Wow. I actually have to leave Cape Town tomorrow. I
was kind of hoping this day just wouldn’t actually come. But looking back at
everything we have done and learned over the past three and a half months makes
me happy and grateful that I had this opportunity. I have met some really
awesome people including all the people I came here with and all those I have
met since being here. I can’t even begin
to say how amazing everything has been. This program does an amazing job of
making you feel connected to the community here and it makes leaving that much
harder. The people here are also so friendly. Just today a group of us went to
Mzoli’s, which is a big restaurant in Guguletu where people go with friends and
all they serve is meat. It was so delicious and we went with a cab driver who
we have become friends with, some of the teachers from Christel House, and some
of our friends from the afterschool program in
Nyanga. It was so fun to hang
out and talk and dance and just have a really good time. And as if that weren’t
enough, Brandi, Nicole, Kimmi, and I went with Joseph (from the afterschool
program) and a few of his friends on a walk around New Crossroads, Old
Crossroads, and Nyanga. They let us visit each one of their houses and were so
welcoming. We got to really see a few townships and got to ask questions and
experience how friendly people truly are. We even acted like little kids and
played on a few playgrounds, kicked a soccer ball around with a group of local
kids, drank traditional African beer that is used to give thanks to the
ancestors, and even ate a smiley. If you are currently wondering what a smiley
is, it’s a sheep head. Yes a sheep head. It is a popular dish and you clean the
bones, eating everything, I tried the tongue, cheek and eye, none of it was as
bad as it sounds and actually was pretty good. We walked through an informal
settlement as well and the whole day was an absolutely perfect way to end this
trip. I know I have said this for multiple days here, but I think today may
have been the best day of my life. Saying goodbye to our friends there was
really hard but I know I will see them again one day. Whenever I come back
here, I am going there first. Everything in Cape Town is amazing and I know I
will back here as soon as I can to both visit my kids at
Christel House and all
the people I have become friends with. I’m excited to see my family and friends
and especially my dogs once I get home but I will definitely be missing life
here. I am grateful to have all the people I came here with as well so we can
all talk about how much we want to be back here once we are home.
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| Sam with learners in her class |
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