Bakkie i'll Be Back

In my previous blog I wrote of Biltong and Birds, Travel and Transport: All of which are general things that I'll surely miss when I'm home. Here I continue, with more things that I'll shortly be greetin' about. It's quite difficult to write about these places and people, knowing that I'll soon be without them. 

Cape Town: The Mother City. It's diverse and it's fascinating, it's beautiful and it's bursting with culture. From the colourful mosques of Bo Kaap to the shining shacks of Kayelitsha and Langa, Cape Town is like the whole world in one city. Not to mention it's backdrop, the Waterfront, the Gardens and the old dutch architecture of Long Street. And then there's the wine farms, the extreme sports and the stunning coastline that reaches out to meet not one but two oceans - The Atlantic and the Indian. This city is just incredible, I want to live here.

Cape Town looking as beautiful as ever. View from Blouberg Beach.

                                      

Table Mountain: Table Mountain is a Natural Wonder of the World. It's beautiful and bizarre. I can easily pin-point my favourite Table Mountain memory. It was after midnight and Nelson Mandela had just passed away. The sky was so clear that you could almost see the milky way, even though we were just above the city. We had written a message in the memorial book to Tata Madiba when we decided to make the trip. I lay in the middle of the road, about half way up the mountain. It was peaceful and it was silent, we watched the stars. I then decided to take a roll down the road. It was incredible. I have literally rolled down Table Mountain.

On top of Table Mountain, View over Camps Bay with the Atlantic Ocean.

                                       

The Beach: The beaches are picture-esque, like post cards. White-gold sand with cool, clear, shark infested waters. Whether we want to surf, swim or simply sun bathe, there's always a beach for us. I love being in water so going to the beach is always a treat for me. One time with Yvi and Rachael, we REALLY went for a swim. We couldn't stop laughing the whole time as the currents pulled us back and forth. At one point, Rachael got herself caught in a whirlpool. It was all in good fun.

Surfing at Blouberg Beach. Well, at least TRYING to surf.

                                

Bakkies - Bakkies are essentially pick-up trucks. They are everywhere here, every second vehicle is a white Bakkie. I'm being stereotypical here but three type of people drive Bakkies. First, you get the big Afrikaans guy. His Bakkie is always spotless. Then you get the soccer mum who doesn't actually need a car that size. Sometimes her kids are sitting in the back. Then, you get the guys on their way to work... Bakkie overload! It's almost like a game of how-many-upright-people-can-we-squeeze-into-the-trunk. I think it should be legal to ride in the back of a Bakkie EVERYWHERE. It's so much fun. Think of the saved petrol when you can shove you're entire collection of friends and family into the trunk of your Bakkie.

Riding in a bakkie on the way to the beach. Surfboards and all!

                                     

Signal Hill: My favourite place in the entire world. From Signal Hill, Cape Town is a silent city. It's a beautiful golden glow that dips into the horizon where the waves come in. Table Mountain becomes a dominating sillhouete. You can hear yourself breathe. I'll never forget the feeling of sitting here with my friends, there wasn't a word between us as we gazed over Cape Town. 

Sitting on Signal Hill with my friends. Table Mountain to the Right.

                                      

smiles all round

18/09/13
I have only been here for 3 weeks and 3 days. It feels like SO much longer. The amount of knowledge i've gained, friends i've made and sights I've seen in that time is incredible. It's so exciting knowing there's still 11 months of experiences to come by.

I'm  faced with new things everyday. Today I had to stop a fight! Two of the teenage girls I work with were screaming and slapping and even ripping at each others clothes. I was definitely shocked to find out it all started because one stole the other's socks. One of the girls was shaking on the verge of a panic attack!

Last night we visited Signal Hill again. It's definitely my favourite place on earth right now, it's beyond breathtaking. The sky was a warmer colour and clouds were rolling over Table Mountain like a blanket, It was sooo amazing.

I have extremely EXCITING news! I'm taking on South Africa ALONE! Okay, that's not the exciting part. I'm going to Plettenburg Bay on Friday. Plettenburg Bay is on the coast at the other end of the Western Cape. I'm taking a 6 hour bus from Cape Town. I'll be spending the weekend with two Project Trust boys, from the Outward Bound project in Sedgefield. We plan to stay in a backpackers on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Somewhere in there, we will be throwing ourself off of a bridge...THEE worlds highest bungee jump! I am so so so excited. That doesn't mean i'm not terrified though. As long as I'm not first and not last, I'll be fine.

Next week is going to be very busy at the Children's Home as it's the school holiday. Lucky for me, I'm only working Monday, Tuesday and Sunday! Even better, i'm working night shift! I'm yet to experience night shift so I'm not sure what to expect. Unfortunately the hours are longer during the holiday. I'll be working (sitting in a dark corridor) from 7pm-7am. Crazy ?!

Landing in Cape Town, facing my fate...

25.08.13

The journey between Johannesburg and Cape Town went swiftly. It was very sad saying bye bye to the Project Trust volunteers but hopefully i'll see them at Christmas. Some set off for a long bus journey, some only had a short drive. Me, Rachael, Niamh and Anna flew from Johannesburg. The moment we were left alone together, everything felt more real. There was no one else to distract us, just us, as it will be for the next year. 

The flight was very exciting, I absolutely love the view over Johannesburg. I was sleeping most of the time, so it was a shock when I looked out the window to see greenery and snow capped mountains. We were landing in Cape Town!

Leaving Jo'burg!

Niamh and Anna

Leaving beautiful Johannesburg

Cape Town!

After a very, very long and worrying wait for our cling-film-wrapped-cacoon-looking  luggage, we entered Cape Town with a statement, slo-mo running through the door with our bag trollys. We were met by Linda and Lisa, two of the German Volunteers from DCH. They drove us to the Childrens home in one of the mini-buses, the journey was about 20 minutes. I haven't seen the centre of Cape Town yet. I'm hoping to visit soon, I really want to see Table Mountain.

Driving to Durbanville

Arriving at the home was incredible...but also crazy. The place is huge! We were given a quick tour by Linda and Lisa and the whole time I was thinking "nope, won't remember that, I'll never find this place, what's it called? where are we?" But instead of asking, I smiled a big happy smile and continued walking. I can now find my way around the home, things are progressing!

The younger children would introduce themselves and want a hug. The much older ones would shout "Hello, Auntie" and wave. The teenage girls were a little more complicated, most would look away or just watch us. However, that is how teenage girls act all over the world, not just right here right now in South Africa. Some are very bubbly and want to talk but the majority seem a little wary of us. I don't blame them, we are all unfamiliar white faces from Britain.

The next stop was the best stop, our bedrooms! Anna lives in "House 9" where the youngest girls also stay, she has one roomate. Rachael lives in "Back Kitchen", she will have 3 roomates. I feel very lucky living in an area called "Flat 2". There are two bedrooms, a bathroom, a small kitchen and a living area. I have one roomate but unfortunately she will be leaving soon. In the other room, Niamh shares with Lisa and Katharina. I feel very comfortable in my room now, I tried to make it feel like home. 

My handwashing! I tried to make the UK with my photos

We decided to go out for dinner to celebrate our arrival. It was nice to see Durbanville's town for the first time. Me, Rachael, Niamh, Anna, Katharina, Linda and Lisa went to the Beer Garden for Pizza. It was very good. 

That night we met the other volunteers. Altogether there are about 20 German volunteers, one French, one Swiss, two Scottish and four English. Everyone is great and new(ish) to the home, so I will be spending my whole year with them.

SOUTH AFRICA HERE I COME!

16/05/2013

THIS DATE WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY.

Well it's been a long time coming but my placement details arrived today! Finally! And I really couldn't be happier. I have been bouncing of the walls and squealing like an idiot all day.

I have been placed in Durbanville Children's Home, CAPE TOWN! Incredible. I know I originally asked for the whole rural, living in a mud hut, feeding on crops kind of thing but I am over the moon. Durbanville is still classed as rural, but it's beyond me how you can say that when Cape Town is a 25 minute drive away. At least I know I could never be bored, eh?! I'm pretty sure I could get used to rolling hills and a view of the stunning table mountain every day. 

To get you educated on the children's home, here is what they say: 

"We can make all make a difference in the lives of traumatized children. Many children are neglected and in great danger due to poverty, crime, violence, drug abuse and the general disintegration of moral values and family life in many South Africa communities. Durbanville Children's Home provides a safe haven for these children in order to protect them from physical and emotional abuse." 

My main duties will include working with children that have behavioral difficulties and helping out with homework clubs. Hopefully I will be able to start some art/drama clubs for fun! I should also be able to set up a secondary project in a poorer area. I will occasionally work night shifts too, that sounds quite tough but I'm sure I will get used to it! I will be living in a flat within the compound with about 3 other Project Trust girls....my partners that I can't wait to meet on training! We will have to cook and clean for ourselfs: sounds great fun! Oh, and a bonus, we have a pool.

Stunning Cape Town

How close we are!

One of the most exciting things was to find out my flight date...22nd August! It hasn't been confirmed yet but it's very likely. I will be returning to sunny Scotland on 15th August 2014, woow. 99 days to go.

It's not all sparkles and sunshine however, there is a lot of paper work! Before the 15th June I must have had a TB injection, Yellow Fever and a Chest X-ray. These are all part of the very rigorous visa application. I also need to have my doctor tick some boxes to say I'm all good to go.

Included in the email was fifteen attachments of information. Yes, 15! I must say, one I was most excited about was the "Clothing and Equipment List" but come on...two pairs of pajamas for a full year?! I'm sure I will manage ;).

Unfortunately I can't really find any pictures of the children's home itself. You will just need to wait a couple of months! I really am so happy and can't wait to spend my year in Durbanville.