For the totally uninformed, South Africa has just won the World Cup in (what is that sport again?) oh yeah, Rugby. The cars are racing up and down the street with horns hooting (blasting) and people shouting. It's no time to be out. Aren't we glad American sport fans are so much more refined? How is race weekend, anyway?
We had breakfast in Monkey Valley overlooking the beautiful Noordhoek Bay. Long stretches of white sand and gently rolling waves. You would think one would get tired of bays and mountains, but I continue to be amazed. They each have their own temperament. This one quite and serene, yesterday the waves crashed against the cliffs and whirlpools sucked the surface for potential prey.
Mountains change in the blink of an eye as shadows move across their face. This one steep and rocky. That one cloaked in Protea and another seeming to sway as the breeze moves giant blades of Mother-in-law's Tongue. Cross to the other side and it ripples with grasses.
The landscape changes quickly while other changes come more slowly. Old ways, habits, thinking, are deep rooted and stubborn to change. And yet, the light penetrates the darkness.
I can't believe my time here is coming to a close. But, my thoughts are turning to home. Sunday services tomorrow or maybe we will play hooky and try one more road trip to see whales. Then full class Monday and say goodbye to the first years. Tuesday will just be the four core students who will become next years instructors.
I'm already trying to fit everything in the suitcases and bringing as many bags as possible. I really shouldn't have bought................. Oh well, we make it work somehow.
Cape Town Seamstress
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Friday, Day 9
It is Sat. morning and Wendy and I heading off to the waterfront for breakfast. It was a late night because e went to the Masque Theater for the play "Rebecca". It was another full day, but a good day. I come back later today to fill you in. The tummy says it is time to eat!
Cape Town Seamstress
Cape Town Seamstress
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Days 7&8 Thurs. Evening
I'm back and no, I didn't step off the end of the continent! There was no post last evening due to a minor computer clitch, but here we go....
It was class as usual till 1:00. The first yr students continued to learn the procedures for putting the bag together with three sewing until one part was constructed or needed to be pulled apart for correction and then another student moving to the machine to complete their next stage. We did manage to get four machines running, but one has to be handled with patience as it keeps breaking thread. Thank you to thse who are expressing a desire to help. I will have ideas and avenues for this when I return.
The second yr. class began to design and make the pattern for a smaller bag of similar style. After tea, they began the cutting with some old fabric. These will be the prototypes and will be used to discover design flaws and the best way to construct the finished product. Remind me of this when I complain that JoAnn's doesn't have a good pattern!!!!
After class, we head to Kalk to shop. Oops, I almost told you where exactly and that would give away the secret of what I bought!! Can't do that now, can I?
Then to an early dinner at Bayside to see if we could see whales while eating. No such luck! They are on the other side, we are told. Just my luck but Wendy promises to go to Hount Bay and they surely will be there.
Travel tip #2- When travelling to South Africa, be prepare to eat pleanty of fish!
Home to rest before Bible study at the Anglican church (huh?). The sofa felt so good! Wendy decides these people don't know I am here and gives me the blessing of staying in because the Cape Doctor has moved on shore in the form of fierce winds. The window rattling variety. I fix a cup of coffee, look through another of her beautiful table-top books on Africa, get an early bath and off to bed.
Today, the class continues in much the same way as yesterday, but with one new student who must be brought quickly up to speed with the others. Thank goodness, she is a quick learner and very motivated.
The second years have put the different components of the new design together and discovered a couple of things that must be changed before we move on. These are corrected and we begin to assemble the sample. Tonight they will complete their prototypes. If there are no more problems discovered in the assembly process, tomorrow the best seamstress will begin work on the bag that will be presented for approval. Keep your fingers crossed. They really want to make this new smaller purse also.
There was something of an upheaval that greatly upset Wendy. Although it does not directly affect the program it does affect people for whom she has great respect. No matter where you are, it seems everybody likes to mark their territory and guard it fiercely.
We head to another fabric shop in Weinberg and then to look at sewing machines and negotiate a good price. Then it is over the mountain to the Cape Town waterfront. I finish my shopping and we have a good Italian dinner before heading home.
Wendy needs to come to the computer to work, so forgive this less than descriptive account. Just take my word, I have seen more beautiful views, met wonderful people, and am still in awe of the whole experience!
Cape Town Seamstress
It was class as usual till 1:00. The first yr students continued to learn the procedures for putting the bag together with three sewing until one part was constructed or needed to be pulled apart for correction and then another student moving to the machine to complete their next stage. We did manage to get four machines running, but one has to be handled with patience as it keeps breaking thread. Thank you to thse who are expressing a desire to help. I will have ideas and avenues for this when I return.
The second yr. class began to design and make the pattern for a smaller bag of similar style. After tea, they began the cutting with some old fabric. These will be the prototypes and will be used to discover design flaws and the best way to construct the finished product. Remind me of this when I complain that JoAnn's doesn't have a good pattern!!!!
After class, we head to Kalk to shop. Oops, I almost told you where exactly and that would give away the secret of what I bought!! Can't do that now, can I?
Then to an early dinner at Bayside to see if we could see whales while eating. No such luck! They are on the other side, we are told. Just my luck but Wendy promises to go to Hount Bay and they surely will be there.
Travel tip #2- When travelling to South Africa, be prepare to eat pleanty of fish!
Home to rest before Bible study at the Anglican church (huh?). The sofa felt so good! Wendy decides these people don't know I am here and gives me the blessing of staying in because the Cape Doctor has moved on shore in the form of fierce winds. The window rattling variety. I fix a cup of coffee, look through another of her beautiful table-top books on Africa, get an early bath and off to bed.
Today, the class continues in much the same way as yesterday, but with one new student who must be brought quickly up to speed with the others. Thank goodness, she is a quick learner and very motivated.
The second years have put the different components of the new design together and discovered a couple of things that must be changed before we move on. These are corrected and we begin to assemble the sample. Tonight they will complete their prototypes. If there are no more problems discovered in the assembly process, tomorrow the best seamstress will begin work on the bag that will be presented for approval. Keep your fingers crossed. They really want to make this new smaller purse also.
There was something of an upheaval that greatly upset Wendy. Although it does not directly affect the program it does affect people for whom she has great respect. No matter where you are, it seems everybody likes to mark their territory and guard it fiercely.
We head to another fabric shop in Weinberg and then to look at sewing machines and negotiate a good price. Then it is over the mountain to the Cape Town waterfront. I finish my shopping and we have a good Italian dinner before heading home.
Wendy needs to come to the computer to work, so forgive this less than descriptive account. Just take my word, I have seen more beautiful views, met wonderful people, and am still in awe of the whole experience!
Cape Town Seamstress
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Tuesday Evening, Day 6
For the first time, I'm really tired. It is 7:45 pm and we have been on the go all day. In addition to the running around, it has been somewhat stressful, which drains you.
There were 13 in the class this morning and time had to be spent catching up the new students. Most were from the first class and their skills are not as well developed. Each student has now laid up and cut one bag. After tea break, I began observing two students sew. There are six machines in the classroom including one industrial machine. The problem is there are not enough outlets to plug all in and no power strips or extension cords to reach them. Also, at least two have no bobbin case so they are useless. The goal is to have each students complete one bag by end of class Friday so I can teach new skills Monday and Tuesday. And more students are expected tomorrow. In the small classroom, this should get very interesting!!
We did some more sightseeing after lunch at a farm nearby which has turned its buildings into shops and restaurants. The food is quite good and a lot of it has been influenced by European dishes. Everything is fresh. Fish, vegetables, fruits, breads are all available locally and prepared on the spot. Then it was a drive around by the ocean and over another of the mountains into Simon's Town by the back route. Again there were awesome views, but no whales in the bay today.
Then off to KOK for Wendy's meeting with Pastor John and a prayer group. Both of us are tired so we decided to eat lightly at home. Wendy is in the kitchen, rattling pots and pans while I write. Then she must do some work on the computer (it didn't happen last evening or today because of phone calls and other interruptions). And I'm hitting the sack early.
Gerry sing pretty! Thanks Shirley for reading. I promise pictures later, but it really pulls my battery down and takes too much time for now. Wendy is gracious to let me prattle away when she really should be here doing the articles she has promised.
Joe, I missed your email today. I love you!
Cape Town Seamstress
There were 13 in the class this morning and time had to be spent catching up the new students. Most were from the first class and their skills are not as well developed. Each student has now laid up and cut one bag. After tea break, I began observing two students sew. There are six machines in the classroom including one industrial machine. The problem is there are not enough outlets to plug all in and no power strips or extension cords to reach them. Also, at least two have no bobbin case so they are useless. The goal is to have each students complete one bag by end of class Friday so I can teach new skills Monday and Tuesday. And more students are expected tomorrow. In the small classroom, this should get very interesting!!
We did some more sightseeing after lunch at a farm nearby which has turned its buildings into shops and restaurants. The food is quite good and a lot of it has been influenced by European dishes. Everything is fresh. Fish, vegetables, fruits, breads are all available locally and prepared on the spot. Then it was a drive around by the ocean and over another of the mountains into Simon's Town by the back route. Again there were awesome views, but no whales in the bay today.
Then off to KOK for Wendy's meeting with Pastor John and a prayer group. Both of us are tired so we decided to eat lightly at home. Wendy is in the kitchen, rattling pots and pans while I write. Then she must do some work on the computer (it didn't happen last evening or today because of phone calls and other interruptions). And I'm hitting the sack early.
Gerry sing pretty! Thanks Shirley for reading. I promise pictures later, but it really pulls my battery down and takes too much time for now. Wendy is gracious to let me prattle away when she really should be here doing the articles she has promised.
Joe, I missed your email today. I love you!
Cape Town Seamstress
Monday, October 15, 2007
Monday Evening, Day 5
Has it really been five days? I can't believe it! And today has been full to the brim, over flowing. God is good! Today, I stood at the end of the African continent!
Wendy arrived around midnight and we talked for 1 1/2 hrs. We were up at 7:00 and off and running by 8:45.
We arrived at the Center for the first class at 9:00 only to find the Living Hope board in a meeting in the room through which we must pass to get upstairs to our classroom, so we wait. At 9:30, we begin. This class is small but tomorrow more will come. There are five women and one man and all are upcoming graduates. This is the core who will serve as instructors for new classes and they are eager to learn, but somewhat intimidated by this "redheaded" American lady. Now, why would anyone be intimidated by little, old me?
I show them the problems with the master pattern that are creating some of the inconsistency in the finished products. The next step is demonstrate how to make a new master pattern and then how to lay it the same way each time. Each person in turn lays out the pattern, cuts one bag, and makes a personal pattern . They quickly understand that having the ability to cut out their own bags instead of having just one cutter and doing it the same way each time will facilitate an increase in the production, reduce fabric waste, and help in the quality of the final product.
We have already overcome the possible language barrier. Most speak some English, but not American Southern drawl. One of the ladies interpets anything the others don't catch and their questions to me. It reminds me of an old fashioned quilting bee as we banter and laugh while working along. We seem to have established a rythmn and time flies. Before we know it, it is 1:00 and Wendy has returned.
She has had a busy morning. She takes me across the street to look at an empty store in the stripmall. There is a possibility that a move will be needed by graduation. Things are moving very swiftly toward a full business that will allow the students to work from their homes. The stigma of the disease does not allow for many job opportunities, even at the lowest rung so the neccessity of this is pressing.
Then, we stop quickly at the apartment to refresh ourselves before our sightseeing. AH, what sights we see!
We drive along the coast to Cape Point. This is the southern most tip of Africa overlooking the Cape of Hope. It is where the Indian and the Atlantic oceans converge and fight for dominance. The waves come from all directions to crash against the cliffs. And everywhere you look, there are the waters and the mountains. David, this is the picture of Genesis', land divided from the chaos (water). Along the shore in the grasses, wild ostrichs feed and baboons groom each other.
How can anyone see this and not know there is Being higher than themselves? It is beyond description! And in the middle of my furiously taking pictures, my battery dies!!!!!!
After coffee and dessert at the Two Oceans Resturant, we return to Fish Hoek and run to Woolworths to buy a roast chicken for dinner. I like the way Wendy thinks...dessert first then dinner! Let's get the important stuff taken care of first!! And yes, I did say Woolworths.
Wendy is fixing the rest of dinner while I use the computer. Afterwards, she has writing to catch up on and I will read and work on tomorrow's lesson.
Oh yes, we have a winner! And the answer is... "robot" is indeed what South Africans call a traffic light. By the way, I think I'm getting use to driving on the left (wrong) side of the highway. Look out VA drivers!!!!
Cape Town Seamstress
Wendy arrived around midnight and we talked for 1 1/2 hrs. We were up at 7:00 and off and running by 8:45.
We arrived at the Center for the first class at 9:00 only to find the Living Hope board in a meeting in the room through which we must pass to get upstairs to our classroom, so we wait. At 9:30, we begin. This class is small but tomorrow more will come. There are five women and one man and all are upcoming graduates. This is the core who will serve as instructors for new classes and they are eager to learn, but somewhat intimidated by this "redheaded" American lady. Now, why would anyone be intimidated by little, old me?
I show them the problems with the master pattern that are creating some of the inconsistency in the finished products. The next step is demonstrate how to make a new master pattern and then how to lay it the same way each time. Each person in turn lays out the pattern, cuts one bag, and makes a personal pattern . They quickly understand that having the ability to cut out their own bags instead of having just one cutter and doing it the same way each time will facilitate an increase in the production, reduce fabric waste, and help in the quality of the final product.
We have already overcome the possible language barrier. Most speak some English, but not American Southern drawl. One of the ladies interpets anything the others don't catch and their questions to me. It reminds me of an old fashioned quilting bee as we banter and laugh while working along. We seem to have established a rythmn and time flies. Before we know it, it is 1:00 and Wendy has returned.
She has had a busy morning. She takes me across the street to look at an empty store in the stripmall. There is a possibility that a move will be needed by graduation. Things are moving very swiftly toward a full business that will allow the students to work from their homes. The stigma of the disease does not allow for many job opportunities, even at the lowest rung so the neccessity of this is pressing.
Then, we stop quickly at the apartment to refresh ourselves before our sightseeing. AH, what sights we see!
We drive along the coast to Cape Point. This is the southern most tip of Africa overlooking the Cape of Hope. It is where the Indian and the Atlantic oceans converge and fight for dominance. The waves come from all directions to crash against the cliffs. And everywhere you look, there are the waters and the mountains. David, this is the picture of Genesis', land divided from the chaos (water). Along the shore in the grasses, wild ostrichs feed and baboons groom each other.
How can anyone see this and not know there is Being higher than themselves? It is beyond description! And in the middle of my furiously taking pictures, my battery dies!!!!!!
After coffee and dessert at the Two Oceans Resturant, we return to Fish Hoek and run to Woolworths to buy a roast chicken for dinner. I like the way Wendy thinks...dessert first then dinner! Let's get the important stuff taken care of first!! And yes, I did say Woolworths.
Wendy is fixing the rest of dinner while I use the computer. Afterwards, she has writing to catch up on and I will read and work on tomorrow's lesson.
Oh yes, we have a winner! And the answer is... "robot" is indeed what South Africans call a traffic light. By the way, I think I'm getting use to driving on the left (wrong) side of the highway. Look out VA drivers!!!!
Cape Town Seamstress
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Sunday Evening, Day 4
It is around 7:00 pm and the sun is setting behind the mountain. It has been mostly sunny, low 70's, with a quick shower around noon. Another beautiful day in the neighborhood of Fish Hoek.
Joe again, "fetched me round" for church at KOKs this morning. It was a contemporary service and again had a missionary speaker. Their mission celebration will conclude this evening. The congregation is a good mix of the different people in the area, but is predominately white. It is very much like an International church. It seems there are many active and retired mission personnel from all kinds of sending agencies who are part of their congregation. After service, I was handed off to two of them. No one wants me to be lonely until Wendy returns.
Susie, from Colorado, works full time in Christian media under a group called HCJB(C?) Global. I'm not exactly sure of the last letter and for what they stand. Guess I should Google it and see. I do know there is a local station in Fish Hoek and Susie also works with Living Hope, I think, in some capacity through the mission committee of KOK. She has been here a number of years.
Pat is from Asheville, NC and has been here for 20 months. She came first as a volunteer for two weeks with a mission team from the Baptist association in Asheville in 2005. Pat is a retired Kindergarten teacher and EMT who has worked on a rescue squad in the Asheville area for 20 yrs. While here, the team was part of a prayer meeting at KOK. They divided into random small groups in which each person was to tell what they were relying on God to do in their life or what was their greatest need. Pat's group include Pastor John Thomas who sat facing her. When it was his term to share, he looked across at Pat and replied that God had laid it on his heart, that very day, to seek a medical person who could also drive an ambulance. No one had told him what Pat did. He only knew she was one of the team from NC, nothing more. It was simply a God thing! Before her two weeks were up, Pat had called her son at home and told him she was coming home but would be returning to work with Living Hope. She came a year later committed to two yrs. She returns to NC in Dec. to spend some time with family but will be returning to Fish Hoek, maybe permanently.
From KOK, at 11:00, the three of us went to Masiphumelele (Massie) for church. Massie is a few minutes away, across and down the road from the Living Hope Health Center. It is a Black shack settlement (think third world, low income housing) which houses almost double the population for whom it was built. Shoved between the rather nice original buildings are homes of any kind of materials possible. There are stick shacks, corrugated metal, shipping containers, etc. being used to house the people. The lucky ones own their homes and rent all available space to those who cannot own. Unemployment is about 80% and about 1/3 are known to be infected with Aids. Pat holds Children's Church each week during the service.
At 1:00 or so, we leave to have lunch at the mall behind KOK. It is Long John Silver's , South African style. The conversation is all American and a good deal Southern drawl. But, it may be one of the reasons I'm here. I get some very interesting insights to how things work between KOK church, Living Hope Ministry, and Evangeline Ministry and how some of the requirements for accredition of the health center are creating some tension. I know Wendy is much concerned about how to move to the future with Evangeline Ministry and has felt this tension building. She so wants to continue employment for the soon-to-be graduates, but has been unsure of how to proceed. Maybe an outside view will bring a different ,and hopefully, helpful perspective.
Back to the apartment around 3:00 to read and blog. I curl up on the sofa, just to warm my feet while reading South African poetry, and wake an hour later! I'm not tried, just totally relaxed for the first time in a long time. Why do we insist on pushing ourselves all the time?
The contest has had my desired results. You are posting comments for me to read. Keep them coming, I love it. This cyberspace stuff is great! Oh yes, an "organogram" is an organizational chart. Some of you Googled that one. But, "robot" is still up for grab.
I tried replying to your post through email, but they are bouncing back. Jane and Terry, thanks for your friendship and support. Martha, I love you sis! My "anonymous" son, daughter-in-law, and "Little One" (we really can't keep calling an almost 8 yr old that, maybe "Middle Bit") I love you and I'm praying for your decision. Diane and Pam, get those pumpkins moving! Glad to hear the unloading went well and give my thanks to the Tues. Grace crew for the tremendous job. Tell Marilyn how much I appreciate her pitching in. Thank you Ann, for "holding the ropes" and encouraging others to do so. Thanks "Rabbi" David for your support. To my daughter and grandsons, I love you. Post a comment to your old Grandma. Joe, we'll keep emailing! I love you! And for others who are reading and praying, thank you all.
Cape Town Seamstress
Joe again, "fetched me round" for church at KOKs this morning. It was a contemporary service and again had a missionary speaker. Their mission celebration will conclude this evening. The congregation is a good mix of the different people in the area, but is predominately white. It is very much like an International church. It seems there are many active and retired mission personnel from all kinds of sending agencies who are part of their congregation. After service, I was handed off to two of them. No one wants me to be lonely until Wendy returns.
Susie, from Colorado, works full time in Christian media under a group called HCJB(C?) Global. I'm not exactly sure of the last letter and for what they stand. Guess I should Google it and see. I do know there is a local station in Fish Hoek and Susie also works with Living Hope, I think, in some capacity through the mission committee of KOK. She has been here a number of years.
Pat is from Asheville, NC and has been here for 20 months. She came first as a volunteer for two weeks with a mission team from the Baptist association in Asheville in 2005. Pat is a retired Kindergarten teacher and EMT who has worked on a rescue squad in the Asheville area for 20 yrs. While here, the team was part of a prayer meeting at KOK. They divided into random small groups in which each person was to tell what they were relying on God to do in their life or what was their greatest need. Pat's group include Pastor John Thomas who sat facing her. When it was his term to share, he looked across at Pat and replied that God had laid it on his heart, that very day, to seek a medical person who could also drive an ambulance. No one had told him what Pat did. He only knew she was one of the team from NC, nothing more. It was simply a God thing! Before her two weeks were up, Pat had called her son at home and told him she was coming home but would be returning to work with Living Hope. She came a year later committed to two yrs. She returns to NC in Dec. to spend some time with family but will be returning to Fish Hoek, maybe permanently.
From KOK, at 11:00, the three of us went to Masiphumelele (Massie) for church. Massie is a few minutes away, across and down the road from the Living Hope Health Center. It is a Black shack settlement (think third world, low income housing) which houses almost double the population for whom it was built. Shoved between the rather nice original buildings are homes of any kind of materials possible. There are stick shacks, corrugated metal, shipping containers, etc. being used to house the people. The lucky ones own their homes and rent all available space to those who cannot own. Unemployment is about 80% and about 1/3 are known to be infected with Aids. Pat holds Children's Church each week during the service.
At 1:00 or so, we leave to have lunch at the mall behind KOK. It is Long John Silver's , South African style. The conversation is all American and a good deal Southern drawl. But, it may be one of the reasons I'm here. I get some very interesting insights to how things work between KOK church, Living Hope Ministry, and Evangeline Ministry and how some of the requirements for accredition of the health center are creating some tension. I know Wendy is much concerned about how to move to the future with Evangeline Ministry and has felt this tension building. She so wants to continue employment for the soon-to-be graduates, but has been unsure of how to proceed. Maybe an outside view will bring a different ,and hopefully, helpful perspective.
Back to the apartment around 3:00 to read and blog. I curl up on the sofa, just to warm my feet while reading South African poetry, and wake an hour later! I'm not tried, just totally relaxed for the first time in a long time. Why do we insist on pushing ourselves all the time?
The contest has had my desired results. You are posting comments for me to read. Keep them coming, I love it. This cyberspace stuff is great! Oh yes, an "organogram" is an organizational chart. Some of you Googled that one. But, "robot" is still up for grab.
I tried replying to your post through email, but they are bouncing back. Jane and Terry, thanks for your friendship and support. Martha, I love you sis! My "anonymous" son, daughter-in-law, and "Little One" (we really can't keep calling an almost 8 yr old that, maybe "Middle Bit") I love you and I'm praying for your decision. Diane and Pam, get those pumpkins moving! Glad to hear the unloading went well and give my thanks to the Tues. Grace crew for the tremendous job. Tell Marilyn how much I appreciate her pitching in. Thank you Ann, for "holding the ropes" and encouraging others to do so. Thanks "Rabbi" David for your support. To my daughter and grandsons, I love you. Post a comment to your old Grandma. Joe, we'll keep emailing! I love you! And for others who are reading and praying, thank you all.
Cape Town Seamstress
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)