Worms - So I'll start with bad news. The other night I was ready to go to bed, so I was going to move all my clothes that I had not put away off my bed onto the hardwood floor in my room. As I'm moving the clothes I see this sort of black ring - it could have been a worm or a metal ring. I run into Malin's room and ask for a second opinion. She confirms. It's a dried up worm. UGH! she moves the curtain in my room and guess what? Another dried up worm. Sick. Another move of the curtain and then a bug the size of my pinky scurries out!!! I immediately scream and jump onto my bed. The bug was never captured. It's loose in my room. I love nature.
Whales - I also had a very positive encounter with nature. After my last posting, 4 of us headed back to Camps Bay for sundowners (happy hour). When we got out of the cab (Berta and I have not rented a car because apparantly not being able to drive a manual car is a crime punished by rental prices that are 3 times the price. Although I've been offered lessons, I'm not sure that driving on the left side of the rode with no skills is a good idea...back to story) When we got out of the cab we see an amazing sunset so head to the beach instead of the bar. The sunset was literally breathtaking. The ocean was silver and calm. The sun turn from orange to pink. And to top it all off there were 2 whales that were splashing around in the ocean. Everyone on the beach was just in awe and the whales loved the attention. amazing.
Wine - Malin and Asboejrn (i have no idea if im spelling his name right), have a great S. African friend named Peter who graciously took us out to the Wine region yesterday! So 3 cars caravaned out to Franshoek and Paarl at 8:15 in the morning for a day at the wine farms. Deliciousness and debauchery ensues. For lunch I have a Malay inspired s. african dish pronounced Ba-Booty. After wine tasting all morning, the dish's name keeps us entertained for a good 15 minutes. The food itself was minced meat with curry topped by this fluffy egg thing served with rice. just my style. So gooood!
On the way out to the wine farms I rode with Malin and Asbeorjn in Peter's car. As we drove north we left the English side of the region and moved into the Afrikaaner's side. Peter explained the history and the war between the British (English Speaking) and the Dutch (Afrikaans speaking) and the cultural and economic differences between Afrikaaners and English. South Africa has such a rich history and depending on who you talk to, there are very different perspectives. When we drive past a Township filled with tiny homes crammed together covered with tin roofs, I realize that I have not even scratched the surface. I'm looking forward to hearing even more perspectives in the classroom next week.
Arnold - I end with Arnold. Again, talking with people from other countries, we start discussing politics. This time, I am quizzed on my knowledge of the Governator. Admittedly my knowledge of California politics is limited and my view of Arnold is very influenced by Kindergarden Cop and Terminator. Apparantly I had a lot to learn. Peter launched into a passionate tirade about how Arnold is the ultimate example of setting goals and acheiving them. Did you know that Arnold came to the U.S. and saw a body building magazine? And in that body building magazine he saw a man that had won the Mr. Universe competition and then parlayed that into a successful acting career. This man became Arnold's hero, and Arnold vowed to become Mr. Universe and a successful actor (skills or no skills). Now look at him now! Governor of California, married to American royalty. After the wine tour, the party moved to Peter's house where he brought out Arnold's Autobiography (nearly as thick as Nelson Mandela's) and read us a passage. Classic. Learning something new everyday in Cape Town.
Until next time...
Whales - I also had a very positive encounter with nature. After my last posting, 4 of us headed back to Camps Bay for sundowners (happy hour). When we got out of the cab (Berta and I have not rented a car because apparantly not being able to drive a manual car is a crime punished by rental prices that are 3 times the price. Although I've been offered lessons, I'm not sure that driving on the left side of the rode with no skills is a good idea...back to story) When we got out of the cab we see an amazing sunset so head to the beach instead of the bar. The sunset was literally breathtaking. The ocean was silver and calm. The sun turn from orange to pink. And to top it all off there were 2 whales that were splashing around in the ocean. Everyone on the beach was just in awe and the whales loved the attention. amazing.
Wine - Malin and Asboejrn (i have no idea if im spelling his name right), have a great S. African friend named Peter who graciously took us out to the Wine region yesterday! So 3 cars caravaned out to Franshoek and Paarl at 8:15 in the morning for a day at the wine farms. Deliciousness and debauchery ensues. For lunch I have a Malay inspired s. african dish pronounced Ba-Booty. After wine tasting all morning, the dish's name keeps us entertained for a good 15 minutes. The food itself was minced meat with curry topped by this fluffy egg thing served with rice. just my style. So gooood!
On the way out to the wine farms I rode with Malin and Asbeorjn in Peter's car. As we drove north we left the English side of the region and moved into the Afrikaaner's side. Peter explained the history and the war between the British (English Speaking) and the Dutch (Afrikaans speaking) and the cultural and economic differences between Afrikaaners and English. South Africa has such a rich history and depending on who you talk to, there are very different perspectives. When we drive past a Township filled with tiny homes crammed together covered with tin roofs, I realize that I have not even scratched the surface. I'm looking forward to hearing even more perspectives in the classroom next week.
Arnold - I end with Arnold. Again, talking with people from other countries, we start discussing politics. This time, I am quizzed on my knowledge of the Governator. Admittedly my knowledge of California politics is limited and my view of Arnold is very influenced by Kindergarden Cop and Terminator. Apparantly I had a lot to learn. Peter launched into a passionate tirade about how Arnold is the ultimate example of setting goals and acheiving them. Did you know that Arnold came to the U.S. and saw a body building magazine? And in that body building magazine he saw a man that had won the Mr. Universe competition and then parlayed that into a successful acting career. This man became Arnold's hero, and Arnold vowed to become Mr. Universe and a successful actor (skills or no skills). Now look at him now! Governor of California, married to American royalty. After the wine tour, the party moved to Peter's house where he brought out Arnold's Autobiography (nearly as thick as Nelson Mandela's) and read us a passage. Classic. Learning something new everyday in Cape Town.
Until next time...
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