Wow! I am so glad that it is Spring Break here! Last week was hectic--I had tests and a major paper due in History so I slept very little! But it was all over by Wednesday, so I got to enjoy Thursday and Friday.
On Thursday, I headed out to Kayamandi with Theatre in Action, a group of about four Stellenbosch students (though it's dwindled since) that are scripting and performing a play with about 15 students from Kayamandi High. All of the kids of wonderful, truly interested in theatre and willing to participate in the creative process. We asked them to come up with issues that they wanted to address in the play and then guided them through scripting. The resulting story revolves around Tandi, whose father is abusive to her mother. The mother is submissive, convinced that such treatment is only natural, while the community is reluctant to involve itself in "family matters." When a neighbor goes to the police, they do little as the system is corrupt. There's a tragic ending, with a spark of hope battling despair. It's a good foundation but the script needs to be fleshed out. The performance date isn't set in stone yet, but it's coming quickly so we'll work fast!
On Thursday night, Drew and I went out with our friend Harrie, while Josh went out with Jacques, Stacy, and other International Relations students to celebrate completing a test. It was a fun (and late) evening. Harrie and Drew started to teach me how to dance! hahaha. I'm sure it was amusing if anyone was watching! Friday was another socializing day. The three of us headed to Jacques's flat for tea with him, Stacy and Daniel. We talked about politics and generally had a good time. Then we headed off to meet Harrie and Ivan for a quick bite, before leaving with Marian and Julia for a braai at Auntie Vivian's house!! What a day!
Saturday was gorgeous--after a week of rain we really enjoyed the hot weather. After watching Mamma Mia we settled down for a picnic in a field. Our sprawling was interrupted by a beggar who came and just stood about a meter from us. After about 15 minutes of ignoring her, we decided to just leave. After a late meal at the newly reopened Java (Drew was so happy!), the boys spent the evening packing for their Cape to Addo trip. I was supposed to go on the same trip, but chose to stay in Stellenbosch to continue my work with Theatre in Action. Only one other girl was available to help with rehearsals and she couldn't even make on all the days, so I decided to stay behind. It was a bit disappointing, but I can always take a few days later and visit the Garden Route. I won't have this opportunity to workshop a production later.
I've been out to Kayamandi every day so far this week, so my time here has been productive. It's been rainy every day (as I write, ominous black clouds hang in the sky), so I haven't spent much time outside, but I've explored town, poking my head into every tiny shop and spending hours in the museums. It's actually probably better that I'm alone, because otherwise the boys would be rushing me along!! Yesterday I went to the Stellenbosch Toy Museum and spent a long time looking at dollhouses and miniature rooms. The museum has two buildings and therefore two curators, both elderly and full of knowledge about their exhibits. Johan and Phillip gave me personal tours, throwing in advice about things to do in Stellenbosch, as well as in life. Phillip regaled me with his recent braaing adventure; he lives above the museum and invited friends over to braai in the backyard, setting off the smoke alarm in the museum in the process! When the firemen arrived, he just offered them a steak! And did I mention that the museum had Kewpie dolls?!
I've really enjoyed the week so far. It's the first time I've really been completely on my own. At college I had roommates and Madison nearby, so I didn't go off exploring by myself. And since I've been here, I've had Josh and Drew with me every day. It's kind of liberating to be alone! To decide what I want to do, when I want to do it, what I want to eat, where I want to walk, without having to clear it with anyone or make compromises. When I wanted to stop into a random restaurant and order a scone, I did. When I felt like seeing a movie, I did. When I wanted to spend an hour chatting with the owner of the art gallery, I did. Everyone is so friendly; I enjoy having the time and freedom to converse.
At the same time, I've been very safe. Stellenbosch is safe during the days, especially downtown and in the more expensive shopping section. There are lots of tourists around, but it is empty enough that you can always be aware of who exactly is around you. I haven't felt in any danger being alone, but I am careful to be back in my room before it gets dark. While it's unlikely anything would happen, I'd much rather be safer than sorry.
Yesterday evening I went to the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town. The driver, a personal friend of our housemother, is wonderful and enjoys talking about her life and the town. I learned Deirdre was in the army, loves to scrapbook, has a grown daughter in London, spends time with a gang of 10 friends (there should be a book or movie about them--so fun!), and feels like a mother to everyone she drives around. If she takes a group somewhere, she doesn't leave them. If Deirdre drives a group of girls to the beach, she parks and then sits somewhere where she can see to make sure they are okay until they are ready to go back. In the same vein, Deirdre dropped me at the theatre and then stayed, playing cards with her young son (who came along for the ride) until I was ready to go.
I saw "Gumbo," South Africa's first full-length Deaf and hearing clowning show. "In a rumble-down seaside inn, a young Deaf boy works the kitchen for his father. One dark and stormy night, a travelling salesman and his daughter seek refuge and a hot meal at the inn. The inn-keeper welcomes them in, and proceeds to hustle the traveller in a game of cards. As the wine flows and the stakes are raised, the salesman bets his daughter on the final hand..." Needless to say, the inn-keeper wins and then tries to woo the daughter, while she instead falls in love with the deaf son. At times the clowning was a little annoying, but the love story was so well done I forgave the rest. The scene where the girl discovered the boy was deaf and he began to communicate through sign was exceptional, done in such a way that you always understood what was being said. Extremely interesting to watch.
After the play, I came back and met up with Christian and Jerome, two German friends that stayed over Spring Break as well. We headed to Brazen Head, the Irish pub in town that I hadn't been to yet. While not quite the same as the real thing, it was a fun time. The bartenders knew Christian, so we sat at the bar and talked with them for most of the night. I got laughed at for nursing a glass of wine for about 4 hours, but that was fine with me!!
And now it's officially raining again. Great. I considered going to another show tonight (a high school theatre competition) but I'm going to wait to see shows until my friends who own cars get back and I can recruit someone to go with me. I spent R65 on a ticket, but R500 on safe transport, which I find ridiculous. Although, on Saturday I am going to see two shows at the ArtsCape--My Fair Lady and Gatherings (a dance performance)--with Estelle and her family.
I'm not sure what I'm doing today and tomorrow. The Theatre in Action rehearsal tomorrow might be cancelled and if it is, I might join Christian and Jerome on the trip to Hermanus (whales!!!!) and Cape Agulhas they are thinking about. Although, Stacy is in town and we're supposed to do something. And Harrie and Ivan are coming back soon. And Estelle invited me out to her house in Strand. hahaha. Don't worry about me being alone--I have plenty of things to keep me occupied.
By the way, check out pictures from Tuesday at http://picasaweb.google.com/MelissaMFagan
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