January 8, 2007

Today we truly experienced the meaning of African time.  We arrived at Parliament to discover that renovations had been done over Christmas break and unbeknownst to us, our tour had been moved to tomorrow.  So, we had to be flexible and decided to spend some time in the botanical gardens behind the Parliament.  Almost all of us ended up at a tea house where many of us sampled Rooibos tea, which is supposedly fertilized by bat guano.  It was so relaxing to be sipping tea and eating scones among trees and plants that were so foreign to us.

 
We spent the afternoon in Stellenbosch, a University town that is primarily Afrikaans.  We spent some time wandering around in the sun, getting ice cream and checking out the stores.  Some of us found a small curio market where we haggled for authentic South African crafts.  The rest of the afternoon was spent at Stellenbosch University, speaking with Amanda Gouws, a friend of the Heuns.  She is a professor of political science at the University and specializes in gender studies and the transition to democracy of South Africa.  While we had had student presentations on these topics, it was great to have this information reinforced and have the gaps filled in.

 
Amanda, her two daughters, and her husband joined us for dinner at the Delaire Winery, “situated on the crest of the panoramic Helshoogte Mountain Pass, overlooking the Banhoek Valley and framed by the mighty Simonsberg and Groot Drakenstein Mountains.” (poetic, I know)  We enjoyed Ostrich, Salmon, and Bobotie – a South African dish.  We spent half an hour taking pictures of the winery and the surrounding mountains.  The winery was kind enough to remain open past their usual 4 pm closing time in order to accommodate us, and we were truly grateful.  We enjoyed the food, fellowship, and fine views of the winery.  You will all be jealous once you see our extensive collection of pictures. 

Much Love,
Emily

 

 

 

Posted by Jeff Guerrero on 01/08 at 05:02 PM

  1. It’s cold and there a few snow flakes coming down in Michigan. Bargaining in the open air markets looks like a lot of fun.
    Love to all of you
    Helene Davis

    Posted by Davis family  on  01/08  at  07:57 PM

  2. seconded! we miss ya!

    Posted by Abigail Rockey  on  01/08  at  11:31 PM

  3. Dear Jeremy,
    You wrote that some of you were sick. Who was sick
    and what was the matter? Were you experiencing sickness of the area?
    Are you also doing some cooking or are you always
    eating out?
    Is shopping out there expensive? That would be a question your mom would ask!
    What is Chelsea’s blog sight?
    I hope you are well and enjoying yourself.
    Love, Mom

    Posted by Jeremy Schut  on  01/09  at  10:05 AM

  4. heey Nate,

    it’s me Jorien do you no?¿?¿
    from aduard.
    this is a very nice site man.

    gr. jorien

    byebye

    p.s. I love you a litlle bit

    Posted by Jorien Hoekzema  on  01/09  at  01:24 PM

  5. I see you found some shopping Laura!

    Love, Mom

    Posted by jvogelzang  on  01/10  at  12:08 PM

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