Redefining Halloween

I have never experienced such a warm Halloween, but yesterday was a perfect spring day here in Cape Town. About 22 degrees Celcius, not a cloud in the crystal blue sky and a gentle breeze...we took full advantage!

Instead of trick-or-treating, we decided to go pick-and-eating. Just 45 minutes outside of Cape Town, sits Mooiberge. This colorful strawberry farm lies on the outskirts of Stellenbosch, in between mountains and farm fields. Not knowing quite what to expect, we listed to Garmin and pulled into the parking lot. The road was lined with colorful, metal statues of creatures like warthogs, giraffes, sharks, bulls and ostrich. These very playful statues were a warm welcome, as were the soccer player scarecrows that stood in the field and represented all the competing nations.

This farm was very family friendly and there were ample kids with milkshakes roaming the property. When I say kids, I mean of all ages! It was hard not to skip and act a little silly.

We bought some Biltong from the country market before proceeding to the strawberry field. We got our boxes and one to an isle of berries, walked from one end of the field to the other collecting berries. We started off very excited picking lots of berries, but by the end were very careful to pick only the best. Long stem, no stem-big and small. It was quite fun...and delicious as we ate a few along the way!

Then we went to visit Spier, a wine estate that has many other attractions including a Cheetah Restoration Project. So we took a tour of the Cheetahs...and other cats. The meerkats were my favorite. Fun fact of the day, meerkats live in mobs.

Afterward we had a little picnic where I learned the importance of reading labels. Sparkling water is popular here and I opened my water with quite the explosion. Apparently it is good for thirst as well as cooling down!

Afterward, we enjoyed a five-round wine tasting. The private collection Pinotage was delightful and we toasted to this adult Halloween version of trick-or-treating.

Overall it was great to enjoy the weather and good company. Only one weekend left. Kloofing and Climbing are on the agends...oh and packing!

Relaxing but Fun Weekend

There is not much to say about the weekend. It was a pretty typical late semester weekend with Saturday activities and Sunday productivity.

Saturday morning we had kids from the Christine Revell Home over for a Halloween Party that included a Mac'n'cheese lunch, mask making, pin the tail on the black cat playing, as well as a candy hunt. Oh, lets not forget the witch, witch, monster duck duck goose game that we played. The kids were absolutely adorable and so nice to have over!

Saturday night, my advisor here took me out for an amazing 6-course dinner that expanded the palate a bit. My first and most likely last experience with beef tartar. I also had some delicious spicy apple with salmon soup. And some warmed roasted cheese with fig and caramelized walnuts for dessert. OF course there was much more in between, but with good food and great company--7 SIFE students joined us--it was a nice night out!

Sunday was a project day for which I accomplished two and started a third. Not to mention baked peanut butter cookies as a thank you to all those I have worked with this semester. The day ended with a variation on family dinner and the concoction of a new lentil salad recipe! All in all a great weekend!

End of Semester

Well today is the final day of classes at UWC and this means for me too. Today is my last official day at UWC, although I will still be on campus sporadically over the next couple of weeks wrapping up projects that I have started. As I took down photos in my office this morning, I thought this occasion warranted a little reflection.

I have several large remaining projects including final reports for the International Relations Office on International Students' Expectations and Satisfaction and for the Center for Student Support Services on my overall internship experience. I also have to complete diary (student calendar) edits and photos for the upcoming publication.

The other two remaining projects include data analysis. I will be helping to code data to help analyze the latest SRC election as well as doing a micro-literature review on voting trends for SRC elections in South Africa. Finally, I am assisting the Office of Student Development (similar to Career Services) with their planning for next year which includes looking at survey data to assess strengths and areas for growth.

That sounds like a lot hey?

Eh, it is not too bad and I am looking forward to hibernating over the next couple of weeks at my favorite cafe in my neighborhood, Observatory, Obs. for short. For as much as I like the beginning of a new school year and the buying of school supplies, I equally like the end of the semester...especially the fall semester.

Both have different energies, but the end of the fall semester is always full of such excitement for the holidays. I love sipping warm tea, listening to Christmas music and typing away, digging into material and knocking out projects. Admittedly, it is a bit off this year without the chill in the air and frost on the ground, but I am confident that the next two weeks will be filled with anticipatory energy and the thrill of finishing major projects. There is the additional bonus of flying home which I am also looking forward to.

I do not think that I will ever cease to enjoy the college environment. I have discovered, and readily admit to being a bit of an adrenaline junky. I love the waves of stress that challenge one and push them to new heights. I love the lack of routine that allows one to most effectively utilize one's own natural rhythms of energy and to take advantage of a variety of opportunities. And most of all, I love learning.

I will try anything once and that includes learning about a topic that I never had interest in before one conversation or another and riding that wave until it reaches shore...only to swim back out to find the next big wave.

This semester has been most rewarding and full of projects and endeavors that I could have only imagined 4 short months ago. I look forward to working hard over the next couple of weeks and packing in between breaks! Not to mention still sneaking in one or two Cape Town adventures--including surfing, strawberry picking, and abseiling!

The Best is Yet to Come

Well, I am sitting here tapping my toes to Mr. Sinatra as I write today. I am happy to report some good news. I will be home in 3 short weeks! That is right, 22 days and I will depart for the good ole US of A.

Yes, I know this is unexpected. I was supposed to come home in December after a visit from Chris. But please do not worry, he will be visiting me next semester...sometime around March I suspect.

As you have probably deduced, I will be coming back to South Africa for another 6 months starting in early January. And now you are probably asking why...

Well, I have been offered and accepted a position as Student Advisor for Stanford University. Like Marquette, they run a Service Learning Program in Cape Town for undergraduate students. I will oversee the residence as well as coordinate cultural trips and outings. I look forward to this opportunity to put my M.Ed. to work---yes it is a paid position! I am also looking forward to returning for the South African summer and missing the snowy, cold days of a Wisconsin winter; but that is just a bonus.

While this is a win-win situation, it is not a win-win-win situation as Michael Gary Scott would like for it to be. (It is an Office reference for those of you not obsessed...) The third win is missing, because while this will be a fun and worthwhile opportunity, it is lacking the friends and family that I miss while I am away. I will take this opportunity thank everyone for staying in touch and tuning into this blog to know what I have been up to. I will also promise to stay in touch as much as possible while I am away next year.

For those of you wondering and asking, "What about the wedding?", rest assured that it is not too far off into the future, although we are refraining from setting a solid date for the time being. Chris and I continue to support each other from afar--thank you SKYPE--and are dreaming up great ideas for the big day in the meantime.

Normally, I would not be so excited to return from a trip abroad earlier than expected, but this time it is balanced by getting to come back and I cannot wait to celebrate all the holiday traditions between Thansgiving and Christmas. Not to mention meeting my new niece, Simone, and celebrating Tye's birthday. I am especially looking forward to cooking and baking with family and friends...I am craving some pumpkin delicacies that is for sure. Here in South Africa it is primarily served as a vegetable and that is simply not as fun, although still good.

In any case, I will be home soon and cannot wait to see everyone!!!

A Whale of a Weekend

Hermanus, located on the southern coast of South Africa, is known for the many whales that inhabit their bay during this time of year. The town lived up to its reputation this weekend! The sparkling blue water was disturbed only by the spouts and jumps of whales as well as swimming dolphins.

While this was not the primary reason for our trip south, it certainly was a nice bonus to an already full weekend. Near Hermanus sits Volmoed. A retreat center whose history paralleled the theme of this get-away--RECONCILIATION.

We were there to engage with author and well-known theologian, John De Gruchy, about reconciliation in the context of South Africa during the country's transition, the TRC and now. There was ample time for speaking with him and asking questions that shed light on humanism and life's journey.

Additionally, we had time to explore the property which was absolutely beautiful and full of diverse plants, birds and bugs. I especially liked the gi-normous red and black grasshopper that looked more like a Power Ranger than an insect. And by liked, I mean was equally fascinated and disgusted at the same time.

The trail to the waterfall was probably my favorite mini-adventure. Once we found the hidden treasure, we were sure to jump into the freezing water from the muddy and untamed banks. Once in, and having touched the waterfall, we quickly swam back to shore to realize that there was not an easy way out of the water. Genius, I know. So we struggled to get footing to hoist ourselves out. We managed, but not without a skinned knee. Which seemed to fit the occassion.

I felt like I had traveled back about 15 years to our cabin in Sugartree. We were running around the property like children without much concern for anything other than having fun, hiking and swimming. At night we utilized our wood-burning fire place that filled the room with a familiar scent and we spent time just talking and laughing over casual dinners. The bruised knee, just seemed to fit with vacations from my youth and it added an extra special touch to the weekend.

Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed my time away and now feel recharged for the week that will be spent finishing all the projects I have started at UWC.

Rainbow Reflection

As I mentioned earlier, last night we attended the public debate on "Rainbow Nation: Myth or Reality?" sponsored by the Desmond Tutu Peace Center downtown at the Slave Lodge. It was a great discussion, but I will not bore you with details. I do want to highlight one of the speaker's remarks. Antjie Krog is an Afrikaans-speaking author, poet and professor. And she is absolutely brilliant.

Her 10 minutes of remarks challenged those in the audience to really consider the messages hidden within the Rainbow Nation metaphor. She masterfully and eloquently explained how the scientific principles that make a rainbow possible apply to South Africa. It was absolutely engaging and relevant.

I highly recommend perusing her books; namely, Country of My Skull and Begging to Be Black.

Afterward, we walked up to the nearby McDonalds. My first visit to this local establishment. I confess that could not resist an Oreo McFlurry any longer!

Three in One

On a picture perfect spring day, we took advantage of every hour possible. On Saturday we woke up to a perfectly blue sky, a gentle breeze, a bright sun and moderate temperature. After morning errands, we took a stroll over to Kirstenbosch—a large botanical garden sitting at the base of Table Mountain just down the Skeleton Gorge.

This well manicured garden welcomes with exotic plants and meters upon meters of green grass and bushes all set against the backdrop of the towering mountain. As I entered the space, there was a sense of awe that did not seem to cease for the five hours we stayed there.

We took a picnic and enjoyed the shade of a tall tree hiding playful birds. We walked along paths and saw a garden of King Protea, the national flower, a garden of useful plants, and a garden of statues. We also stopped for an afternoon tea, which just so happened to come with a few sweet desserts and scones.

Afterward, we drove to a conference deciding Rugby game—our team, Western Province, played the Sharks and won clinching their bid to the playoffs. We were on field level at the end of the field..which was great for seeing all the action! On the way, I bought humor for 0.50R.

That is right, a hawker was selling flyers at the stoplight and I thought why not..one laugh would be worth it. The two-sided brochure was full of fun facts and humor…we had enjoyed reading them along the way. There were the quintessential blonde jokes and old age jokes—we chuckled, as did our taxi driver—and it passed the ride quickly. Well worth the 50 Rand cents.

After the game, we took advantage of the monthly public access night to the Astronomy Observatory that our neighborhood is named after. We listened to a short lecture about the history of the space program in South Africa and took a short tour through their museum. Unfortunately, clouds blocked our view of the stars themselves, but it was a nice to see the facility!

And that was our Saturday. Full of many bucket list items…which was good since Sunday was like a March day at home…blustery, rainy and cold. Made for a full day productivity and tea drinking!

All in all it was a well-balanced and satisfying weekend! Next up—Hermanus!

Rainbow Nation

Today I saw a rainbow that literally stretched from one side of the horizon across the other centered perfectly over the highway that we were driving along. It was gorgeous. It made my day.

Perfectly timed as I am going to a public debate titled, "Rainbow Nation: Myth or Reality?" on Wednesday. More to report on that later.

For now, I am going to keep smiling thinking about the colorful sky.

Weekends...What about During the Week?

One always looks forward to the weekends...a time set aside for catching up on errands or enjoying some leisure time. In the day to day routine of events, it is easy to lose sight of the time one has free in the evenings. That is complicated here due to transportation; however, I got to thinking last week, that I really need to do more with my evenings here in Cape Town. So this week, I have done just that.

Monday, I had the opportunity to go to an improv comedy show called Theatre Sports. This organization is comprised mainly of college students who put on a unique show nightly playing games on stage with the suggestions of the audience. I alwasy enjoy these kinds of shows, because they are simply in the moment, and one never knows just what might come out of someone's mouth. In any case, it was a great way to spend a Monday night---simply LAUGHING. Surprisingly, the humor was not too culture specific but there were a few nuances that provided a little insight into South African culture.

Prior to the show we went to the Eastern Food Bizarre for dinner. This food court of sorts had about 10 different stalls of Eastern food from Indian to Chinese to Turkish and it all looked so amazing it was overwhelming to pick only one dish. I managed though. I enjoyed some lentils and rice along with a Chicken Kebab and it was delicious and I look forward to going back there soon! Bonus: It was another item off the bucket list!

On Tuesday, we had planned to go to a preview of a dance show at the Baxter Theatre, but for a number of reason this did not go as planned, so instead, we went to the Labia Theatre to see Mao's Last Dancer on Wednesday.

This was a great film about a boy selected by the government to be trained as a ballet dancer away from his family in Beijing. Eventually he is selected to study in the States, and after his time there, does not want to return home. I will not give away the entire story because you should either watch the film or read the book. I plan to do the latter in the near future as it was fascinating to get this glimpse into life in China during the 1970s and 80s. Having studied there, I might be a bit biased, but nonetheless, I would highly recommend it!

As for my time at UWC during the days this week, I managed to conduct several focus group interviews, work with the SIFE team for their Green Week activities, speak as an international student at a forum and do a bit of research on student governments in South Africa. Not too shabby I suppose.

TGIF!

Devil's Peak--Another Mis-adventure

Well, last weekend I had another misadventure, although not nearly as epic as the previous one. However, it does involve mountains again. Last Sunday, we thought it would be fun to climb Devil's Peak which sits just to the left of Table Mountain from our neighborhood. On the way up, one passes the Rhodes Memorial--a monument that should not be missed.

I started the day with the intent of knocking two items from my bucket list. Perhaps I should explain the bucket list. Time goes so fast when one is abroad and there is always something to be explored so I have done my best to list out those things for which I must do before leaving Cape Town. Both Rhodes and Devil's Peak were on that list...sadly Devil's Peak remains.

So we hiked up to the monument a third of the way up the mountain and rested and snacked before heading farther up the peak. We followed a path that we thought would take us to the summit and walked a ways before realizing that it did not in fact go up but around...we collectively decided that we would just turn the climb into a hike.

While I was slightly disappointed, it turned out to be a great day. We ended up walking for about 5 hours around the curving path and explored decaying buildings, observed beautiful wild flowers, and avoided a variety of wild creatures including unidentifiable bugs and snakes! It was a worthwhile adventure. As we started to head back to sea level, a cloud started to descend onto the mountain making our walk back a bit more challenging. It went from being a warm and sunny day to a windy and misty afternoon in all what seemed to be five minutes. It was really fun to walk through the clouds!

We stopped at the grocery store to buy supplies for family dinner on the way home. On the way, in a scene straight from a movie, a car, driving obscenely and unnecessarily close to the edge of road, sprayed a huge puddle of water at me. Yes, I was the lucky one in our group of four to take the brunt of this attack. I was drenched from head to toe, which is never comfortable, but especially not when one is already sticky from a day of climbing and covered in a red dust from the trails...

We all laughed, including me, at the situation and kept walking. But it truly felt like a scene from a movie where someone is downtrodden and this kind of incident would just be icing on the cake.

After a warm shower, I enjoyed the always anticipated family dinner and had a productive evening preparing for the upcoming week!

Work Week

It is getting to be that time in the semester when deadlines become fast approaching and you can feel the intensity in the students—both those in the house and those at UWC. I also am starting to feel the pinch at the end of the semester.

Over the course of the week, I managed to spend one full day counting votes from the student government elections. The process here is much more formal and political than any experience I have had in the states and it was most interesting to be involved in that process.

I also designed a few logos for the Office of Social Responsibility and Leadership. I must say that as much as my work is in Higher Education here, I have also developed my skills with photography and design. It has been nice to share this skill with UWC while improving my ability with the technology. A valuable lesson for anyone volunteering or interning with an organization is that it is as much about your own development as it is about serving the organization’s needs. It must be co-beneficial for it to be a true success.

I also spent ample time with the SIFE team developing a presentation for a company’s bid for an entrepreneurship award as well as preparing a brochure for another small business.

I am taking today to enjoy a local café and get some work done. Including preparing for a lecture I am giving to second year education students at the University of Stellenbosch next week, following-up with contacts from the previous two conferences, preparing for focus group interviews that I am conducting next week and updating this blog for all you dedicated readers.

I should note, that I am also blogging for the College of Education at Marquette while I am here. The blog is more academic in nature and speaks more about my internship experiences while I have been here. My entries are posted every other Friday at http://marquetteeducator.wordpress.com. My most recent entry should be posted today!

In any case, I thought I should send a brief account of my work so you do not think that I am only having fun here! Although, the work has been equally enjoyable.

Stellenbosch for the Weekend

Wow, I cannot believe that it has already been a month since the mid-semester trip. What a busy month it has been! Back to back conferences and many project deadlines have kept me on my toes. I am happy to report that I took the long weekend (thanks to the national Heritage Day holiday) to relax.

Our plan was to head to Stellenbosch Friday, Simon’s Town on Saturday and Cape of Good Hope on Sunday; however, we never made it past Stellenbosch. Stellenbosch is the wine region near Cape Town. It is surrounded by mountains and covered in vineyards. This area is primarily an Afrikaans region and the European influence is evident from the Dutch Architecture that surrounds the city centre and the University as well as the language of people walking along the streets.

Taking the train out there took a little longer than expected, as did the walk to our hostel. Note: Maps are not always drawn proportionately, train stations do not always have taxis readily available and return tickets are only valid for one day. Also, one can buy anything from chips, chocolate and nuts to vapor rub, credit card holding key rings and nail clippers on the train. Once we made it, we decided to just take in the area with a nice late lunch and walk through the marketplace.

Lunch at the Big Easy was delightful and perhaps a bit indulgent. It was the first time that I had the privilege to order wine for the table, which meant I got to taste and approve before it was served. We felt very proper and sophisticated!

After making one or two purchases from the market, we decided to get some snacks for the room and some magazines and headed back for a girls night. Girl talk and movies consumed the evening and it was quite nice to just relax!

The next day, after quite the adventure, we found our selves on a wine tour of sorts. We serendipitously landed at Beyerskloofs, the source of our wine from the day before. Then walked our way back towards the city to visit another estate: Louiesenhof. Next we had an Italian lunch and people-watched back in city centre.

It was nice to stroll the old streets. Dorp St., esteemed as the oldest street in Stellenbosch, has many cute shops, galleries and eateries. We made sure to enjoy some gelato and again enjoy the nice weather.

Generally it was a laid back weekend with friends that seemed to easily pass the time and I enjoyed the scenery and the conversation. We ventured back toward Cape Town on a rainy Sunday-the magic of the weekend was officially over. We missed mass as a result of the train time, but not to worry, we heard an hour long of preaching on our train car. We figured that would count.

Catching Up on Sleep

When one studies abroad, there is a pressing sense of not wanting to waste time. That is, to spend every day possible conquering another item on the bucket list. Whereas it is nice to report on a long list of accomplished experiences, this pressure overlooks the greater integration into society.

After the mid-semester trip and two conferences, I spent three full weeks as a visitor to South Africa. It was not until this weekend, that I realized how much Cape Town has started to feel like home. After that whole flurry of activity, I was in much need of sleep which I managed to catch up on and realized that I no longer had the same sense of urgency I had during the first two months in the country. This is not to say that I sat around all weekend, because I didn't, but my activities took a bit of a different form.

Friday night, a couple of my housemates and I went to dinner at another American students house. We did our best to make a South African dish--Babotie--which came out quite well (if I say so myself) as well as enjoyed some Malva Pudding which I have come to thoroughly enjoy! This was a much needed relaxed evening. On Saturday, I did the usual chores, laundry and tidying up the room before going to the beach in the afternoon.

Llandudno Beach is one of many beautiful beaches near Cape Town. I went with an American friend as well as a South African and a Zimbabwean. We had a little picnic, played frisbee, climbed some boulders and watched the sunset as surfers caught the final waves of the day. Again, it was very relaxing and fun.

Sunday, I woke up, went to church and then to the grocery store. Again, mundane tasks that make one feel at home. I then went to dinner with all my housemates to Judy Mayotte's home--she founded the program and is still involved. We all enjoyed getting to know her a little better and of course the delightful meal she had prepared!

There was nothing extraordinary this weekend, except that I realized how much this place feels like home. I still have many activities to do and places to visit, but I enjoy the everyday flow here; integrating as a community member as opposed to just being a tourist passing through.

Conferences

Please excuse the lapse in entries, I have spent the last two weeks enveloped in conferences. The first was a student conference: African Student Leader's Summit. While it was held in Cape Town, I was staying at a hotel downtown and without access to my usual tools; namely my computer. The following week, I was at a professional conference SAACDHE: South Africa Counselling and Development in Higher Education. This conference took place in Stellenbosch. Both experiences were absolutely amazing.

After the break, I did not think my time here in South Africa could get any better, but it did! Monday was a particularly good day. Starting with the letter from my grandma and ending with a package from my mom, the middle was filled with a myriad of unique opportunities, starting with having lunch with former Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane, meeting President Mbeki, who then gave a lecture and then having dinner at the Western Cape Premier's House--the location Mandela stayed the night before being inaugurated as President. It was quite a surreal day. The rest of the week, while not as star-studded was very engaging and full of lively discussions about the future of Africa as a continent and in the context of the greater world. The opportunity to network with students from 10 different African nations was not lost! And the week ended with a speech by Alice Walker for the Steve Biko Memorial Lecture. My mind is still trying to digest all the conversations and insights from that week.

As for last week, the SAACDHE Conference was completely a different vibe, but no less enlightening. It was nice to converse with a myriad of practitioners from around South Africa as well as to gain an understanding of the field in South Africa--both where it is, and where it is going. Most notably, they use models established in the United States. Names like Tinto, Pascarella, and Astin came up on countless occasions leading me to the conclusion that there is much room for research here in Africa! In any case, the week was full of sessions and networking as well as one night in the Harbor aboard the Sea Princess. Another good week.

All in all, the last two weeks have been chalked full of opportunities that are much appreciated; however, I am ready to get back to campus and see students again!

Mid-Semester Adventure

Over the last week, I took a break from UWC during the between term break. I was lucky to be able to take advantage of the trip planned for the undergraduate students and man am I glad that chance came my way. It was a fantastic adventure that words cannot really convey…at least not without writing a novel. So, I think it is best to report back by the numbers:

24 hours before our scheduled departure we left for a 10 day adventure. We drove in a 16 seat safari-esq truck for 3,571m or 2220 miles to 7 cities: Knysna, Cintsa, Port Elizabeth, Coffee Bay, Durban, Johannesburg and Kruger National Park. During the approximate 45 hours in the car, we saw countless cows, fields and mountains and in between gazes out at the vast countryside I read 748 pages between 3 different books including the conclusion of the Long Walk to Freedom. The best way to read such a historic work—driving through the same places Mandela did during the liberation struggle. Along the way we saw 4 World Cup Stadiums-5 if you count Cape Town that we have seen before: Durban, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Nelspruit.

Guided by 2 different drivers, we stayed in 5 different hostels, 2 of which were updated huts and all of which had plenty of character and local flare, we encountered many international and local travelers taking advantage of the great variety of the South African landscape. We visited 2 Xhosa villages-one more modern than the other-and a Zulu village that was touristy but one could grasp the outlines of the culture. We went on 3 safari drives on which we saw three of the big five-Elephant, Buffalo and Rhino. Additionally, we saw several birds, bok, antelope, giraffes, monkeys, zebras, baboons, warthogs and 1 water-hole bathing Hippo. Finally, I spent 1 night sleeping under the stars and witnessed 4 shooting stars on which I had nothing to wish for. I woke up for 4 sunrises, 3 over the ocean and witnessed several sunsets over rolling mountains, oceans and national park terrain. Finally, I was in Johannesburg Oliver Tambo Airport for the 3^rd time exactly 8 weeks to the day of my arrival.

I took 1532 pictures of which I will post only a fraction~soon.

It was a great adventure with plenty of opportunities to balance local culture with tourist destinations; to drive and to hike, to see the urban versus rural landscapes and to enjoy everything South Africa has to offer!

Departure

Thanks to everyone who has been reading my blog thus far. I cannot believe it, but tomorrow we leave for a "mid-semester" trip. Although it is not truly the exact half-way point, time has gone by so quickly here!

In any case, I will not have the chance to write for the next 10 days. However, when I return, I promise to have many stories to share. Also, I promise to get pictures onto Shutterfly. Limited internet at the house resulted in an unsuccessful upload the other day. I will make that a priority when I return.

Until then, I am off for an adventure along the Garden Route up to Kruger National Park!

Mis-Adventures

Someone asked me the other day what my favorite part about being in South Africa was. Without hesitation I said, “Looking at Table Mountain daily”. It just never seems to get old. That said, I have been unable to climb this landmark yet and after 6 full weeks, I feel the mountain is starting to mock me a bit, especially after this weekend’s many mis-adventures.

After a very sunny and bright Friday out in Stellenbosch at a gorgeous wine estate for a management retreat and workshop, the weekend weather turned quite gloomy. On Saturday that was most welcomed because I needed a day to recover from a very full week of work and UWC events. But this morning, I was ready for a good adventure.

I woke up to the familiar sound of rain on our glass roof but while eating breakfast it cleared up and we were feeling optimistic about the day. So, with much of the house busy with homework, Gill and I were determined to take advantage and climb the mountain.

We packed our lunch and headed out the door. After a roller-coaster-esq taxi drive, we made it to the base of the mountain and we looked up at the lingering cloud, locally called the table cloth, over the rock and thought, it must be cold up there and marched bravely along the road to start our ascent.

This lasted about 5 minutes when we ran into some locals who discouraged our attempt. We listened to their wisdom, but it was the rain that fell about 2 minutes later that sealed the deal on our waiting to climb. We found shelter in the tourist shops near the cable-car station where we saw a sign that read: Gale Force Winds-Cable Car closed. The final straw.

Having just paid for a taxi up, we were not about to crawl back into another cab. So we hitched hiked down the mountain with two German girls about our age. They were very nice and we rode with them in an attempt to catch a glimpse of the Athlon cooling tours that were scheduled for demolition-a significant event for locals as it will change the skyline a bit.

We made our way to Signal Hill to watch, only to be told that they had fallen 5 minutes early and were already down. The only thing here to happen before its scheduled time. Standing in the rain, made this news even more disappointing. Nonetheless, we got back into the car and were dropped off at the local taxi station.

Unwilling to call it quits and determined to have an adventure (and stay out of the house for an hour or two) we walked to Charley’s Bakery—known for delicious cupcakes and baked goods—only to discover it was closed…it is Sunday afterall. Once we were there, it down poured. We decided better to be wet and get home than get even colder than we already were.

So we walked quickly back towards the station, took a bus home and promptly took warm showers and had some tea. That is where I am at currently. Tucked under many blankets writing the afternoon away in sweats, drinking tea and listening to familiar music.

Despite the many mis-adventures today, it is a fun story. Though, I will say that after being defeated by the Mountain, I cannot look at it the same and it continues to stare at me and mock me even more. I can; however, guarantee that it will be conquered by the end of the semester!

Two Sides of the Story

I am currently sitting in the office of Social Responsibility and Leadership being taught a some Afrikaans and about South African delicacies. For all I have done in 6 weeks, it appears there is a lot more to experience. This reality proves there are always two perspectives--a glass can be half full or half empty.

In a recent UWC experience there were surely more than just two perspectives. On Tuesday, as we drove to campus, the radio newsflash warned that UWC students would be protesting and that classes may be interrupted. As a person who sees students and administrators daily, this was the first time I had heard anything about the protest or the issue being raised. I was relieved this morning at a managers meeting where the acting Rector said she was also taken by surprise.

In any case, I went to my first meeting without any change in routine, but when I came out to head to the 11:30 Inaugural Amy Biehl Lecture at the Library, I was deterred by a growing gathering of students. Students huddled on the large staircase chanting African songs, stomping in rhythm, waving arms and signs, and responding to slogans inbetween chants. This gathering shifted location throughout the day from 8:00 am-4:30 pm and students were adement that a "Injury to one is an injury to all." Thus no students were able to write their exams or attend classes whether or not they agreed or disagreed with the protests.

Being a curious person, I set out to better understand the situation talking to students, staff and administrators. Generally the discrepency between students and the University has to do with allocation and distribution of student financial aid. But when asked, the various stakeholders held quite an array of opinions.

Student opinions ranged from not having any idea or concern because they were international students from Namibia to being dedicated to standing up against "poverty as a tool of mass destruction" to accusations that administration was incompetent. Another student shared his perspective that only the Black students protested and that colored students did not find that course of action appropriate. He did not buy the unity of the student body and stated outright that students ran with their own. Other students were angry that they were trapped in the library when it was locked down or unable to write the test for which they had studied hard.

Staff and mid-level managers did not find the strike to be the most effective response by students. If they are worried about student financing, then what are they doing to help? How much are they spending on parties? One discussed the negative implications on image and recruitment. They also did not think University leadership effectively communicated to staff to prepare them on the situation.

When I asked a higher level manager about this, her response was that other univerisities have three times the amount of staff doing the same amount of work and the head of the university had been out ill and it was the systemic underresourcing that accounted for the lack of communication. Also, come to find out, the students leading the protest did not follow through on feedback from administration on how to resolve the problem at hand. Thus not empowering the administration to address their concerns effectively.

This sitaution clearly has many sides and is complex. From my vantage point, being between student and staff, I do my best to stay neutral but really appreciate hearing all the perspectives. The situation is a good case study allowing me to gain insight about how the hierarchy of stakeholders at univerisites perceive situations and to reflect on how the situation might have been handled better.

Lesson: there are always two sides to every story and any manager or adminstrator needs to understand both to empathetically respond to situations when they arise.

Working Weekend

Well, I am officially 26.5. That is right I celebrate my half birthday and did so this weekend with some homemade apple cinnamon muffins. Yum. Aside from this welcomed occassion, I had two work committments this weekend.

The first was a leadership workshop for the International Golden Key organization here on campus. My advisor gave me the opportunity to co-facilitate the session which lasted from 9:00 to 4:00. We were working with a great group of students and the day went smoothly and ended with some satisfied and enriched students so it was a lovely way to spend a Saturday.

Sunday, I attended the inaugural New Hope Summit at Stellenbosch Univeristy. This mini-conference brought together students from Stellenbosch, UCT and UWC. It was really engaging as students and speakers exchanged ideas about transformation and implementing the change they see as necessary.

The amount of ownership the students are taking to join students from very different backgrouds for a United South Africa is quite extraordinary to witness and I am grateful to have been part of such an incredible event. Students here take their potential seriously and are committed to and work hard towards building a strong South Africa. While not all students are so engaged, it is refreshing to see so much energy expended towards a worthy cause. Both the dialogue and committment to action is inspiring.

After two hard days of work, I thought I would rest, until the opportunity to climb Lion's Head was presented. We left at 4:00 to watch the sunset over the ocean from the top and wow what a sight it was. The adventure down in the dark is another story, but lets just say it was definitely worth the sore muscles and lack of sleep today!

Freaky Friday

In the spirit of less is more, I will keep today’s entry short and sweet. Some things are better left unsaid…

Today’s events go like this:

Breakfast (Peanut Butter and Banana Toast)

Church at St. George’s Cathedral with Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu

Meet Desmond Tutu

Breakfast with a small gathering of churchgoers including Linda Biehl, Judy Mayotte, and Desmond Tutu

Run

Shop for Groceries

Lunch (Left over Spaghetti)

Baking, Wine and Mama Mia

Watch a Movie…Its Complicated

In an ever-growing list of surreal experiences here in South Africa, words fail to relay the complete dynamic and impact of many moments. So, here it is, an otherwise ordinary day (Friday the 13^th, no less), made extraordinary.

A Work Weekend Away

I am comfortably back “home” in Cape Town after a long weekend in Johannesburg…or at least its suburbs. I was there primarily for the National South African SIFE competition with 22 UWC students, the faculty advisor, Tonia, and the team director, PJ. We had a busy yet enjoyable three days together.

The competition was quite impressive with many corporate executives serving as judges, many delegations of students presenting very involved projects, traditional Zulu songs and dances that by week’s end brought together all the teams for an impressive display of community—I had chills on more than one occasion.

The UWC team worked hard for several weeks leading up to the competition which made me wonder when they went to class and did homework. Their dedication paid off as they won Second Place for Financial Literacy and Business Ethics. While they did not advance for the overall competition, the unique quality of this organization is that everyone wins. The students, their communities and the companies they partner with benefit from this organization that operates in 40 countries with over 42,000 student members. The energy from the weekend has given me many insights to consider.

On Saturday, I had the privilege of meeting a Marquette alumni, Peter Kwele and his family. While the logistics to meet him were a bit of an adventure, I was able to take the Gautrain built as part of the World Cup in Jo-burg. It rides quite nicely and although most Americans would not think it was a big deal, the South Africans are both proud and excited about the new mode of transportation.

I had a very nice visit with Peter getting to see his pictures and stories about his college days in Milwaukee and attending Church with his family. I had a bit of a girl’s night with his wife, Lindiwe, and their friends and it was very nice to be with locals and experience a new and genuine dimension of life in South Africa.

It never fails to amaze me how small the world has become and how friendly strangers can be in unfamiliar places. I ended up back at the OR Tambo airport exactly four weeks to the day from when I first arrived and sat there thinking how much has taken place over the past four weeks…and there is only more to come!

Movie Deprived-Luck and Circumstance

Most of you know that I am a bit out of touch when it comes to important movies in pop. culture. There are many I have not seen that I should like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. Well, this week, made me think twice about that track record and motivated me to see at least Lord of the Rings. Why?

I MET SIR IAN McKELLEN, aka Gandalf. Where?

Well, thanks to one of my housemates who is a theatre major, we learned that Waiting for Godot would be playing at the Fugard Theater and so in our usual desire to say yes to ALL opportunities, we bought student tickets for what would be equivalent to about $25. This was an incredible and irresistible value.

As things in Cape Town are not as driven by time and details as they are in the States, we were uncertain of the start time and arrived at the theatre at 6:00 to realize the show did not start until 7:30. Naturally we went for desert at the closest pub, DIAS. Good milkshakes. But back to the point, Sir Ian McKellen and the three other actors were sitting casually having dinner. There were not many other people there, so my housemate got the courage to speak with the table for a bit—she was very, VERY excited.

The play itself is a classic and has many nuggets that make one think and I would recommend reading it and perhaps seeing it if the chance comes along to anyone reading this blog. It was a delightful show after which we patiently outlasted the entire audience aside from the 15 people that remained as the crew exited. We met all four actors and got autographs and pictures…even with Sir Ian.

Now, lets note that I have no idea about this gentleman’s work outside of this one show, but after it, I look forward to watching at least Lord of the Rings. For those huge FANS out there…I know there are many…I apologize for being so removed, but know that I did truly enjoy the experience of meeting this legend.

A Delicious Weekend

Moving full steam ahead into week four, I will be departing for Johannesburg on Wednesday. So, I thought I would write a quick update so the next entry is devoted to the trip.

Last week was spent helping the SIFE students prepare for their upcoming national competition in Johannesburg. Teams from universities across South Africa will gather to deliver presentations about their entrepreneurial projects within their communities. I look forward to hearing about the innovative ways students have found to improve their communities.

I am also looking forward to getting to know the UWC students and staff a little better outside the office. My days are spent running around campus so an extended period of time to chat should be quite nice!

As for the past weekend, well you could say that I ate my way through it. On a blustery Saturday morning a few of us walked up to Old Biscuit Mills to what was an amped up Farmers Market that is very popular in Obs on the weekends. There was all sorts of food from crepes, curries, cheeses, chocolates, etc. You name it you could probably find it there.

I treated myself to a delicious Kebab and a homemade chocolate chocolate chip cookie. We then walked around some very cute shops that offered many temptations for which I resisted all but one. The rest of Saturday was spent reading and writing for UWC projects—always feels good to be productive!

Sunday…oh Sunday. We went to Mzoli’s for a South African braai. This is basically a huge community BBQ…and ohh my did we eat some delicious meat…and tons of it. Mzoli’s is located in Guguletu, a township about 15 minutes ride from Obs.

Our group was 20 strong and once we ordered a large tin bowl full of lamb, beef and chicken, we waited three hours before it was ready! That should give you an idea about how busy this little shop was. Mzoli, in case you were curious, is the owner and still works there…I was lucky enough to meet his acquaintance.

In between ordering and chowing down, there was ample music and dancing to keep us entertained. Even just sitting on top of the nearby wall offered ample entertainment and people watching. It was quite the mix of tourists, college students and locals. Quite the scene. Quite fun! Not to mention it was a gorgeous sunny day. That took the entire day from noon to about 6:00.

After which I came home, did laundry to get the smoky-BBQ smell from my clothing and made some homemade banana muffins. I did this off the cuff without my recipe from home. I am happy to report that they came out quite nicely…at least my housemates were happy!

Work Hard, Play Hard

After that last post, I do not want you all to think that I am not working hard here, so I thought I should follow that up with a report on my work at the University of Western Cape (UWC).

First and foremost, I must say how nice and welcoming everyone has been here at the University, within my first two weeks of being here, I have managed to conduct informational interviews with each department head within the Center for Student Support Services. This not only provided a great orientation to the campus, but allowed me to get to know the team, their work and their students. Additionally, it allowed me to identify projects that will keep me occupied over the semester.

There are more potential projects or interest areas here than one person could ever hope to experience. That said, I am only one person, so I have identified four primary projects and am filling in any time gaps by participating in other opportunities and interest areas. My four projects include:

1. Student Activities: Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE)--This is a student organization which teaches entreprenuership as well as good citizenship all at the same time.

2. Office of Student Development (Career Services)--I am working with national survey data to write a report for the office, helping with Student Representative Council (SRC) elections and gaining an understanding about the University Business Challenge-a national competition for students.

3. International Office--I am working on a research project regarding the
internationalization of tertiary (higher) education in South Africa.

4. Residential Life/Academic Support Services--Living-Learning Community Development. I am working on the development team to create a new living-learning community ready for enrollment for the January 2011 term.

Other projects include, understanding the philosophy and major concerns of the Therapuetic Services Department (Counseling Center), engaging with the Emerging and Advanced Leaders Programs, as well as the RAGS, Emotional EQ and Career Development Programs.

My days are non-stop both physically and mentally and it is great to be in such an energetic and engaging setting. I will update the blog as the projects progress. For now that is a big picture view of my time here!

Weekend at the Beach

Thanks for everyone's patience on pictures, I promise to upload some early next week. The lack of photos is a result of costly internet connections, not a lack of pictures I PROMISE!

I thought I would give a brief update on my activities over the past weekend. I will start by saying that while the weather is not warm here, it has been unusually sunny for this time of year. This made it ideal for taking advantage of the South African coast line.

On a sunny Saturday morning, I got down to business and visited the local cafe, CocoChaChi's for breakfast and internet. This was a fantastic start to the weekend as I enjoyed a cafe classic "French Kiss" which is an order of French Toast smothered with chocolate sauce and almonds. Yes it was a bit rich, but I did not mind a bit!

With that mission completed, I went home and read in the yard for a bit before taking the train to Muizenberg. This particular beach town is known for their colorful beach houses which sit along the sand. This was my first view of the open ocean--actually my second if you count Robben Island, but that is a bit different--and it was fabulous. With mountains on both side, we walked up and down the shore line, took plenty of pictures and managed to get our feet wet. This was no small feat considering the Ocean was about the temperature of Lake Michigan in March. Somehow it just seemed like the right thing to do.

After enjoying the open air, we decided to visit a local eatery called "The Boat House". The sign above the door read "Galley" and somehow it kind of felt like home just for a moment. In any case, we met a very nice Egyptian man, Ihad, who had just opened the cafe. He was very nice and promised to send me his recipe for his Oat & Honey Bars and Death by Chocolate Balls once I had returned to the states. Both were absolutely delicious and combined cost about $1.50...YUM!

Basically Saturday was a very tasty day.

Sunday was also a very sunny and nice. Since we enjoyed Saturday so much, we decided to return to the beach, but to go further South this time stopping at the final train stop-Simon's Town. Known for their Naval operations and penguins, this destination proved to be very relaxing and fun. We took our time walking down to the National Park to view the penguins stopping at several shops along the way.

The penguins were the main attraction for the day and it was nice to see the birds in their natural habitat. Admittedly, they were more bird-like than I imagined, but that seems natural seeing as Happy Feet is my most recent reference. I was surprised at how close we were able to get without making them waddle away. My favorite bit was their foot prints in the sand just before they disappeared into the waves.

After a little more climbing on the rocks and walking around, we returned home for the Sunday House Dinner. The menu was chili and it was quite delicious and warm after a day in the cool water.

First Week Details

Now that you know more about my mindset as I embark on the next few months, let me tell you more about the practical details. After only a week in the town, I have settled into Kimberly House, named after the street on which it is located. It is the amalgam of two houses that are connected at the kitchen. It has lots of natural lighting which is great and my room has a fireplace and hard woods floors, not to mention a heater above my bed!

I have a room to myself, which is quiet and allows me to read…I am still on Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom, but this reading came alive after visiting Robben Island and attending the Ubuntu Festival celebrating Madiba’s birthday last weekend. Seeing Cape Town sprawling across the coast from the island with bars blocking the panoramic view, helped provide greater insight and perspective.

In between weekends exploring the city, I spend my time during the week at the University of Western Cape (UWC). I am settling into the Center for Student Support Services (CSSS) and the entire team has been very welcoming. During the first week, I had informational interviews with several departments that have provided great insights about some universal concerns in higher education as well as some context specific differences. Additionally hearing about the programs and services at UWC, I have learned much about their approach and theory to serving students and I am reflecting on all that I am taking in. I will write about my specific projects (for which there are many) in a future entry.

Those are the basic building blocks thus far. All is well and the shining sun over the past week has not hurt!

Irrestibly Irreversible

Irresistibly Irreversible

Mark Twain once said, “Timing is everything,” and I agree. Arriving on the heels of the World Cup has provided great insight into my Cape Town experience.

In preparing to host the world, South Africa spent much time, effort, emotion, energy and money into moving onto the world stage. Their performance, they hoped, would bring accolades and not criticism. And such was the case. As a result of their efforts, people all over the world have a new awareness about this nation, its pride, and its history. And the people here have a great since of accomplishment and a renewed sense of hope and unity.

Prior to and during the World Cup the Nation faced challenges—construction projects, security and ticket sales to name a few. Some brought triumph and others headaches, but in the end, the month long tournament brought energy to people that has not ceased now that it is over. The lessons and momentum created have established a collective memory that cannot be destroyed and that have propelled the nation forward both internally and externally. The risk of failing on this stage did not deter the people but inspired them to rise to their best.

On a much (much) smaller scale, I can apply this as a model to my time here in Cape Town. Leading up to the departure there was much investment financially, physically and emotionally and a sense of risk in leaving a job I enjoyed, saying good-bye to family and friends, and going on my own to a new place not known for safety. Now that I am here, that sense of risk has subsided, but as in any profound experience, there are small challenges to overcome and when there is a small victory the success lays a foundation for another step forward and headaches cease with time and determination.

After only a week, I can already feel the ball rolling in the right direction and an increasing sense of excitement and energy. By the end of this experience, I hope that I leave with the same sense energy for which I was welcomed into this country and that it propels me forward professionally and personally. For now, I am working on being my best and taking every opportunity to grow.

Pre-Departure

Hi Everyone, thanks for tuning into this blog. I am new at this so I can't make any promises, but I hope to bring friends and family along with me to South Africa through pictures and sharing experiences.

It is my intention to write about once or twice a week, but it may be more and it may be less depending on access to internet and my schedule. At least this method of communication won't clog your inbox with emails.

There is not much more to say until I reach my destination...that should be on July 10th as long as there are no ash clouds, torrential floods or general airline shinnangians. Until then, I will be busy saying good-byes and packing.

Two quick tidbits.
1. South Africa is about 7 hours ahead of Central Standard Time. So if it is noon here it is 7:00 pm there. That is, until Milwaukee "falls" back. Then Cape Town is 8 hours ahead.

2. For those of you trying to figure out Capri--it is a nickname that I have acquired and grown quite fond of...and who doesn't like a little aliteration?

Until next time,
Cape Town bound Capri