Travel on the "Me First" Highway

Life itself is the ultimate trip!! It seems of late most Americans think they are on the trip all alone, that it is all about oneself.
I am 64 years old and in my lifetime I have seen community and nation go from an attitude of concern about what is best for the greater good to "me first and forget the rest"!! It disturbs me to no end.
I grew up where trust in your neighbor was tantamount. Doors were left open. Children moved freely from play in a neighbor's yard to swinging on grapevines in the woods. You greeted each other as you moved freely through the neighborhood. Meals were carried to the elderly, sick, or bereaved, their houses cleaned, chores and yard work done, and there was no expectation of remuneration or reciprocation. Children and elderly were "looked after" by family, friends, and neighbors. People respected and cared for others and their property. There was a sense of community and its greater good was a priority.
Today, we imprison ourselves behind locked doors and security systems, sometimes with bars on our own windows. We often don't know our neighbor by name; they are just faces we pass on the street. Our children don't know the joy of riding their bikes around the block, damming a creek in the woods, or playing a pick up game of baseball on the vacant lot. We are afraid of walking the streets of our own neighborhood. Shopping at the mall is an exercise in self defense and due vigilance. We expect and look for the worst in those we meet. Everyone is looking out for number one!
The newspaper today is full of articles about the anger and frustration being expressed across our country in town hall meetings. It carries pictures of individuals outside these meetings expressing "their" right to bear arms and those within expressing "their" right to free speech without respect for anyone else and the issues of safety and fairness. Does this anger and frustration have root in the "me first" attitude? When does "my" right become an infringement on the safety/security and well being of the greater community?
We do not live in a vacuum. We do not travel alone. Every act we do, every word we speak impacts others. I have it better than others; others have it better than I. None of us has achieved our position (good or bad) alone and/or without the actions of others. Yes, we all make our choices/decisions and must accept responsibility for our own actions, but let's be honest. We don't often consider the impact of our choices on others, especially those removed from our inner circle of aquaintance. We don't acknowledge that some are better equipped to make good decisions than others and we all fail at accepting responsibility. It is just easier to place the blame at someone else's feet! It is easier to judge from a position of superiority than to bend to a position of assistance.
What would happen if we were willing to place more trust in each other? What would happen if we put neighbor's needs in front of our own? What would happen if we greeted each other, even strangers, with genuine respect instead of suspicion? What would happen if we were willing to make the road a little easier for the person behind us? What would happen if we became as concerned for the comfort and safety of others on the road as we are about getting where we are going?
I just bet, the world would become a better place.
For now, still the Capetown Seamtress

The Road to the Heart of "The Rez"

It has been a long time since my last posting. Much has happened in the last two and 1/2 years, most of which has been good.
I have been "on the road" in many ways. There has been growth, hopefully, on the road of life, and adventures along the way. The latest road traveled has been the road to South Dakota for the second time.
That adventure began last year with the cancellation of a trip to Russia my son Sean was supposed to take. The following postings will start with the beginning of that story. I hope anyone reading this blog will recognize how an amazing God fullfills dreams and works in the small things we often pass off as "good luck" or "being in the right place".
By the way, I'm considering changing my signature, but for now, I'm still
Cape Town Seamstress

Home! Pictures as Promised

Click on a picture to enlarge
It is Saturday afternoon. I have unpacked and washed all the clothes, and am settling back into the routine of home. My flight from J'burg was delayed and arrived 1 1/2 hrs behind schedule in DC so I missed the connecting flight to Greensboro and had to wait 3 1/2 hrs for the next one. I was able to catch Martha and Joe at the NC line, so they turned around and waited for the later flight. It was good to see them and we got here around 3:00 Thursday afternoon. I had been in transit since 2:30 am Wednesday morning, but managed to sleep so I wasn't too tired.
I have many stories to tell and in the coming days, I will begin to relate some of them. This blog has been a good process for me to record the sights and impressions of this trip for myself. I've never been one to keep a journal or diary, but I found myself eager to update the posts. Your responses made me feel in touch with "my real world" and I found comfort and support in your comments. Already I have begun to "debrief" the experience and reflect on it. As I begin to define and label some of the discoveries of the journey, I hope to record them here.
I chose the title of this blog, "On the Road Again" because I'm forever hearing comments of my being on the road all the time, running from one place to another. While this is often the case, I chose the name for a deeper meaning also. I do believe that life itself is a journey. We are just travelers here, on our way to a more permanent home. We take many paths and roads which make up the experiences of this journey. Some roads are smooth and straight, others more difficult. Some take us closer to our goal and others lead us astray. There are lessons to be learned and shared on each of them. This is my way of reflecting on those lessons and if you care to read the posts in the future, perhaps we can share the lessons learned together on each of our journeys.
Cape Town Seamstress

Tuesday Afternoon, Day 13

Well, dear friends, this is it, the last posting from Africa. The final class is over and last goodbyes said. Tomorrow morning at 8:30, Wendy will drive me over Ou Kaapsewig for the last time to the airport for my 11:30 flight (5:30 am VA time).
My last view of this incredible land will quickly give way to the deeper interior as we fly north to J'berg and then 4 hrs later on toward DC. Pray we are on schedule for the 6:00 am Thurs. arrival as I only have a 2 1/2 hr layover and must claim baggage and clear customs before heading for the final gate and the flight to Greensboro. This evening will be a nice dinner out and back to the flat to finish packing.
Last night was unbelievable! The Baxter Theater is on the campus of Cape Town University. It was a small but delightful theater. OK opera fans and music aficionados, imagine this..........
Mozart's The Magic Flute with dialogue, arias, etc. updated to a modern (?) African setting. Everything was performed beautifully by the Isanga Portabella Theater Group, on par with any good opera house, but in a mix of English and Xhosa. The entire score was played with an African rhythm on marimbas, African drums, plastic trash can drums, oil barrel drums, and wine bottles filled with varying degrees of water. The dance chorus performed with Xhosa rhythm and steps. The three guiding spirits (?) strangely resembled and sounded like the Supremes! The costumes were a mix of traditional Xhosa dress and black leather pants with long black leather coats. Bet you have never heard Mozart like this!! I hope he did not spin in his grave, but honestly, I think he would have enjoyed it immensely. I certainly did. Just another example of the wildly unexpected things you can find in Cape Town. If you can't catch this performance in Cape Town, you might try for the one at the Vic Theater in London! That is where they go from here.
And now I say goodbye from Cape Town. I'll catch you next on our side of the Atlantic! Give me a little time to catch my breath, take care of a few items of business, and I promise to put up lots of pictures!
Cape Town Seamstress

Monday Evening, Day 12

I opened the curtains this morning to see the low lying, dark clouds covering the mountains. It seemed as though the sea, mountains, and sky have felt my sadness of being with these wonderful students for the last class. Just as we gather in the classroom the sky begins to weep. Our prayers are bittersweet as we begin the class.
Again today, there is a new student who must be quickly caught up. If I have done my job, the instructors will be able to guide her along in the coming days. At tea, I am given a "thank you" card which each have signed. And at class end, we sing "Thank you Jesus" and blessings and hugs are given. It was difficult to keep a stiff upper lip but I did get through. Final waves goodbye, and then off to deliver bags to a new store in Noorhoek that we discovered on our trip there.
A quick trip to Simon Town for delivery to Sebanga and lunch before returning to the flat. Wendy is off to Curves and tonight we go to the Baxter Theater for "The Magic Flute" South African style! Man am I going to need some serious rest when I get home. Let's see if that happens!
Martha, thanks to you and Joe for meeting me and fetching me around home. I'll wait for you in the baggage claim area if that is OK. Its easy to get to and a good place to catch up to each other.
Tomorrow, I'll meet with the four advanced students for some new tailoring skills and review of the lessons. It has been amazing to see these students blossom with new confidence in their skills. I've loved watching their generous spirit as they have assisted others. They are gentle and loving in their instruction.
One of the new instructors is Paul who dreams of becoming a tailor. I know he will make it and be good at it. He is a natural leader and very quick to learn. Sylvia is one of the "mothers" (older women) of the class. She is by far the most skilled of the students, but always open to new ways of doing the tasks. Khumi is the only non Xkosa. She is Wsuto and already is an assistant instructor. Nakumsa is the present teacher and has been a most willing student in class. She has a sewing certificate and has done a superb job of teaching her skills. It has been the small techniques and tricks of the trade that I have been able to share to help improve the quality of the product and speed the construction. Pray for all the students as they move toward an improved quality of life because of their new skills.
Cape Town Seamstress

Monday morning

Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Austin, happy birthday to you! I LOVE YOU!
Cape Town Seamstress

Sunday Evening, Day 11

Today, I met the king of Ethiopia (well, that is who he said he was)! He didn't look quite like I would have thought but he declared himself as a gentle man who has a huge job. He also believes "the great Father above makes easy all jobs to which we have been assigned". Now how do you argue with that? And where, you might ask, did I meet the king? On the waterfront of yet another bay, Hermanas, watching the whale mothers teaching their calves the art of holding their breaths, diving, rising to the surface, and spouting through their blow holes, of course! The king may have been a little eccentric, but this place is also.
We went on this excursion after attending morning worship at the Anglican church in Muselberg. The church is a deliberate experiment in mirroring the new South Africa in their staff and congregation. It certainly seems to work well. I really saw the true blend rather than "token" representation. It was a wonderful worshipful experience.
Again we crossed the mountains, but went deeper inland on this trip, before emerging again overlooking the Atlantic. The drive reminded me of the Shenadoah. There were orchards in full bloom along the highway. Then vineyards and farm wineries. Been told that South African wine is some of the best in the world, but I certainly will have to take their word on that. Remember, I'm a good ole Baptist girl who has a world class allergy to the sulfates in wine!! Shucks!!
We are playing hooky tonight. Can you believe it? These heathens have Sunday evening services in most of their churches!!! And yes, people attend.
Tomorrow will be a difficult day in some ways as I say "goodbye" to most of the class. I just hope that something I've taught will make bag assembly easier for them. I've certainly learned from them. Courage, tenacity, willingness, service, and joy in the face of tremendous obstacles exudes from these people. I hope my photos have captured some of it. When I get back to my computer, I will share them with you.
Thank you as you have read and shared my adventure. Continue to read as I post the last editions from the "dark continent". Pray for the people and me as I end my time here.
Cape Town Seamstress