The Beverly Hillbillies Hit The Waterfront

As soon as we got home from our placements today, we packed, called a cab, and headed for the waterfront and another night at the V & A Waterfront Hotel. We arrived at the hotel and were told that we had been upgraded. We thought perhaps to a suite in the hotel. A suite it is, but not at the V & A Waterfront. We are at the Dock House, the V & A's boutique hotel on the waterfront. We have a little balcony that looks out on the waterfront. There is a stairway from our door to our bedroom and bath area. Our bedroom at homebase 2 could easily fit into our bathroom here with room to spare. We are not exactly dressed for the part and I guess we sounded sort of country bumpkinish as we discovered what is included with our room. We don't know why we got the upgrade, but we won't complain about it. By the way, if any of you ever come to Cape Town, the V & A Waterfront Hotel is absolutely first rate and we recommend it without reservation.
Yesterday was an amazing day at Etafeni. The unemployed young adults with whom I work put on a cultural display that is definitely one of the hightlights of my trip. The women came in traditional South African Xhosi attire which was very colorful. Two of the men also participated. All painted their faces in the traditional Xhosi markings. We were not sure if the day would even happen because it was supposed to happen last week but was postponed until this week. Deborah, the program director, was not even sure if the young adults had prepared anys sort of a program. Shortly after 10:00 they showed up and began rehearsing and I was blown away by what I heard and saw. One person, in this case a woman, would start singing and the rest joined in and before you knew it, they were singing a song in the Xhosi language in perfect harmony. I have no idea what the words were, but it did not matter. Their songs had a haunting beauty and rhythm that was captivating. They danced and it seemed that the dance came from within them and carried them away. Mind, this was only the rehearsal. Around 11:00 their performance started. The audience consisted of some of the staff, the young kids who come to Etafeni while the schools are closed for winter break, and myself and two other CCS volunteers, Jen and Aly. As I watched these unemployed young men and women perform I could not help smiling and being filled with joy. The Etafeni Day Care Center and the Fit 4 Life program are one of many Non Goverment Organizations (NGOs) that hold out a promise for a better way of life for South Africa.
Today, a new group of young adults started their orientation in Fit 4 Life. I had thought that I would be with the "old" group for another week, but they begin computer training next week. I will however work with them a couple of days next week because we did not have the chance to practice interview skills with them. I have grown very close to those who have been faithful about coming and will miss them. Deborah does amazing work with them and believes in empowering them so that they can be productive workers who treat any and every job they will have in the future as a chance to serve others. She does not believe in allowing them to play the victim. As she tells them, Apartheid is over and we are the agents of change. Deborah is very Christ centered and makes not bones about where her beliefs and values are grounded.
Before closing, a few random observations about Cape Town. No turns right or left against a red light. A Stop sign is a suggestion unless on a main thoroughfare. Bell peppers of all colors seem to be a regular ingredient in dishes. Pedestrians do not have the right of way. Cars beep but rarely slow down for pedestrians. Dogs are neither spayed nor neutered. Lots of what appear to be strays in the townships. Life in townships is hard but there is great hope for improvement in the future.
Have a happy 4th everyone and will blog you later.
Art