Hello from Mossel Bay

Good afternoon everyone

Well its Wednesday afternoon over here and I have just finished my final day with the school. Thursday, Friday and Monday are all public holidays.. (good old Africa!)
Over the last couple of days I have been teaching mostly Sport and English. I have tried to take every class from Grade 5-7 for sport. I teach the boys cricket and help out with netball for the girls. They are so excited when I come to tell them we are playing sport as they dont get to play much during the day, especially cricket. Language is always a barrier but it does force them to speak to me in English if they want to talk. It has been so much fun teaching the boys cricket and playing games with them. Since I was last here Ive noticed that cricket is heaps more popular, the skill level is still a long way below Australia for their age group (due to the fact that they dont get a regular opportunity to play and they havent got great facilities).. I cant believe that Im teaching cricket .. god help South African cricket for the future. They keep telling me they saw me on TV swimming for Australia, I tell them that it isnt me but they dont believe me!! I finished the day off with a game of cricket Grade 5v6, it was a competitive affair and there was a lot of yelling - though Im never sure what they are saying..
I also played netball with the girls but it makes it hard when they havent got a ring so we draw circles on the ground but hey make do with what you have.
This morning I went to the local high school where many of the students who I taught many years ago are schooling. I recognise so many of them and it showed me how long I was away for. The principal of the school organised for all the students who were taught by me to meet in the library where they were so surprised to see me after all these years. They were asking me many questions including the one everyone asks ' Are you married ?'
I took a photo of all of them and wished them the best for the remainder of their studies.
It has been a wonderful experience to come back to the school and Im really sad to leave cause there is so much you can do here. These kids have so much potential and love of life (a bit too much at times) that you just feed off their energy.
Besides teaching I have been catching up with a few people I havent seen since I left and going for walks along the beach.. (if you are ever in SA you must come to Mossel Bay- amazing place)
My two SA brothers are coming home tomorrow so I will get to hang with them for the remainder of my time here. Im going to a traditional Xhosa wedding this weekend, which should be good they apparently slaughter a number of sheep in front of you and then you feast all night..
Anyway, I hope everyone is well.

Post a comment and stay in touch.

Cheers
Troy

Some more pics

Some Pics from Mossel Bay

I will write a post soon.

Hope all is well
Cheers
Troy

Mossel Bay

Hey everyone

Well I have safely made it to Mossel Bay and back to where it all began for me 7 years ago.
Since I last wrote to you a lot has been happening. On Thursday evening I went out for a few drinks with my American friends in Stellenbosch and we met a couple of interesting people. Namely an Afrikaans guy who (apparently was gay according to the girls) and was talking to me in Afrikaans even after I explain that Im from Australia and we just speak English. After Katie said something to him he went off his rocker and yelled when you are in Stellenbosch you speak Afrikaans... it was getting a little out of hand so we decided to leave to find another place.
After waking up with a headache I went into Cape Town for the day and unfortunately for the first time the weather gods werent smiling on me and it bucketed down for the whole day. It meant that I couldnt do the cable car and a few other touristy things that I had planned. I ended up meeting a Dutch bloke and we went on the tourist bus around town, (I know it sounds geeky but it was alright and a lot cheaper than getting taxis around the city)
I then caught a train home (Cape Town train station makes Flinders Street like a quiet country town station it is that busy) I caught first class back to Stellenbosch in a train that was in some dire need of repairs.. but hey it was an experience.
Then on Saturday, I caught the bus to Mossel bay to stay with my host family. I was a little nervous about meeting them as it has been 7 years.. but they havent changed at all.. except they have 2 new cars.. ( they have a business venture going now which is going well) I then was dropped off in the township at a teacher from my school's place and we had a few drinks with his mates during the afternoon. At night we went to a shebeen for some drinks.. very cheap.. I was the only white guy in there and this one guy said he was so happy that finally in South Africa white people were going into the black townships.. I didnt have the heart to tell him I was from Australia. It was a good night but language is always a barrier and very frustrating.. though Im quickly picking up words..
On Sunday I went with my host family to church (common occurence here in Africa) the minister asked me to make a speech as I was a visitor and to do a reading.. they have so much passion for the church and they love to sing. Thankfully, I didnt know the words so I just mimed along and I didnt want to hurt the ambience of the room with my voice!

Today, I had my first day at my old school.. it has changed heaps which is great for the students. The principal (my host father) made a speech about me and then asked me introduce myself to the students. The students who were in Grade 1 at the time recognise me.
I then did 3 classes of English for Grades 4-6. I was impressed that there english has improved overall and they seem to understand me most of the time. Me being there does force them to speak English instead of Xhosa. I played a few games with them as well, but the language is a huge barrier and very frustrating... especially when students talk amongst themselves and you dont know what they are saying.
In the afternoon near the end of the day, I asked students to get up and sing and dance for me. They loved it and most of them got up there and sang !!! Listening to Xhosa rap is an interesting experience with all the clicks...
I am now wrecked, I have forgotten how exhausing it is to teach those kids.. I dont know how they do it all the time..
I hope everyone is well. Keep in touch and write a comment if you like.
Talk soon
Cheers
Troy

Im back

Hello everyone

Sorry to take so long to get back to everyone on what has been happening over here in South Africa. It is now THursday evening over here and Im about to go a friends house for dinner before a few of us go and see a band in town.
Since Friday things have been very hectic but also very relaxing as well. I have forgotten how amazing this place is and how similiar yet all so different it is to Australia.
On Saturday, Louise, Angela and myself went to Spiel for a lunch in the park and then check out the Cheetah park. These cheetahs were very harmless, you could even feed them if you wanted to. After that we caught up with Louise's friends from the school where she is teaching in Stellenbosch. They are a bunch of Americans that are here for a couple of months on exchange. As Louise was going to church that evening, I caught up with the Americans for a pre-match before we try out the local Stellenbosch nightlife. They are all hosted by SA families and the house that I went to beforehand the daughter just came back from playing hockey in the Commonwealth Games for SA. It was strange having a conversation with all these different accents flying around the room. The nightlife was interesting to say the least, it was Easter of course and Stellenbosch is a uni town so many of the students went back home for the holiday break. After a few Castle beers we all ventured to the so called 'nightclub' upstairs and as soon as I go to the bar a couple of blokes started talking in Africaans to me.. I was like what the? As soon as I explained I was from Australia they were then (in some interesting english) telling me how good Gibbs was and how we are sheep shaggers. I tried to explain that they are getting confused with NZ. But they didnt understand and they were pissed and were just having a laugh... It was an interesting night, just think going to a club years ago.. some very interesting fashion and hairdos.. dont think the pink studded shirt went down so well in Africa!! Not sure if they are ready for it.

It was a good night and the Americans know how to have a good time. On Easter Sunday, we had a drive around Stellenbosch during the morning and had a big Easter braai (BBQ) in the afternoon. Very relaxing day. Stellenbosch is about 40 mins from Cape Town and is very picturesque with wineries all around in this happening and vibrant town and a huge university so there are young people everywhere.

On Easter Monday, Louise's family and myself went for a drive around the neighbouring areas. We ended up at Butterfly world for lunch and a look around, there are worlds for all types of animals over here. It was really good and I learnt a thing or two about Butterflys. In the afternoon we went to see where Mandela was last kept in prison and the house where he resided before his release. (I felt quite strange taking photos of a prison from the road- such the tourist) then we went to Franshook (spelling is way off) to visit this great little town and a winery for some tasting... great wine... I had to stop after all those tastings I was getting a little merry. Two can slammer as I am!!

On Tuesday, I strolled around town myself and ended up in the market where they sell you anything and everything.. (on every street corner they are trying to sell you something.. at a good price they will say) At the market I met a bloke from Cameroon and Malawi, there are heaps of non-SA in SA cause there is a higher standard of living and border controls arent the greatest in this country. It was interestign talking to these blokes, about all there girlfriends located around the world and how they are all waiting for them... (think they are dreamin)
In the afternoon I went with the AMerican teachers to Kayamandi which is the black township of Stellenbosch to help out a local church which assists students after class finishes with their studies.. Driving from the 'white' area to the black township is completely different feels like you have changed countries. Wherever there is a strong white community there will be a black township closeby as that is where the workers come from.
ANyway, I havent been to church in a long time so this was a complete culture shock. They have about 70 students who come in after school and are split into grades. Before this we sang songs about the church.. Flashbacks to RE in primary school....
I was given Grade 6 with Katie and we had a fabulous time, the kids are just amazing and very attentive. They are just so keen to learn and expand their maths and english skills to hopefully make it big in this world. There smiles and enthusiasm is second to none and it was a pleasure trying to assist them. (And they loved having their photos taken) IT made me realise how much I missed helping these kids, they have nothing but to them they have the world..

After that we had a huge braai (BBQ) at Louise's where we all stayed around and chatted even touching on some international affairs as we were represented by 3 continents..

On Wednesday, Louise took me around the coast of South Africa and it is amazing very similar to the Great Ocean Road. SOme of the towns are just so cool and there is still a very strong colonial influence down this way as its a strong English community. We checked out a penguin colony and a few coastal towns and then we ended up at the beach. 7 hours in total in the car which was a long time especially for Louise's daughter.. Im getting great practise at looking after kids.. Louise said she can be my referee for the future :)
Last night, after getting back I caught up with Simpeire who is my host brother from Mossel Bay but is now in Cape Town working for Coke and teaching the university soccer side in CT. He hasnt changed a bit except for his dreads, it was great to catch up with him as its been 7 years since I have seen him.. He has some big plans and hopefully I will see him in Melbourne one day.

Today, we went to Somerset West which is 20 mins from Stellenbosch for some shopping in what Louise said is the biggest in the SOuthern Hemisphere but I think Chadstone or SOuthland is bigger (SOrry Louise) Then in the afternoon I went to Kayamandi again to help out with the kids as it will be the last time I will be able to get there... It was great to be back there again and the person that runs it deserves a huge pat on the back for volunteering to do this twice a week.

Now Im about to go out to dinner at a friends before we go and see a band.
Tomorrow Im off to CT to do the cable car and a few touristy things and on Saturday I make the journey to Mossel Bay to spend 10 days with my host family and helping out at my old school. Looking forward to it!!

THe weather has been amazing.. very hot (great for my tan! :) ) and the people are just awesome. Louise's family are so kind and Im slowly picking up some of there phrases!! ouch!

I hope everyone is well and I miss you all.

Troy

First Day!

Hello everyone it is currently Friday afternoon (Good Friday) here in Cape Town and things have been good. It was the longest journey ever, over 26 hours in total!

THe trip to Perth was easy, and Coachy met me at the airport where we went into the city to exchange money and get some breakfast. A test run for the Coachy and Troy African adventure tour!!
This was an interesting trip, as we experienced a bad case of road rage (Coachy was a bit too keen to change lanes) on the way into the city centre and then when we were returning to the car Coachy said he has been having some trouble with the car. Sure enough the battery was flat!
We then waited for nearly an hour for RACV to come, lucky I got back to the airport in time to catch my flight.. (just though) A great test run for our adventures through Africa.

THe flight to Johannesberg was very LONG!! I was looking forward to havign a TV screen in the back of each of the seats but this is Africa and all we had was a pissy little screen for us all to share. I sat next to this lady who is originally from Zimbabwe but now lives in South Africa. . Anyway, 14 long hours later I arrived in J'Burg feeling very tired and uncomfortable. GOt through customs and this bloke offered to carry my bags to the domestic terminal so I can catch a flight to Cape Town. It cost me 30 Rand which is about 8 bucks!! I then had a 3 hour wait for that flight which was so looong, IM so over the songs on my IPod already!
I eventually landed in Cape Town at midnight last night and it was great to see Louise there. It was so good to see her again after all this time, she hasnt changed a bit. I met her husband that night and he is a lovely bloke. (Im actually writing this email from her parents house which is a huge property!) THey are off the church this afternoon so I think I might have a rest, still feeling the effects of the long flight.
ANyway, I better go. Will post some photos on here tomorrow

Hope everyone is well and keep in touch.