Well we arrived back from camp on Friday afternoon. It was a long week, hard week, but also rewarding. We had 45 students from the Mimosa Primary School which attended Tuesday - Friday. The camp was beautiful with views of the ocean and we worked hard with the students in different activities during each day. Our itinerary had to change daily as we did not know what the next days weather would be. It was amazing. On Tuesday it was beautiful and almost eighty degrees. We ran outdoor races with the students in the morning and then took them to the beach that afternoon. I got to wear shorts in winter? The next day; the rains came in and it was much colder and we moved all the activities indoors to the sports hall, forum, etc. It amazes me on the weather changes here during the winter months.
On Friday we were to take the campers to Robben Island to tour the former prison of Nelson Mandela; however the seas were rough and the boat canceled and we ended up taking the kids to the acquarium in CT.
2011 Johnson & Wales Study Abroad to South Africa
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Life in South Africa
After two weeks of being here I thought I would be interesting to share some facts.
The area is beaustiful and we have covered much of it from Cape Town to Cape Point.
I find it to be a cross between Boston, Newport and Newfoundland, as many of my family know is beautiful.
Even for a large city (Cape Town) there is many things that we find are 10-15 years behind the states. Internet access if very limited here and there are literally tons of Internet Cafes as we used to have in the mid 90's in the states. These cafes are only working on DSL which is about 10 years ago for us.
They have cell phones with texting but the service is not always great. Our home base is in the town of Fish Hoek. It is quite the sleepy town and everything opens at 8am and closes by 6pm. The Pick N Pay supermarket is open till about 8pm.
The history of Fish Hoek is interesting. The land was give to develop a town with the determination that it would be a dry town. It is only recently that restaurants can apply for a license to serve alchohol.
The lodge we are staying at is actually part of a Christian trust that is run by Delgun and Pam who have been there for twenty years. The "domestics" as they are called are the ladies who make and serve us three meals a day.
It is very regimented. The bell (like in Texas) rings at exactly 8am. Grace is said then the meal is served. The same works for dinner at 6pm. If you miss it you miss it. My building is across the street but the ladies make sure to come outside and ring the bell to make sure the students are awake.
As for the weather, we have been pretty lucky. Winter is their rainy season but we have only had a few days of rain. The weather can get down to 40 at night but we have had days that are 75 degrees.
The prevailing wind is quite strong as you can see how many of the trees grow at an angle. Because winters are short and mild they do not believe in central heat. I dont think any of the buildings or at least few have it. In the summer months it can climb to 110 or 120 F. Many of the buildings have antiquaited lock systems as you will see in a picture I am posting, which use skeleton keys to open them. I have five keys to access my door and buildings, something we are not use to in the states.
Things have been well and the students are getting along with no problems. Today we participated in Downhill Adventures where we went Sandboarding and Quadbiking. What a fun day.
Nine PM and pretty dirty, sore and tired. Will be writing more next friday. We will be away for the week at Rocklands Camp with no cell or internet. Will talk sooon.
The area is beaustiful and we have covered much of it from Cape Town to Cape Point.
I find it to be a cross between Boston, Newport and Newfoundland, as many of my family know is beautiful.
Even for a large city (Cape Town) there is many things that we find are 10-15 years behind the states. Internet access if very limited here and there are literally tons of Internet Cafes as we used to have in the mid 90's in the states. These cafes are only working on DSL which is about 10 years ago for us.
They have cell phones with texting but the service is not always great. Our home base is in the town of Fish Hoek. It is quite the sleepy town and everything opens at 8am and closes by 6pm. The Pick N Pay supermarket is open till about 8pm.
The history of Fish Hoek is interesting. The land was give to develop a town with the determination that it would be a dry town. It is only recently that restaurants can apply for a license to serve alchohol.
The lodge we are staying at is actually part of a Christian trust that is run by Delgun and Pam who have been there for twenty years. The "domestics" as they are called are the ladies who make and serve us three meals a day.
It is very regimented. The bell (like in Texas) rings at exactly 8am. Grace is said then the meal is served. The same works for dinner at 6pm. If you miss it you miss it. My building is across the street but the ladies make sure to come outside and ring the bell to make sure the students are awake.
As for the weather, we have been pretty lucky. Winter is their rainy season but we have only had a few days of rain. The weather can get down to 40 at night but we have had days that are 75 degrees.
The prevailing wind is quite strong as you can see how many of the trees grow at an angle. Because winters are short and mild they do not believe in central heat. I dont think any of the buildings or at least few have it. In the summer months it can climb to 110 or 120 F. Many of the buildings have antiquaited lock systems as you will see in a picture I am posting, which use skeleton keys to open them. I have five keys to access my door and buildings, something we are not use to in the states.
Things have been well and the students are getting along with no problems. Today we participated in Downhill Adventures where we went Sandboarding and Quadbiking. What a fun day.
Nine PM and pretty dirty, sore and tired. Will be writing more next friday. We will be away for the week at Rocklands Camp with no cell or internet. Will talk sooon.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Visit to Khayelitsha
Yesterday we visited the Township of Khayelitsha. Met with Elise Elsing. A German engineer who moved here when she was 27. In the 1980's when her parents were coming to visit, her mother found herself sitting next to Mother Theresa who was heading to the township to do work. Upon arriving Elise's mother informed her that she wanted to visit Khayelitsha - something that wasn't done. To make a long story short Elise's mother returned to Germany where she still heads up a fund raising campaign at the age of 90 years old to build schools in the township.
Now for Elise. With the help of her mother's fundraising she left her engineering job and for the past 20 years has helped build primary schools in the township. So far she has built 14 schools and 1 community center. A very well respected, hard working woman in the community, known by the children as Mama.
After visiting two schools, we visited the Nubantu center where we had lunch and also were entertained by the children. From there we visited Vicky's B & B, where we had dinner and many of us stayed for the night. A few others stayed at other local B & B's. The students can now appreciate what we have as Americans. Pictures will follow.
Vicky is a very well known and respected person in the township as she is helping to build homes and bring business to the community.
It is very sad to see the conditions that many of the residents live in. Known as shacks, these are built with anything that residents can find to build with.
See my facebook page for the most recent pics.
Ron
Now for Elise. With the help of her mother's fundraising she left her engineering job and for the past 20 years has helped build primary schools in the township. So far she has built 14 schools and 1 community center. A very well respected, hard working woman in the community, known by the children as Mama.
After visiting two schools, we visited the Nubantu center where we had lunch and also were entertained by the children. From there we visited Vicky's B & B, where we had dinner and many of us stayed for the night. A few others stayed at other local B & B's. The students can now appreciate what we have as Americans. Pictures will follow.
Vicky is a very well known and respected person in the township as she is helping to build homes and bring business to the community.
It is very sad to see the conditions that many of the residents live in. Known as shacks, these are built with anything that residents can find to build with.
See my facebook page for the most recent pics.
Ron
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Rugby
Saturday we were able to go to the Newlands Stadium and watch a rugby match against the Stormers (South) and Bull (north). It was very fun and we were able to see the stadium where the historic rugby match took place when Nelson Mandella was president.
Sunday was a day off. Students were able to have a day on their own. Some chose to go hiking, while others went on a Shark watching excursion. Professor Drohan and I took the train into Cape Town for some shopping.
Tomorrow we head to Cape Town University of Technology.
Sunday was a day off. Students were able to have a day on their own. Some chose to go hiking, while others went on a Shark watching excursion. Professor Drohan and I took the train into Cape Town for some shopping.
Tomorrow we head to Cape Town University of Technology.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Cape Point Visit
Had great weather today for being out and about. Hit up the the Penguin Colony on Boulders Beach and then onto Cape Point to hike. We climbed to the top of the lighthouse for a photo op and then had a quick lunch. A baboon stole Liz's sandwhich during lunch.
We then hiked the trail to the Southwest most point of Africa. What a hike! We decided to go down to the beach half way through. A great idea at first but then we had to climb the sand dune and back up about 500 steps up the cliff. I am truly sore.
Finished the hike and then back to the lodge for dinner. Had seen some Ostrich, baboons and other animals while on the hike.
We then hiked the trail to the Southwest most point of Africa. What a hike! We decided to go down to the beach half way through. A great idea at first but then we had to climb the sand dune and back up about 500 steps up the cliff. I am truly sore.
Finished the hike and then back to the lodge for dinner. Had seen some Ostrich, baboons and other animals while on the hike.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Day 3
Went up Signal Hill and saw some great views of Cape Town. Learned about District 6 that was ravaged by apartheid and also visited the museam about it. Finished up the day will a visit to the South African museum hosted by our friend Roddy Bray. Everyone is well, but tired.
Hamburgers for dinner at the lodge which was a surprise, but some of the students didn't care for the meat. Some things are different and they need to get use to it and try different things.
It is amazing to learn what people went through from the years of 1948 - 1994.
Tomorrow we are off to the Cape of Hope.
Hamburgers for dinner at the lodge which was a surprise, but some of the students didn't care for the meat. Some things are different and they need to get use to it and try different things.
It is amazing to learn what people went through from the years of 1948 - 1994.
Tomorrow we are off to the Cape of Hope.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Tuesday
Got to the Lodge after a couple long flights. Arrived about 11pm and settled in. We talked till about 2am. Lodge is nice, but not the Marriott some people expect. It was 54 degrees when we arrived and about 40 overnight. They don't believe in central heat so the room was quite cold.
The down comforter and pillows made up for it. Will post pictures later. Everyone is tired but in good spirits.
The down comforter and pillows made up for it. Will post pictures later. Everyone is tired but in good spirits.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Getting Ready
Zero days left till departure. Now counting the hours. Could the weekend be any busier?
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
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