UW in South Africa. September 10, 2017

Happy Sunday –

Molweni

So today was the leisure day… needed it.

Went for a wonderful brunch at Harvey’s at the Winchester Mansion (an upscale boutique hotel) in Seapoint facing the water. A much needed bloody Mary to start it off on the patio facing the waterfront and then a brunch that included everything from sushi to roast lamb – and with everything else in between: pastries, salads, made to order omelets, champagne, etc. – with a small jazz band playing the entire time. Relaxing and perfect weather. I took one of the grad students who thoroughly enjoyed it.

Then picked up the birthday cake which weighed about 15 pounds – I kid you not.. Marzipan must be heavy. Cake to feed 15 people//and it was high.. about 9” tall…  Grad student and I carried it for the one mile walk back to the house; actually grad student did most of the carrying. The woman at the bakery was very excited to learn that we were Americans. She proclaimed immediately “I’m obsessed with everything American. I love Americans and I’m obsessed.” When asked why, she said “I love your accents and your English is so clear,” which she stated with a definite European/British sounding English. Perhaps we should send some folks to that bakery with deep Southern drawl.

Then I worked at the house until we met an American for dinner.. she’s here on a Fulbright dealing with assorted public health issues, including child labor. Went to a good Indian restaurant. Great food, but portions were too huge. We had samosas, lamb vindaloo, Paneer, and a chick pea dish.. raita, nan, and great curries.

We then headed to the hostel for the surprise birthday with the cake and some bubbly wine. Student was more than surprised and the group seemed to have a good time telling their stories of the adventures this weekend (they were really on their own for two days, which turned out to be great and very empowering).

Several climbed Table Mountain (one turned back; one took the cable car); some just hiked around town; some went to the waterfront; some shopped some shopped. Anyway they were all filled with stories and experiences and seem ready to tackle tomorrow when they return to the township.

By the way some people ask us about the hurricane. They know very little about hurricanes, saying that they don’t get any here. They also say they don’t get tornadoes, so they are curious about these phenomena.  Mmmm maybe moving here is the solution.

Tomorrow’s another day… another busy, intense, hectic day.

Hope all is going well

Fern