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
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
posted by Troy Aitken | 7:10 AM
3 Comments:
Hey Troy,
Will ring you on Thursday at about 5.00 our time so will be 9ish in the morning there. Happy blogging
Sounds like your having a ball Troyboy. the thought of you leading a sermon is going to get me through the year.I'm a tad worried about you teaching english but i guess they wont know any better. First class travel eh? county boy made good!
talk soon
Jimmi
hey troy,
have your found a solarium in SA yet to work on your winter tan?
keep up the good work
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