Well, I'm home from Africa now, and I still have blogging to catch up on! TERRIBLE of me, I know!!
I'm going to do two more posts on this blog page. The first one, this one, will be just a summary of everything I did my last week in Africa. The very last one will be an overview of everything I gained from the trip and how much it meant to me. I need a few days to let all of this soak in before I can start writing about that. Give me a little bit.
SO...where did we leave off???!!!
I'm going to do two more posts on this blog page. The first one, this one, will be just a summary of everything I did my last week in Africa. The very last one will be an overview of everything I gained from the trip and how much it meant to me. I need a few days to let all of this soak in before I can start writing about that. Give me a little bit.
SO...where did we leave off???!!!
High Tea at the Mount Nelson Hotel. An amazing experience! The most perfect end to the most perfect weekend that I could ever imagine. It was by far the classiest experience of my life...and I loved it!!! I tried to take pictures, but it was so fancy that I felt American by whipping out my camera.
Afternoon Tea at the Mount Nelson Hotel is a very famous and exquisite experience, and I feel really lucky to have gotten to go! We all felt a little bit out of place because we didn't expect it to be that fancy. It was gorgeous. Everything from the weather, to the architecture, to the intricate display of teas and desserts. We had champagne and a blend of Asian and African loose leaf teas. We helped ourselves to a huge table of desserts, but they also brought out finger sandwiches to our table. I especially loved the macaroons and the strawberries. It was divine. The cutest thing I saw was a little girl's birthday party...A DREAM!!! Amazing! An absolutely perfect afternoon with great food, great drinks, and great people! I love tea :)
Then we grabbed a bottle of wine and watched the sunset on the beach in front of our apartment. I took a little walk and brought my camera out there. It was incredibly peaceful and beautiful. Still on a high from it.
Thennnn we headed over to Camps Bay, my favorite part of Cape Town! The most beautiful beach you could ever imagine. Sunday nights are a popular nightlife thing here, so we went to this restaurant slash bar called Cafe Caprice for dinner and stayed there for a good while into the night. I met so many people from all over the world, and everyone agrees that Cape Town is just one of the best places on Earth. It is highly underrated. Kind of like the planet's best kept secret.
Monday we went to Camps Bay for the day, just a few of us. We had a relaxing lunch, did a little shopping, and watched the sunset on the beach. Then we went to our favorite restaurant, Belthazar, for dinner. There was a big group of us, at least 50 of us, there to say goodbye to one of our good friends, Zach. He had to leave early because he was in a wedding. Best meal ever. We got to sit outside in the candlelight and that was really pretty.
Tuesday we went to Charly's Bakery which is Oprah's favorite bakery in the world! It is very gaudy and decorated. I got some great cheesecake, a cupcake, all kinds of yummy treats. It was quite an experience. Their slogan is "Mucking Afazing."
In class, we had a presentation from a local foundation called Reading Rebels. It is an organization that takes misbehaved students in the schools and the community and offers them $20 to read a book and report back after reading the book. If they choose, they can read one book per month. They need this money, so they agree to reading the book, and then they realize that each book has a message about respect, hard work, kindness, integrity, etc. The students become better people, and now a lot of them volunteer for the organization! They came in to share their stories about how the program changed their lives. It was very cool.
We also talked about taking what we've learned in our service class and our service in Sir Lowry's Pass and other townships and applying it at home in our local communities. We had a discussion about CHOOSING to start. Giving time and energy rather than just money. Doing for one what you wish you could do for everyone. Going long-term, rather than short-term. The list goes on, but I've gained an incredible insight into ways that I can help local communities in the United States with my new understanding and appreciation of the importance and impact of service.
That night we went to karaoke at a place in Camps Bay called Dizzy's. Let's just say I got dizzy at Dizzy's.
Afternoon Tea at the Mount Nelson Hotel is a very famous and exquisite experience, and I feel really lucky to have gotten to go! We all felt a little bit out of place because we didn't expect it to be that fancy. It was gorgeous. Everything from the weather, to the architecture, to the intricate display of teas and desserts. We had champagne and a blend of Asian and African loose leaf teas. We helped ourselves to a huge table of desserts, but they also brought out finger sandwiches to our table. I especially loved the macaroons and the strawberries. It was divine. The cutest thing I saw was a little girl's birthday party...A DREAM!!! Amazing! An absolutely perfect afternoon with great food, great drinks, and great people! I love tea :)
Then we grabbed a bottle of wine and watched the sunset on the beach in front of our apartment. I took a little walk and brought my camera out there. It was incredibly peaceful and beautiful. Still on a high from it.
Thennnn we headed over to Camps Bay, my favorite part of Cape Town! The most beautiful beach you could ever imagine. Sunday nights are a popular nightlife thing here, so we went to this restaurant slash bar called Cafe Caprice for dinner and stayed there for a good while into the night. I met so many people from all over the world, and everyone agrees that Cape Town is just one of the best places on Earth. It is highly underrated. Kind of like the planet's best kept secret.
Monday we went to Camps Bay for the day, just a few of us. We had a relaxing lunch, did a little shopping, and watched the sunset on the beach. Then we went to our favorite restaurant, Belthazar, for dinner. There was a big group of us, at least 50 of us, there to say goodbye to one of our good friends, Zach. He had to leave early because he was in a wedding. Best meal ever. We got to sit outside in the candlelight and that was really pretty.
Tuesday we went to Charly's Bakery which is Oprah's favorite bakery in the world! It is very gaudy and decorated. I got some great cheesecake, a cupcake, all kinds of yummy treats. It was quite an experience. Their slogan is "Mucking Afazing."
In class, we had a presentation from a local foundation called Reading Rebels. It is an organization that takes misbehaved students in the schools and the community and offers them $20 to read a book and report back after reading the book. If they choose, they can read one book per month. They need this money, so they agree to reading the book, and then they realize that each book has a message about respect, hard work, kindness, integrity, etc. The students become better people, and now a lot of them volunteer for the organization! They came in to share their stories about how the program changed their lives. It was very cool.
We also talked about taking what we've learned in our service class and our service in Sir Lowry's Pass and other townships and applying it at home in our local communities. We had a discussion about CHOOSING to start. Giving time and energy rather than just money. Doing for one what you wish you could do for everyone. Going long-term, rather than short-term. The list goes on, but I've gained an incredible insight into ways that I can help local communities in the United States with my new understanding and appreciation of the importance and impact of service.
That night we went to karaoke at a place in Camps Bay called Dizzy's. Let's just say I got dizzy at Dizzy's.
Wednesday in class, we watched a video that I'm going to post here...take from it what you will.
The next noteworthy day was Thursday. It was our final celebration in the township. We put on a talent show for the kids, which they loved! I got the contact information from the families, and I am so excited to connect with them across the world and show them how much I still care about them even from far away. One of the daughters of my house mom, Portia, is expecting twin baby boys in October. I really want to send her a baby gift :) She showed me such kindness and compassion, and this is going to be her third and fourth ... and she's only 23. She needs my support.
Friday we went to brunch at this DELICIOUS place called Arnold's. I already miss gathering up a big group of us to come together to eat. Good food, good people, so fun. :( Then we went on a champagne sunset cruise that night! It was beautiful weather, and it was a really nice way to end the trip with the whole group.
Saturday was our last day in Cape Town...and I spent it SKYDIVING!!! By far the coolest experience of my entire life. It didn't feel like I was falling, it felt like I was flying. It was much more enjoyable for me than bungee jumping...haha.
Friday we went to brunch at this DELICIOUS place called Arnold's. I already miss gathering up a big group of us to come together to eat. Good food, good people, so fun. :( Then we went on a champagne sunset cruise that night! It was beautiful weather, and it was a really nice way to end the trip with the whole group.
Saturday was our last day in Cape Town...and I spent it SKYDIVING!!! By far the coolest experience of my entire life. It didn't feel like I was falling, it felt like I was flying. It was much more enjoyable for me than bungee jumping...haha.
We had a really nice goodbye dinner in the hotel, and the whole time I just kept thinking to myself how quickly this whole thing went by :( On Sunday morning we packed up and left...and I made it back on Monday, safe and sound, luggage too. Final thoughts will be in their own separate blog post in the next few days...when I'm finished grieving. Missing Global LEAD so much.
Don't Just Go...LEAD <3
xoxo,
Anna
Don't Just Go...LEAD <3
xoxo,
Anna
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