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Welcome to Our Blog

WELCOME TO OUR BLOG

As anyone who has participated in UConn's Education Abroad in Cape Town will tell you, there are no words to adequately explain the depth of the experiences, no narratives to sufficiently describe the hospitality of the people, and no pictures to begin to capture the exquisite scenery. Therefore this blog is only intended to provide an unfolding story of the those co-educators who are traveling together as companions on this amazing journey.

As Resident Director of this program since 2008 it is once again my privilege and honor to accompany another group of remarkable students to this place I have come to know and love.

In peace, with hope,
Marita McComiskey, PhD

(marita4peace@gmail.com)

Monday, March 7, 2016

Isabel's fun and educational homestay

A large group of us are coming off a long weekend at our homestay in Oceanview.  The small community is about forty minutes outside of Rondebosch.  The night we arrived, we were all taken away to the community’s ballroom dancing class.  The class of about two-dozen students put us all to shame that night.  After some time and failed efforts to grasp dances such as the Jive and Cha Cha, we all took a breather on the sidelines as the rest of the talent kept performing.  One of the youngest students stood back for much of our practice and I figured she was just there to watch.  Little did we know her dance partner was the instructor of our class.  He took her hand and they started dancing like they hadn’t missed a beat.  She was about one eighth of his height and stature, but you could just tell she adored him and he gave her all his attention for the rest of the performance.  It was one of my favorite highlights of the weekend.
           
The next morning, Libby and I woke up early to head across the street to Auntie Alice’s home where Eric and Bryan were staying.  Auntie Alice created a daycare center out of her house for kids in Grade R.  Needless to say, Libby and I spent a large part of the morning getting our hair braided and tugged on by little five-year-old hands before we made the journey to the Muzienburg Pools.  We spent the day down in Muzienburg with a group of the kids from Auntie Alice’s center.  The kids we so elated to be there, but none of us anticipated their energy and by the end of the afternoon we were all exhausted and very, very sunburnt.  The third degree burns on my forehead were well worth it, though.

The rest of the weekend was spent with our host family.  Libby and I stayed with Pastor Abrahams and Auntie Ann who have both spent a long period of their lives in Oceanview.  The whole weekend was spent based around conversation and story telling.  Even through hardships and struggles of their own, they have still managed to give to any person who knocks on their door throughout the years.  Pastor Abrahams made many points to Libby and I about the uncontrollable issues of greed and wealth in this world.  He gave us so many valuable insights and I will take those with me for the rest of my journey in Cape Town and even upon my return to the states. 
           

Saturday we braaied (a South African style BBQ) and Libby and I contributed to the feast with some American-style brownies.  Our family fed us both well during the entire weekend, almost too well.  We experienced the best doughnuts Cape Town has to offer, along with many of Auntie Ann’s recipes that she was happy to share with us.  Seeing as Libby and I are both struggling beginner chefs, her advice was much appreciated.  It was very sad to say goodbye to Saturn Road, Oceanview on Sunday afternoon, but it was nice to get back to our home away from home in Rondebosch.  I always love coming home to all my housemates.  They always find a way to put me into the best of spirits.  Here’s to a new week in Cape Town and to an anticipated guest from home in just a few more days!! 

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