May and June

Clearly this past 6 weeks have been very full...so much so that I have not made space in my schedule to write on my blog. Even though I am 2 days away from being back in Canada and many of you will see me in person soon, I have decided to record a few more of my memories, and thus also share them with those of you who won't be seeing me too soon.

So, after travelling on the local taxis an hour each way for the first week or so of my volunteer work at the University of the Western Cape, I looked into renting a car for an extended period of time to increase my freedom of movement. I found a great little green citi golf (aka cheap little VW) and rented it for a month (May 15-June 15).

On day two of the rental, Valeriane and I drove out to Durbanville (30 mins from where we lived) to meet Rian (a friend from my grief and loss workshop) and 6 of his friends to do a little wine touring in Stellenbosch(an hour outside of CT). Rian drove us around to 4 different places, all very different in feel, in his VW combi. The wine was great...not that I have the language to explain what it tasted like...yet, I did learn some of the wine tasting etiquette which has since proved to come in handy. We finished the tour off with a stop at an orchard which rocked my world with the yummy homemade jam, cream and fresh scones! After a fabulous afternoon touring wine country Valeriane and I returned to Rhondebosch and then I headed out to have dinner with my new buddy Wiepke from Germany.

After a fabulous healthy beetroot and feta salad at the Olympia cafe in Kalk Bay, I headed back home. This is where things got complicated...At precisely 10:47pm that Saturday night, I got rear-ended at such a high speed that the trunk of the citigolf was completely crunched in on one corner. My drivers seat broke and the car span around several times and was deemed unrepairable as the frame had been warped on impact. The police were called but did not show up before the cars had been towed away. Apparently this was a good thing because the guy who hit me was drunk and if he had been breathalized his insurance wouldn't have covered my totalled car. I was very fortunate as I got out of the car with only a couple of sprained ligaments on my spine and a big bruise on my right elbow/forearm. I thank my little angels who were with me that night. Fortunately, a lovely family stopped to see if we were ok, thus being alone on the side of the road at night was no longer an issue. Also I managed to call my aunt and uncle just before my phone died and they came down and rescued me. Love ya Shirl and Johan!!!!

For the next week in my replacement citigolf, I was super anxious about getting hit again. South Africa apparently has the highest percentage of road accidents in the world....and this is really obvious when you are on the road. After a week or so, my anxiety lessened and I got back into the swing of things driving.

My 6 weeks of work at UWC was really interesting. I was fortunate enough to be part of the management team that developed an innovative readiness and response model to assess the 15 schools that are involved in the 2-year partnership with UWC. I was also given the task of developing rating scales for the model and conceptualizing its implemetation. I also developed a series of interview questions for interviews with several differenet stakeholders at the highschools (principals, HIV coordinators, teachers, students, parents). In the last week of my time at UWC I was able to conduct the first 3 interviews of the project which was awesome. Actually, I was so stoked about the interviews that I started to feel sad that it was over! Just when things get juicy and relationships are being developed my time is coming to an end. One great thing is that the team including UWC staff as well as school staff welcomed me back anytime. One of my huge peices of learning during this trip is that I don't give myself enough credit for the professional and life experience that I have already gained. What I've learned is that I am very competent to do this work. What a relief!!!

On a more touristy note, Valeriane and I took advantage of having the car on weekends and fit in a few fun adventures. We visited Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, Kommetije Beach (where that huge pod of whales beached themselves - we actually drove by the masses of cars on that day - if only I had realized they were there, I'd have stopped to be with them), Lions Head mountain located right near Table Mountain(a fabulous hike and incredible view of the penninsula), Hout Bay (where there is awesome fish and chips...mmmmm), Kirstenbosch gardens (just up from my aunt's place - this garden is HUGE and contains only native species...it also has a whole lot of sandstone scultptures from Zimbabwe) and Hermanus (a seaside town 1 1/2 hours east of Cape Town - unfotunately it rained most of the time. We did get a nice walk in on the long stretch of white sand beach though). In Hermanus Valeriane had her first experience at a backpackers...it was pretty funny - let's just say that she is extremely hygenic and the dreadlocked manager who greeted us at the front desk made her eyes bulge with worry!! In the end she was quite pleasantly surprised. Phew!

I also managed to catch 3 plays throughout my time in CT. The first about 5 sisters that go on a road trip togethe. It was pretty funny. The second and third performances were done by a group that does playback theater. The theme was grief and loss(ironically enough) and the actors listened to a few stories from audience members. They then acted out these stories. It was incredible-real opportunities for healing. This form of acting totally attracts and inspires me!! So much so that I think I'd like to join a group when I get home.

Another very special way I spent my time was with my sweet aunt Shirley, and of course Johan(my uncle), Zizi and Bu(my favorite furry cousins). I found myself arriving at dinnertime on a regular basis (some of you may know this practice of mine more than others - I swear I don't mean to!!!!!)

To finish off a full and fulfilling 2 1/2 months in Cape Town, I decided to take a quick trip up to Durban (we'll really the South East coast) to soak up some sun and surf(the sea is much warmer there). I spent 2 days visiting my G'pa's sister and her husband in Shelly Beach which was nice. Then I was invited for a visit by friends of my aunt and uncle, Ronnie and Margie Nelson, in Southbroom(a community that reminded me of Qualicum (where I grew up) because of its many golf courses. I was spoiled rotten with decadent food and lodgings as well as access to some really beautiful beaches. After 5 days, I flew back to Cape Town and got ready to come north.

I left Cape Town last Thursday June 23rd and have been in Dubai visiting Geoff again for the past few days. Life in Dubai seems to be one big party and I's have to say I am not keeping up as well as I had hoped. Geoff took me to see the indoor ski hill which was the weirdest thing EVER. Tonight we had a BBQ at his friend Colin's place - it was asolutely INCREDIBLE - Colin has an apartment on the 27th floor of a brand new building and there is an outdoor pool on his floor!!! It overlooks this desert city for miles and miles and has the most beautiful sunset view I have experienced EVER!!

So the plan for tomorrow is to see a camel, the beach and maybe go quadding....always a lavish adventure in Dubai!!

I must say I am VERY looking forward to coming home on Monday. I am ready for the familiarity and solid sense of security that Canada holds for me. I always feel so grateful for my privilege of being Canadian after one of these trips.

Well, there's the low down on my adventures over the past 7 weeks. May there be many more opportunities to share my adventures with all of you!!! Thanks so muc h for being interested.

Wendy