WARNING

This is an excessively long blog post because a lot has happened in the past 48 hours. Annnnd we're kinda playing catch up because we neglected our blogging duties last night. So where to begin...

Yesterday, Saturday (also known as Day 2), was filled to the brim with adventuring all over the Cape Town area in our two white passenger vans chaperoned by our fearless leaders, Gordon and Cedric. We arose somewhat well rested after our 35 hours of traveling ("well rested" being used very loosely; slightly cognsant jet-lagged would be a more adequate term) and first went to the District 6 museum. For those of you who need some brushing up on your South African history, it was an area somewhat similar to a Soho or Harlem-esc melting pot of cultures in the 1950's that was cleared of most black or coloured residents after the apartheid was established. One of the workers there was actually born into the district and was relocated himself! It was prime time for the history buffs of the group. After, we went to an open market to do some souvenir acquisition and practice our negotiating abilities. Some of us were pros in this area, scoring major deals but unfortunately coming off as slightly abrasive to the vendors. Others, however, couldn't handle the heat of the action and got two pencils for 50 rand (ANNE GALLOWAY). But it's okay because "y'all, they were so nice to me!" Some items collected were rugby and soccer jerseys and scarves, coffee mugs, assorted bracelets, scarves, tribal masks, key chains, and one Zulu spears. Start wondering now which one of you lucky parents get to unpack these gems in a week! One downside of this experience was that now our team expects that we should be able to bargain with all other stores in Cape Town. I'll even admit to looking at a price of lunch and thinking of what an appropriate counter offer would be.

Now the highlight of my day personally, the Old Biscuit Mill. Think of a large area, filled with literally every single type of European/African hipster-ish cuisine and retail in booths with prime people-watching, and you have the Old Biscuit Mill. We ate smoothies, tea, ice cream, sandwiches, burgers, and the single best waffles on the face of the planet. I literally found myself thinking that I would fly to South Africa again just to go back. I realized that was ridiculous but you catch my drift. We followed our 2 hours in market bliss with a casual stroll in the gardens to view the former President's residence, and some other Cape Town sights. Other Saturday afternoon leisure activities included pigeon feeding/disturbance, and squirrel observance. Fun fact: the squirrels in South Africa are HUGE and will come right up to you! I kid you not they rival the ones on the Quad at Alabama, and they don't even attack you! Our afternoon concluded with heading to the top of Signal Hill where we harassed even more pigeons but couldn't really see any spectacular sights due to the blanket of fog. No worries though, we had plenty of entertainment between the local fauna and rain jacket fashion show. 

Dinner was at Marco's where we all got the sampler African platter, complete with chips (fries), and small portions of ostrich, kudu, and springbox (antelopes). I still can't determine which was which, but they all basically tasted like steak. We worked off all the red meat by dancing and playing the xylophone with the African band and were more than likely a greater source of entertainment to the other local diners. Can you say Americans requesting "Waka Waka" to be played and then Wobbling to the beat? Get on our level.

Today's morning (Sunday, Day 3) was spent at King of King's Baptist Church and a local kosi church. Clearly some of the team was still suffering from jet-lag and pure exhaustion due to some of the late night bedtimes, and so we had some stragglers throughout the first service. But we genuinely loved seeing a church in a completely different part of the world, worshipping so similarly to us. At the next church in one of the settlements was on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. Not only was it unlike anything we have ever experienced, but it was literally impossible to fall asleep, or even remain seated for more than 30 seconds. We clapped, we danced along, we tried to sing but didn't understand a lick of the language, we sat down and stood up, then sat down again, then stood up, then repeated the whole sequence again followed by a big "AAAAA-MEN".

Lunch was at a cluster of restaurants nearby that were absolutely precious and had warm bread from the bakery that we may have or may have not purchased a bottle of olive oil to dip into. We ate paninis, pizza, and individual chicken pot pies with a heart on them! AKA chick food at it's finest. Some ate at one restaurant that had the most beautiful view, or so I heard. I was at front paying and never got to see it myself but apparently it was desktop background worthy. We then hiked up to Cape Point and saw the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean AT THE SAME TIME. A plethora of pictures were taken (surprise, surprise) and we stayed on our toes keeping an eye out for baboons. While none were sighted, we walked in constant fear that they would dart out and attack the peanut butter crackers stashed in Mark's backpack...wait that was just me. Other animal sightings include a 2000lb antelope (the largest in Africa), and ostriches. Oops, we ate your relatives for dinner last night. #awkward. And we thought we saw a whale. Turns out everyone except me knew it wasn't a whale, just a large rock, but I was convinced there was a giant blue whale stationary on the edge of the Atlantic ocean for 45 minutes. Talk about a major buzz kill. We also climbed down to the Cape of Good Hope, the south-western most point of Africa. NBD. More rocks were climbed and mermaids were imitated. Get up, South Africa.

We came home for some much needed down time spent napping, reading, and beach time. Some of our more fearless friends went on a hike with our chef, Nadine. They returned at 6:45, sweaty and slightly physically and emotionally exhausted, due to the fact that the hike turned into a "scale the mountain" type thing after the sun set early. The day ended with a delicious dinner (beware, we might come home slightly pudgier because all the food down here is the bomb), and devotion time completed by prep time for tomorrow. Because guess what...

CAMP STARTS TOMORROW!

Estactic is an understatement. Keep us in your prayers that we have the energy and the humility to give these kids and staff members the experience that they deserve. Capricorn and Overcome, prepare yourselves. We're comin' for ya.

Finally, thanks parents for sending us on this experience. I know this is uber cliche, but this really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and we appreciate every single second. Love y'all, mean it.

Your Brookwood Team

(Blogger de jour: Allison)