Sarah Luke's Weblog

I spent last weekend in Cape Town visiting my friend, Stan. I arrived on thursday evening, and we started off by heading to a night club featuring a live band. The music was amazing... Stan had never been there before, and we went to spent time with some of his friends. They had no idea the band would be there either. It was incredible.

That friday, Stan went to work and I headed out to explore the city. I visited the National Gallery, the Grand Parade, the Company's Gardens... and attempted to find the Bo Kaap Museum, but to no avail. ;) That evening, we went to a nice restaurant in town: Five Flies. Stan introduced me to "Fat Bastard Shiraz..." Ha ha! Fat Bastard... gets me every time... Thereafter we headed out, and I found that South Africans are obsessed with house music... an obsession I have yet to understand. It was fun, nonetheless.

Saturday included a visit to the botanical gardens at Kirstenbosh where we "saw heaven" in a place called skeleton gorge. Actually, we chose the trail less traveled, and encountered an elderly couple who assured us that "if you continue, you'll find heaven." The whole time, I kept asking Stan if we were in heaven yet... I'm still not sure...? :) We went to the medicinal plants garden and I ate all the plants, after which Stan read me the sign saying that some of them are poisonous... um... I feel ok so far ;) (knock on wood)...

That afternoon we went to Rhodes memorial and sat on a stoney bench overlooking the city. I think we were supposed to be remembering Rhodes or something?? But really we were just watching the giant red locusts and the wierd bending trees. It was fun...We assembled a picnic that evening and went to signal hill to watch the sun set over the ocean. Apparently this is a Capetownian tradition... and one worth keeping. The view was amazing and we had a great time! :)

That evening, we got together with one of Stan's friends and had an informal wine tasting. They assure me that there is more to red wine then it's medicinal qualities... I'm not sure I'm totally convinced... although it does make kareoke a bit more interesting :) I left Capetown on Sunday, after finding a table at a great breakfast spot that was packed...

Leaving Cape Town was happy and sad. I had a great weekend with one of my best South African friends... I was so happy to have spent time, but it is sad to think that I might not see him again.

I feel like I want to keep my feet in both places: one in South Africa and the other in the US.

Tomorrow I'm heading to a school with my supervisor, Themba, for an HRC presentation. We are presenting to learners teaching them to protect themselves against sexual abuse by educators. It's sad that such a presentation is neccessary, but I'm glad that perhaps it will prevent children from getting hurt. The learners we are presenting to are young: 6 or 7 years old. I wonder if they'll know English... or maybe I'll be practicing my Zulu :) I'm really excited. The kids here are super cute :)

I leave for Botswana on Thursday morning. Emily and I are heading to Chobe national park, and from there visiting Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe as well as a Namibian village. It will be interesting to catch a glimpse of some of the other countries in southern Africa.

Not sure when I'll have a chance to blog again. I'm very excited because I'm nearly done with the draft of my research paper!! :) Each day I get a little closer to graduation... :)

Time for bed now... have to get up early to head to the school...

Cheers!