Dana burning and learning

Orientation is finally coming to an end and although part of me wants to get into a routine again, I know I’m going to miss having time to just spend hanging out with my amazing housemates at some amazing places! On Friday we went to Clifton beach, which had some of the softest, whitest, cleanest sand I’ve ever seen! Although most of us came back with a sunburn despite using SPF 55 sunscreen, it was worth it to walk down the beach and see the clear (and freezing!) water smashing against the rock groups on the shore.

On Saturday night we attended an annual minstrel event that is held in Cape Town. I had never heard of this before, but it’s a holiday with a lot of history. At the time of slavery in Cape Town, the slaves worked all day long on New Years Day serving their masters but were given January 2^nd off to rest. This is the day they would celebrate the New Year with music and dancing and bright colors, which is now commemorated by a public holiday in the Western Cape. The annual show I’m writing about is a celebration where several different minstrel groups perform for a crowd while competing against each other for the title that year; friendly competition though. There were so many people watching the amazing instrumental music and dancing, whether part of a minstrel group or just for the experience. It was especially exciting for us because our bus driver, Faiek, is part of a minstrel group and personally invited us to come watch them perform!

While there, I decided to get something to eat. It must have been clear that I didn’t know what I was eating because a boy who was part of one of the minstrel groups came over to me to explain that it was traditional Cape Malay food and told me exactly what was in it. He continued to explain the tradition of the minstrel and the reasoning behind the costumes and face paint as well as asking me about our stay here so far. It felt great to be welcomed into such a cultural event despite the fact none of us knew of the holiday beforehand. This type of friendliness is something that is very unique to Cape Town. People are very open and just want to talk to you no matter what you end up talking about. It’s a comforting feeling to be welcomed in when at times it can be awkward and uncomfortable being so obviously American.

Tomorrow is the start of our internships and I’m more nervous now than I was getting on the plane here! I’m not sure what to expect or what I’m going to see, but I know no matter what it is I’ll be doing, I’m going to love doing it.