that pictures really can’t do it justice.  Table Mountain is now campaigning in the Global election to be nominated as one of the new Seven Wonders of the Natural World. Everyday  South Africans are urged to go online and vote.  I must say that the view was amazing. You feel like your sitting on top of God’s footstool looking over South Africa.  As the breeze blows and the air is clear and clean you feel like your in a whole other world. My mind was so clear to think and reflect. I enjoyed every minute of this journey. I have hundreds of pics but to not bombard you I grudgingly choose a few :)

 Take note that this is just the bottom cliff that you must climb to get to the Base of table Mountain! Nowhere near the top...

Crazy people! They're everywhere you go,... what can I say.  These people were rock climbing down the mountain,.. the drop is so steep I could never imagine doing this!

I felt like the Lion King on Pride Rock!! Here I am overlooking AFrica...
Feet up, lying on my stomach just chatting with God..
Can you see the different colours in the sky, overlooking the mountains, which overlooks the land... Beautiful... Wish you guys were here to see it AND feel it

This Pic shows off all of downtown Cape Town. The centre bowl to the left is the major stadium where FIFA was held! The front and centre dock area is their famous V& A Waterfront and all in the middle is Cape Town central bowl. This is where most people work and some people live.  This is where all the Actions at!

Is South Africa on your to visit list? If not it should be  :)

Camps Bay

Camps Bay

After a long day at Table Mountain we went to Camps Bay. This is a popular beach area in South Africa. It is very beautiful with it’s blue water white sand and wonderful shops. We spent the evening just relaxing on the patio taking in the sights.   Unfortunately is was too cold for a swim, although we did walk along the beach.  Have I mentioned that I love South Africa?  Just walking down the streets is like a breath of fresh air on day’s like today.  Home Sick?... not yet! 

Lift Every Voice!

 I was out to dinner a couple weeks past, when I heard voices raised like a choir coming down Long Street. The intensity of their voices could not even be captured by video. I tried to upload from my camera but it's not working :( so hopefully you will catch the gist. Their voices were so strong and in Harmony it was bone chillingly beautiful. Picture it, no instruments just hundreds of students singing in PERFECT A Capella in.. I'm telling you they could have put plenty choirs to shame!  These were students out the night before elections in South Africa. Voting is very important here! It is a must.. All who can vote, do! The younger generation of South Africans heavily promote the importance of voting. They believe we are the generation of change and must join together in solidarity to have our voices heard. The younger generation here are so influential that Parliament dare not exclude their concerns!

I was excited to witness the march and to feel the I.N.T.E.N.S.I.T.Y

It is important to remember that Apartheid was barely abolished more than a decade ago. Blacks and coloreds were unable to vote and had no rights up until 1994!! Madness!  Nelson Mandela's reign as the first black president in South Africa was a major victory, only a few short years ago. However with any change there is always resistance. There is still so much racism and poverty that divides the country, that as a people we must work hard to overcome.  We must all remember that forward movement is a must in order to avoid the bondage of the past.

When I see hundred's of youth marching for their belief in change, a passion stirs within me. It's the same unbelievable excitement I felt at hearing Egypt's President Mubarak step down. Wasn't that amazing! The people brought about that change. Many people thought that nothing would happen but with resilience, passion and knowledge the people were heard. As with Nelson Mandela there was passion and a commitment to change and the government heard. I must remember this in my own political life when I feel that the policies, bureaucracies and politics of the government will never change. It's like a challenge now to be motivated to be a part of the people who change things.  How Do you guys feel about Politics? Do you think that the people can bring change? Do you think this is possible? 

I saw a quote in the slavery museum (that post to come shortly)...

Never doubt what a few committed human beings can do to change the world (ukn author)

                                         

I Believe it. 

Be Blessed 

Everyone

The other side of Cape Town

I know a lot of people have been asking how work has been going. It's not that I don't want to talk about it, it's just that once I start talking I just start gushing. Work is hard and emotionally draining. I will use this post just to let it all out today.  There are two parts of South Africa I have come to know.  There is Cape Town where people drive Audi's and BMW's. The morning bustles with commuters coming into the city as most people don't actually live in Cape Town, but in the surrounding suburbs.  Cape Town is expensive and to actually live here would mean you work to pay your rent' that's it.  Monday to Friday I head out to the surrounding towns. I work in the areas of serious poverty. Shanty towns. One room shacks with no running water. Two beds but ten people living in a room not big enough for five grown adults to stand in comfortably. One of the offices I work out of has one of the highest cases for child abandonment. We are called out to investigate children left in drains, left at hospitals or left in fields.  Mothers attend the office in droves to drop off their children. This week I've been dealing with a woman who is 27 with five children. She doesn't want this life and doesn't want her kids. This is very common. Teenage pregnancy is on the rise along with HIV/AIDS as condoms are still taboo. I'm told that Sex is not something discussed at home. Children are sent to the clinic. At the clinic they learn more about sex. Birth control is free but people still prefer skin to skin. I ask' but what about HIV? .. the young girls say they want to keep their men...

I walk down streets on cold mornings to see children playing in drains with no shoes no pants no parents. Some days I feel like my heart is just going to tear apart. I'm just going to start crying and not be able to stop. Today we came upon a child with down syndrome no older than 2 left on his own, just crying. On day's like today I feel so small so inadequate... I just want to take him home.  We discovered a case today of a small child that was being molested. The mother is distraught and has no idea who's been doing it or when it might have happened. With so many people coming in and out the possibilities are endless. The system here is backlogged I'm told...she has been waiting for help for almost five months. I go to the bathroom to release my breakfast. I'm angry, I'm disgusted, I'm frustrated! I cry for a good 10 seconds... then return to work.  I feel the world has gone mad. I know there is purpose but when there are so many days like today I really have to search deep to stay positive. Cat say's I'm optimistic beyond rationale at this point. She says that after everything we've seen this far my outlook is distorted. However, I must hold onto hope that there are still men and women striving to change their life and the lives of their children. They are the reason why I do what I do.

A large number of school aged children don't attend primary school... instead they roam 

In the Shanty Village there is no running water inside the shacks. You have to walk to the communal areas to use the bathrooms. This is where many of the young girls are raped/attacked

 Children play in these open areas and in the drains ... the child below was just off to the side with no parent around playing in the sewer  

Walking around my Cape Town neighbourhood...

Here's what I love about Cape Town South Africa. I love seeing Table Mountain almost everywhere we go.  I love the food! Did I mention I love the food...
Cat and I have gained a good 15 pds combined..note: we are probably under estimating since we both refuse to step on a scale! Off of the famous Long street there are renowned chef's and sidewalk bistros.  I must admit that sitting out on the patio and enjoying a good cup of hot chocolate is becoming addictive. Life is slow, which forces me to just relax and take everything in.

Cape Town is famous for it's V& A Waterfront which is also walking distance from where we live.  Just seeing this city makes me love nature and crave peace.  Just look at the views...wouldn't you?

Also nearby is the Cape Town Garden area. Here people ride their bikes have picnics and just relax reading a book.  It's so quiet and tranquil I really wish we came during the summertime so I could be there more often... Everyone would know where to find me... Nicole .. ohh' you'll find her in the gardens towards the middle by the benches with a good book :)