Globetrotting: South Africa: friends

Happy late Thanksgiving everyone! I have now officially hosted my own Thanksgiving feast, and can’t wait to do it again. Honestly, it was much less stressful than I expected…and maybe the most relaxed Thanksgiving I’ve ever had! Alan picked up two 7 pound turkeys for our main course, and I got to work figuring out all of the sides. Our entire menu was comprised of: 2 turkeys, my grandma’s rice stuffing, green bean casserole, sour cream mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potato biscuits, a cheese and fruit platter, two pumpkin pies (libby’s! Thanks mom J!!) with homemade cream cheese crust and an apple pie with a big KL on it for Kite Lab to celebrate Alan’s success. I spent most of Wednesday in the kitchen as well as all of Thursday, but it was well worth it. Thanksgiving was spent with two of Alan’s instructors from the UK, Paul and Gabby, and friends Jeanne and Jacques. Despite being only 6 people total, we managed to devour almost everything on the table (but luckily still have one pumpkin pie left). It was everyone’s first Thanksgiving, except Jacques, and no one had ever had pumpkin pie before –they all loved it :].

My birds!

The Turkey Day Crew

Alan with the Kite Lab Pie

Besides stuffing myself with Thanksgiving dinner, I’ve spent the last week working at Alan’s shop, Kite Lab, which he’s establishing as his own brand. The shop specializes in kite and surf gear as well as kite surfing lessons. Langebaan is one of the top places for kiting in South Africa because of its strong summer winds from the Southeaster and the lagoon waters. Besides helping out with logistical shop work, I’ve also been the KL photographer. My job basically consists of me photographing people during their lessons, as well as other kiters out in the water, and then telling them to head back to the shop to check out the photos. It’s all a publicity scheme, and it’s working J. I sold my first cd today, so I’m even more motivated to keep going! Although, after seeing Alan kite surf today, I’m not sure how entertained I’m going to be if I keep photographing beginners during their lessons…

Kite Lab

Also just had my second lesson yesterday and, once again, it was SO much fun!! I got on the board for a bit, but didn't get too far...Unfortunately we had to call it a day because of the high tide and the setting sun, but til next time!

Just had one of the best weekends yet in South Africa. As of last Monday, I didn't think that I would be going to the 3 day music festival, Rocking the Daisies, but my luck changed. Although tickets were only about $70, I wanted to save it for something else during my stay; instead of paying for my ticket, I ended up going for free :). How did this happen? I walked 60k to the festival! One hundred of us were selected to join the eco friendly march, Walking the Daisies. The walk began four years ago when two friends decided to promote environmental awareness and it has continued to grow every year.

Our walk began 20 minutes outside of Cape Town in Blouberg, right along the coast. It was a beautiful Thursday morning, perfect weather for walking. We were split into different color groups, given snacks and then it was time to hit the road! Besides the green initiative, Walking the Daisies is also for charity. Instead of paying for a festival ticket, each walker donates 150R to Bob's for Good, an organization that in turn donates a pair of shoes to children who have to walk several km just to get to school each day. To begin our walk, all of us took off our shoes and walked bare foot along the sandy shores. Most of the day was spent walking on the sand, which began as a very relaxing event, but soon turned into a wearisome affair. Around 5 pm, we made it to Silverstraand, a beach campsite 25km away from Blouberg.

The second day we climbed inland and up to the top of the hills surrounding Darling (the location of Rocking the Daisies). The view was incredible from the top, and we could look down upon the festival, the ultimate reward for 60k of walking and too many blisters on my feet. The blisters are another story all together...to keep it simple, my team leader used a military treatment that causes your nerve endings to die...easily one of the most painful experiences I've ever had. After that though, it was time for some good food and music!

Looking down at Rocking the Daisies!

Singing our song, "Walking to the Daisies"

That Friday, Saturday and Sunday were some of the most fun days I've had here. Almost all of the musicians were South African, except for the headliner Band of Skulls, and they were all great. Rocking the Daisies is a bit different than US music festivals because there are several different stages that have everything ranging from the typical bands, to acrobatics and African dance. It was perfectly sunny all weekend, but the heat became unbearable during midday. Luckily, there was a dam on the wine estate where everyone was swimming and lounging about on floats. There was so much going on during the festival that it was difficult to figure out which stages to go to. No matter where I was though, it was always a good time :). Sunday morning South Africa played Australia in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal, so RtD set up the main stage with a live broadcast of the match on the giant screen. Although everyone probably got less than 4 hours of sleep, it was PACKED. It was a disappointing loss for South Africa, but it was still fun to be surrounded by so much energy. I caught a ride home from some friends around 1, and came back coated in dust and exhausted but happy. All of my Cape Town adventures seem to compete with one another for the top place holder and there is still much to do! I'm not sure if I'm going to come back...