See the beauty in the world

Yesterday was my last plant day, a truly amazing, yet bittersweet experience. It was an afternoon plant day at a school in the township Khayelitsha, which is the largest and fastest growing township in SA. In Xhosa, the name means “new home.” Planting in the townships is always a great experience and getting to interact with people I would never have had the chance to meet before, and planting trees definitely brings everyone together. We planted 36 trees at the school, with a group of American tourists called Ripples of Hope, who were all super excited and eager to join. There were also about 20 children from the school who helped as well, and the kids are truly one of the best parts of the plant day. They are always so cute, funny, energetic and definitely make the day that much more enjoyable.

Loading up the bakkie and ready for the last plant day!

Since the plant day was in the afternoon, we had lunch at the nursery after we backed up the bakkie. It was delicious! All home grown veggies from the garden, and pap (pup) a traditional starch in South Africa (looks like mash potatoes). Definitely have been inspired to start gardening and growing my own veggies (or in our backyard mother! -as you already have started) It definitely teaches you the value of growing your own food, rather than going to a supermarket and just buying whatever they have. You also learn to eat seasonally and locally, which is much more sustainable. Wohoo!

Everyone gathering together on a beautiful afternoon

One of our trees planted, we named it Hope.

The plant day started out with rain as we were setting up, but like almost all of the others, the sun was shining by the end, and everyone’s spirits were really high. After the planting was finished, we gathered with the tourist group for tea and biscuits and it was awesome to hear such positive feedback about the day. There was live music by a few people of the group, and it was a great way to leave the experience. Definitely after a long day of planting I deserve a beer! Tonight I had Roman Red by Triggerfish Brewing, which was SO good, (since it was an American style ale, it had more hops :) Deeelishhh.

The school!

The kids made a 'Get Well soon' for Nelson Mandela!

Nom nom, so gooooood

Speaking of beer, I just confirmed my volunteering slots for the Oregon Brewers Fest! This girl’s going to be helping serve beer and hand out tokens in exchange for a t shirt, mug and tokens! So stoked to be getting into beer festival mode, and helping out of course. So be nice to me and I’ll pour you a good portion of beer in your cup! 

We also have some new Scalabrini people, two Americans who are older, probably later 40s, who are really nice and cool to talk to. They say, “I drink good coffee, good beer and eat good food, I must be from Oregon!” They’re on a traveling expedition around South Africa, and are only in Cape Town a few days, but are continuing their adventure North. They work in Antarctica, and are doing a kind of ‘work on a farm, make some money and then travel,’ which is awesome! It was great talking to them about travel and Cape Town, and more and more I’m realizing the more you travel, the more you want to keep traveling, and no matter what age, there is a way to travel; find work abroad, volunteer, or just work really hard for a few years, travel for months and then come back? Who knows! But either way I know, this is definitely not my last adventure, as this little taste of Cape Town has made me fall in love with this city and the thrilling experience of the unexpected. I definitely have wanderlust, and I love it.

You can say planting trees is a dirty business 

I finally got to stream video in Scalabrini last night, and watched a gag reel of Parks and Rec on Youtube. Literally died laughing with my headphones on, such a good break and little taste of home. The show is absolutely awesome, and the gag reel is even better. So look it up.

Today we had an AMAZINGLY delicious brunch of goodies for a ‘goodbye interns’ morning, as the staff is leaving for Zambia this afternoon! I have one week left, but am saying more goodbyes today, which is never easy, but I know it is definitely not a goodbye, but see you later, (or as the locals say, see you just now- confusing I know, I still haven’t really picked up on this one). I’m on a sugar high slash food coma, but must get back to work. Til next time! 

This post’s quote reminds me of my two weekends in Platbos Forest, the stars were literally one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen; the sky was unbelievable. Definitely just standing there and taking it all in, you realize there is beauty all around you.

Sunset as we are leaving

The townships at sunset

“If people sat outside and looked at the stars each night, I bet they would live a lot differently.”