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.