Day 9 - Church and Body World

   An African church. It's what I've missed dearly and what I've been waiting to go back to for two years.  Although this was the first time I attended a Coloured African church, it was still similar enough to what I know - voices were raised and hips were swaying and the older ladies were up front dancing their heart's out. It was beautiful to see this sight! Worship songs were sung for an hour and then the pastor came up front to give the message. Most of it was in English, but when he really started to get into what he was saying he would switch over to Afrikaans. It's nice to know what is being said, but it made me happy when they sang and taught in their heart language. It makes me wish I was fluent in, or very familiar with, an African language.

   That evening we went to the Body World exhibit! It was so fascinating to see the muscles and everything of a real human being, especially since I just learned them.

Day 8 - Memorials, Universities and Gardens

   Today we ventured to Devil's Peak to visit Rhodes Memorial, which is dedicated to Cecil Rhodes, a South African politician in 1890's. We visited his grave in Zimbabwe years ago and were able to visit his memorial in Cape Town. It had a beautiful view from its look out point.

 The View

The Memorial

 

    Leaving Rhodes Memorial, we drove down the mountain onto Cape Town University campus to get a glimpse of it. The campus was gorgeous and historical looking.

 





   Our final destination was Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, which covered over 1,300 acres of plants, trees and dozens of trails. It was a gorgeous day for an outside outing!
During our walk around of the garden, we came across a path that had many steps. From the signs, the path we were on was Skeleton Gorge. When we looked further ahead we saw that it only continued uphill. We were not prepared for a hike uphill (with no water and not having the correct shoes on) so we turned around and took a different path. Before we left we came across a map and saw that if we had continued up the steps it led up the mountain. It was probably a good idea we had turned around this time, although I would LOVE to try it again sometime!

Mountains, everwhere.

Day 7 - Signal Hill, Camps Bay & Waterfront

   Our intentions to go up Table Mountain were good, but there was a change of plans when we saw the queue of tourist who had the same idea. We decided to drive over to Signal hill and hike an hour over to the mosque up on the hill and back. It was a beautiful, cooler day and the sun with the combination of the wind felt amazing! The view was amazing and photos cannot even justify God's wonderful landscape! When we reached the small mosque we took off our shoes and went inside. We prayed that God would reveal Himself to the people who come and pray.

The view from our picnic in the car

Headed out for a hike

Panarama view from Signal Hill path

The view from the roof of an old caretaker house

The rocky path

Our shoes sitting outside of the mosque

A prayer rug and incense

Chacos - also known as the most amazing hiking shoes ever!



   While we were on this side of the mountain, we drove to Camps Bay Beach and walked along the beach for a short time as well as walk along the vendor booths. The Atlantic Ocean was freezing to our feet, but it felt refreshing. We then drove to Waterfront to see the African Craft shoppes and see the harbour.

The stadium were 2010 World Cup was played

The man built of Coke crates

Day 6 - Luke's Departure & Canal Walk

   This morning we took Luke to the airport to catch his flight to Johannesburg so he would be able to attend MK camp! It was his first time flying by himself and he was excited to do so. Once we said our farewells to him, we left the airport and made our way to Canal Walk!

Luke getting ready to go through security



   We drove to Canal Walk and did a little shopping and maneuvered our way around all of the thousands of people there. While we were there we ate King Pie!! I ordered my favourite: Spinach and Feta!!! I have been waiting for that moment for two years and the pie was amazing!
   Later in the evening we ate dinner and afterwards I found a recipe on Pinterest. I sliced two Granny Smith apples up, mixed 2 T of brown sugar and 1 tsp of cinnamon and sprinkled it on top and placed them in the oven at 350 F for 20 minutes. They were such a delicious and healthy treat!

  

Day 5 - Ratanga Junction

  Luke had the brilliant idea of spending the day at Cape Town's amusement park: Ratanga Junction! We had a blast running around the park, standing in line, riding roller coasters and water rides! It was the perfect day too, with it being 96F. I had so much fun spending time with my younger brother!

 



   I have seen some of the most beautiful land in Africa in the last 6 days and I cannot wait to see even more! I cannot get over how God's beauty is displayed with every glance out the window that I take. I love it and I've missed it so much!

Table Mountain (this is from the street, but it can be seen from my mother's kitchen window)

Day 4 - Happy Birthday Jesus

   Christmas morning we woke up early, grabbed a quick breakfast and made our way to Pinelands Baptist Church for their Christmas day service. It was an awesome service with a great sermon and beautiful voices filling the air as we sang Christmas carols remember that Jesus was born on this day and it is His day! All the surroundings, the friendly greetings, smiling faces and the opportunity to attend church barefoot made me appreciate being in one of the many different African churches. I hadn't realised how much I had missed it. 

Barefoot at church

Worshiping with Christmas carols

Pinelands Baptist Church

    We prepared our Christmas lunch which consisted of: Chicken casserole, cole slaw, green bean casserole and sourdough bread. We ate it with delight and took an afternoon nap. We then loaded up in the car and headed to the cinema to watch 'The Hobbit' which was very well made. Of course once we got home it was late enough here to be after noon in the states so we could skype with family.

In the cinema waiting for the movie

 

It was a long day, but it was a better Christmas for me this year than last year.

 

Day 3 - Christmas Eve

   This morning we started out the day, with our family's yearly tradition on Christmas Eve, by making Monkey Bread for breakfast! It was delicious and it brought back great childhood memories.

   Later in the afternoon we ventured over to Aunt Bonnie's for a braai (which is a Southern African Barbecue) with family away from family. It was a wonderful time filled with games, snacks, laughter, food and enjoying each other's company. Our meal consisted of chicken, beef or ostrich, cole slaw, baked potato and of course dessert!

Dad and Uncle Bruce - the braai masters

chicken, beef, ostrich

family

 

   With an afternoon nap intact into the day, the family and I were refreshed enough to start our tradition in making sugar cookies! It was fun spending this time and continuing traditions with my family this year!

 

Day 2 - Shopping and Sight Seeing

   After going to bed late Saturday night, Luke and I decided to go ahead and wake up early in the morning to walk his dog, Peanut, and have a small tour of the neighborhood. It was not quite 7am and already the temperature was rising. It was so awesome to be with my younger brother again and see how well adjusted he is and how much he loves being in Cape Town! It makes me jealous, but I'm so happy he gets this experience!

   Mma and I headed into town to do some shopping at the Cavendish Mall. We enjoyed some wonderful mother-daughter time and had fun going into all of the shops and eating Subway for lunch!

Mini buses (public transportation)

 

Some small stands outside of the mall

Inside the 4 level mall

Mother-daughter time

No 'Christmas' signs, only 'Merry'

A day of shopping

 



   Once we got back home we rested, watched a Christmas movie and then the four of us went out for a walk to the Dog Park. It was a great day! And to end it we made chocolate chip cookies!

Luke and Peanut outside

 

 Heading out on a family walk

 

Walking through the dog park

 

Family walk

 

Does and Don'ts of the park

 

FH = Fire Hydrant (underground)

 

Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies