Exciting weekend with Americans

This past weekend I was able to hang out with some Americans from San Diego.  It was very refreshing to hang out with them and discuss the South African culture, what we loved, what we missed, what we take for granted, and what we have all learned so far.  The 3 ladies were part of the same Mission Trip group of Americans who helped with our camp.  These ladies traveled to Swaziland with Kuyasa serving on the other trip.  They only had 2 days left, so I hung out with them, chauffeured them around and took them into Cape Town.  It was my first time driving into Cape Town myself.  I have been into the city a couple of times, but I was never the driver.   We visited the Green Market, which had 100’s of little booths with the locals selling all of their hand crafted treasures.  It was somewhat overwhelming and annoying.  The minute the locals here your American accent they are all over you trying to get you into their booth claiming “For youuuu..., I give you grrrreatttt deal......”  and they are extremely aggressive and pushy.  I finally bought a few of my first African souvenirs, but only to the ones who weren’t pushy.   What I later found out from some local friends is that they hike up the prices for Americans as they think we are all filthy rich....(little do they know), so if I want any more treasures I need to take a local Afrikaan friend to do the negotiating for me and I shouldn’t speak.   Good plan.  I hate the haggling anyway.  

After we were done shopping we drove in many circles before finding the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.  We enjoyed taking in the local music and walked around checking out the marina and shops.  We celebrated their final evening in S.A. with some pizza, nachos and an inexpensive bottle of white wine at one of the restaurants.  This gave us each 1 glass of wine to enjoy.   I mention this only because it relates to the next part of my story.  Upon driving home on Interstate N-2 back to Gordon’s Bay, the entire Interstate was suddenly in a traffic jam inching along.  We thought there must be an accident and were waiting to see what happened.  When we approached the many flashing police cars, we were detoured off the side of the road into a shady looking dirt parking lot near Khayelitsha (another township) where we saw many people in hand cuffs and getting pulled out of their cars.  My heart raced and we all wondered what was going on.  I was asked for my identification which was in the boot (trunk) and so I had to get out and retrieve it.   I was nervous with all these thoughts of “Do I need a S.A. drivers license?  My name isn’t going to match the vehicle.  I don’t know where the registration is...”  Awful, negative thoughts ran through my mind.  As I nervously gave him my passport and ID I saw more people getting hand-cuffed and some arguing.  I was told to move up ahead and then thoughts of getting thrown into a South African jail came to my mind.   Who would I call?  Would I even get a free call?  Would there be one big cell with scary men in it?  Then I thought of that movie where those girls coming home from Thailand are thrown into jail and can’t get out.   We all were whispering “what is going on?” and then the police officer was stopping our vehicle and telling me to blow into this gadget. I had never actually scene a breathalyzer before... this was my first time.  I said “OK.” and nervously blew.   I think my heart missed a few beats.  He looked at me, waved his hand and said “Now Go.”  I exhaled a huge sigh of relief and we moved on.  The sight of all those people being hand cuffed was scary.  I sure do hope all the tourists coming to South Africa have DD’s during their many scenic visits to the wineries.  

The next day I drove the ladies to the airport and was actual very sad that they were leaving.  They brought me a familiarity to home and I felt a sense of security and ease with them.   All of their stomachs were in knots and they were quiet as I approached the unloading zone.  I realized then how sick to my stomach I will be when I have to leave this country.  They were only here for 3 weeks and they were so very sad.  I was sad just driving up to the airport having my new friends leave.   I am sure it will be very sad when February approaches.   Bitter sweet.   

After our good-byes and promises to keep in touch, I departed and decided that it was time to finally visit one of the local beaches.  It was a very nice day.  Warm with a slight breeze.  It is spring time now in S.A. and the weather is warming up.  I figured there might be a couple people there.  I was planning to take a nice leisurely walk, have a conversation with God (thanking him once again for protecting me from jail) and do some people watching.  To my amazement the beaches were packed!   I can’t even imagine what December (their summer Holiday month) will look like.   Everyone was swimming, surfing, kite-surfing or having picnics and family time.    Ohhh and ladies... not sure what is up with this and hope it is not coming to America - but some South Africans are styling Mohawks and MULLETS these days.  I don’t understand.  I was laughing.  Apparently it is only the younger High-school to College age kids.   These boys are all beefed up, very stocky and muscular with no necks looking like complete Meat Heads who are wearing these styles.  Maybe it’s just a Rugby thing?  If that’s the case then Matt Damon did a poor job beefing up for his Invictus role.  Anyway,  I will try to take some secret pictures for you.   It will crack you up. Thank goodness for zoom lenses.

The wonderful thing about being on the beach that afternoon was watching all the children.  No matter what color, shape, size or income level all children are the same.  They race out screaming to the water with such excitement and laugh hysterically with intense happiness when the water chases them back in.   They all love to build sand castles, dig with shovels, fill buckets with water and chase each other around.  It was beautiful to see so many skin shades playing together and having no judgement or issues with each other.  Children all act the same and don’t realize what they have or don’t have.  They are all so pure at that age.   It is sad how age changes us all.  At the beach everyone is equal.  Everyone is friendly and in a good mood.  Everyone loves the sound of the ice-cream guy.

I continued to watch and write some letters and then realized I was burnt.  I need to purchase some SPF quickly.  The sun is very strong here.   The next day I was invited by some new local friends to join a group of them heading to Hermanus to go whale watching.  Hermanus is famous for it’s rocky shore-line and many whales who hang in the bay between June-November. I believe they have their babies there before heading back.  (To where, I don’t know.) The weather was extremely windy and it was sprinkling on and off, but we had a wonderful time and were able to see some nice whales breach close to the shoreline.   I enjoyed the day very much and smiled learning many new Afrikaans words and cultural differences.  I made some new girlfriends who have planned out some “Girls Day” activities that “I must do before I leave.”  Thank goodness I have many more weekends left in attempt to accomplish this ever growing list.  And like true South African culture, when I thanked them for the lovely day their response was.... “Pleasure.” 

What a nice word that is.  I think I will be adding that to my vocabulary.