Settling into Cape Town

Jan 27- Langa Quarter Township Tour

Project Playground in Langa - a center for kids to play and be creative

We visited Langa today and learned about this blossoming center. Mike Zuma is heading a project to revitalize this township and make Langa a cultural hub in Cape Town. He gave us a little bit of history about the area and showed us some of the key places that show community development. After the tour, Mike took us to MZOLI'S. It is this restaurant/dance club that opens up only on Sunday afternoons. They serve brai food and play loud music. Everyone dances with a hunk of barbequed lamb in their hand. I really enjoyed my time in Langa, I am looking forward to coming back. 

Mike Zuma's Project in Langa Quarter

Fat cakes! They taste like funnel cake from the state fair. "Eat too many of these and you'll get an ATM (African Trade Mark)," says Mike as he gestures to his behind. 

A Non-profit Art Center we also visited, I loved the building's artwork.

More artwork on the entrance to the Art Center

Mike talking to us in the center's theater area. Awesome exterior architecture!

Inside the art center, we got an African drumming lesson! Such a good time.

Jan 28 – University of Cape Town Orientation

Upper Campus at UCT

Today we visited Upper Campus for the first time. Upper Campus is the point of the University that is most commonly viewed in photographs – it is built into the mountain. It is an absolutely gorgeous campus, but I have so say, walking up to campus completely kicked my butt. I’m going to be so fit by the end of the semester. We got our UCT Picture ID’s, toured some of the buildings, and visited the library. 

Jan 29 – Parliament and Service Site Visits

Beautiful.

We had the opportunity to tour the Parliament today. The building was gorgeous and full of history. I think my favorite part was visiting the apartheid room, where all of the laws and arguments surrounding the apartheid took place. Afterwards we visited three more service sites. We were pretty exhausted by the end of the day.

The Aparthied Room

The view outside of the Parliament Building

Jan 30 – Robbeneiland, Land Ho!

Today we got a tour of Robben Island. We took a quick boat ride from the Waterfront to get there. Robben Island is infamous for imprisoning political figures during the apartheid. It is similar to Alcatraz in the United States. The Island now is a key tourist destination for those who want to visit the island, see the wildlife, explore the prison camps, and to usually visit Nelson Mandela’s prison cell. Nelson Mandela was the first black President of South Africa and African National Congress leader. He’s kind of a big deal. Many former prisoners of Robben Island are now employed on the island to give tours.  

Arriving to Robben Island. I was really bummed that I didn't get to do the Penguin Walk.

One of the Prison Encampments

Inside one of the holding cells, only four beds in the large room.

Nelson Mandela's Cell

Springbok! South Africa's National Animal

Lighthouse on Robben Island

On the Waterfront after our return from the tour

Jan 31 – Site revisits and being super indecisive 

We went to revisit the service sites today that we are most interested in. I chose to revisit Baphumelele – an orphanage in Khayelitsha. It was started by a woman named Rosie to create a center for children in that community to grow and develop. I fell in love with all of the kids there.

http://www.baphumelele.org.za/

I also went to Young In Prison. It’s a NGO that reaches out to youth in prison to help give them a voice and to provide them with life skills and development. I’m also very interested in working with them.

http://www.younginprison.org.za/

Then I revisited the Manenburg Primary School. I came here almost by mistake, thinking it was another site, but then fell in love with the kids. This site tugs on my heart strings, but I am unsure if it would work best for my research. Most of the work at the school has to do with instructing basic math and is tuned more for a psychology student. It would still be an amazing experience nevertheless.

Feb 1 – Free Day, Back to the Waterfront

We got a free day today. I went out for breakfast with my house mates. We went to a place called Social Bean. They had killer coffee and food. Definitely going back there. Later I took a cab to the Waterfront with some friends. We walked around, enjoying live entertainment and music, and then had lunch at the Hildebrand Restaurant. Their house wine was very good and the service was amazing for the price. I can't remember the last time a waiter put my dinner napkin on my lap for me. Later that night, almost all of the service learning girls went out to Long Street to enjoy the nightlife. 

At the Waterfront

Vegitarian Lasagna at Hildebrand

Live performers, these two were crazy.

I can't believe it's this beautiful every day.

Feb 2 – BONUS, Free Day #2

Another free day today. I slept in, some of the girls went out to shop. I did absolutely nothing and thoroughly enjoyed it. I got to Skype with my brother, my sister-in-law, and their dog today. I enjoyed that also. I enjoy free days. Everyday has felt like vacation. I am definitely not taking anything for granted. My friends and family are back home freezing, working, and going to class. I remember those days, but I live in Cape Town now.

End of the second week, more updates to come. Thanks for reading, sorry about the delay!

-Lisa