My African Autumn

It's autumn here, but not like autumn in Missouri.  Every now and then, I get a glimpse of what fall looks like in the good old Midwest and today was one of those days...

The leaves here don't burst into color quite like they do in the States, but they do show a bit of evidence that the weather is changing.  The air however, screams the changing of the seasons.  I can see my breath as I make my way to the train station on the misty mornings.  The cool and cloudy days bring crisp breezes filled with the wafting scents of decomposing leaves and fires from the hearth.  On the days when the sun does decide to show its face, the yellow-y sunbeams pierce their way through the remaining leaves on the trees.  Those that have already shown their color and fallen to the ground make a satisfying crunch under my brown leather boots.  On the most brilliant of autumn days, the colors of the air seem to be a bit more orange and the sky a bit more blue.

Autumn is a time to whip out my heavy scarves and remember to bring my rain coat to work (it is the rainy season here, afterall).  It's a time for long walks through the parks on Sunday afternoons (thanks Lyss).  It's a time for Saturday afternoon football (or futbol) games in that old sweatshirt.  Fuzzy slippers, big mugs filled with coffee or tea, warm blankets, chili cook-offs, fresh baked bread and other sweet treats....that cold and runny nose when you walk through town and the early morning fog that the morning train must pierce through all accompany this season.  Nickel Creek or Imogen Heap fill my headphones and I can't seem to get enough of the aptly named Autumn Film Project.

I'm stuck in May, going on November.  Family meals and Thanksgiving should be coming up soon, right? It's days like these when I wish I was back in Columbia, about to hop on my bike and ride down the Katy Trail to the winery on the bluff with my bestie, Becca.  Days like this when I'm reminded of all the times we biked around campus and ended up at Flat Branch for some pumpkin ale to finish off the ride.  Days like this when I wish I could see the splendor of Missouri in fall....

But as I see the changing of the seasons around me here, I can't help but feel a renewed sense of self.  The last few months have been pretty tough in a lot of ways and I feel as though I'm finally pushing out of that season.  This new autumn has ushered in a new outlook on life and a renewed joy in the people and places around me.  And now as I plan for the next steps in my life, I'll sit on the porch with my green mug of apple cinnamon tea and take in the sights and sounds of my African autumn....

Cultural Conundrum

Hundreds of children and adults alike streamed into the building, almost as fast as the water streaming down the road outside.  A little rain wasn’t about to deter this crowd from attending the first ever Mr and Miss Sinako Beauty Pageant.  Masixole had been working on this event for over a month and today was the final product of his hard labor.  Kids chatted with excitement as the dj played their favorite songs to enhance the atmosphere for what was about to unfold.  Many of the guests, in tattered clothing, still wet from the rain outside and many without shoes; had never been to a beauty pageant before, let alone one with contestants from their own community.

I was thrilled that Masi asked me to judge the event.  He was so excited about it, that I couldn’t help but share in his excitement of the event.  In all the hubbub the day, he forgot to make a judging sheet for us to score the contestants---so he asked me to make one up as he was running out of the office to the venue.  I obliged and in true form, the event looked a little bit like controlled pandemonium when I arrived at the center with the two other judges.


The pageant was held in a community centre in the township of Nyanga and I was one of 2 white people in the entire building.  Now, this generally wouldn’t bother me as I’ve become quite comfortable in these situations, but today was different.  Today I was sitting at a table in front of everyone as a judge.  Masi had done a wonderful job of making sure everything was in order and 3 giant plates of food and a jug of juice were brought out for the sole purpose of feeding the judges.

Here’s where my conundrum comes in....

There I sat, in front of hundreds of people who probably didn’t have breakfast and many would go without lunch as well—with a whole plate of food just for me.  I felt guilty even eating one chip. I wasn’t even that hungry...I had a full nutritious breakfast, a great lunch and a coffee break already.  I knew I would go home to a hot meal and I knew there would be leftovers for the next day.  I could tell by the look in some of the kid’s eyes that they wished to have some of the food.  I just wanted to pull the group of little kiddos sitting to my left, over to my side and dish out the goodies to them.  I didn’t need it, they did.  I wasn’t hungry, they were.

On the other hand, if I didn’t eat the food, I would be considered rude for not consuming what I had been given.  Masi and the planning team had specifically prepared a full plate of food for each of the judges and it was his “gift” to say thanks.  It might have been different if there were more people of my own race in the audience...or it might not have made a difference at all.  Either way, I was stuck.  Eat the food that I didn’t need in front of people who did need it or be inconsiderate to the people who took the time to prepare it for us.  What was I to do??


As the event progressed, I battled to make a decision, but I gradually ate a chip here and a cookie there, trying my best to show my courtesy and gratefulness to the effort put before me. The two other judges and myself watched as these proud kids ‘strut their stuff’ across the stage.  Every kid had worked so hard on their costume and the girls, their hair and makeup.  It was such a proud moment for them--choosing the top three was much more of a challenge than I anticipated.

After announcing the winners, the boy who won Mr. Sinako of 2011 stood proudly as all the girls ran up to take a photo with him and flash their eyelashes in hopes of getting a personal smile.  Pushing through all the people, an older woman made her way to the front and wrapped her arms around the boy.  Hugging and kissing him, she started to cry---it was his mother who was extremely proud of him.  What a great experience for mother and son!

During all the craziness of announcing the winners, I was able to give a bit of my plate to some smaller kids hanging out by the judging table before the plates were whisked away.  I don’t know if I did the right thing or not, but at least a few kids had something to eat. As I left the event in my warm and dry car, I watched as others walked home in the rain and once again was hit with the stark reality of poverty and wealth. I hate feeling guilty about what I've been blessed with, but today, I just couldn't shake it. I won't be able to change the whole world, but I certainly will try my best to do what I can while I'm still living in this beautiful and challenging place.

Half Marathon? Check!

The air was chilly and damp.  4.30am came a little too early on this Saturday 'morning' but I awoke with excitement and a bit of nervousness.  Today was the day--the day that my friends and I had been waiting for since October of last year.  Today was the day that we were to conquer the Two Oceans Marathon, the 'most beautiful marathon in the world!'

Bellies full from the previous day's carb-loading with 10 other compadres, Maegan and I jumped up and down to stay warm as we waited for the starting cannon.  I never thought I would sing the South African national anthem with quite so much vigor just before 6am, in the dark, in the middle of Main Road with 14,000 other people...but I did.  And I loved every minute of it :)

The boom from the starting cannon shook the stage and we set off on our journey around the beautiful place that I have come to know as Cape Town.  Then first 45 minutes of the race took place before the sun woke up, but even still, there were supporters all along the route clapping, cheering, and blowing air horns to lift our spirits.  The first 2 kilometers were pretty rough, but after the 2.5 mark, I was good to go.  

Maybe this  is a good time to stop and let you know that I have never run more than 10 kilometers at a time in my entire life.  Most of those 10Ks happened to be on flat ground so attempting this hilly half marathon was certainly something a bit more difficult than previous done.  But as any runner will tell you, there's something about the vibe, the spirit of the runners alongside you, the epic beauty of Cape Town that keeps you pushing forward.

At 11K there's something that Cape Townians like to call, Southern Cross hill.  If there was ever an epic hill, this is it.  1.7 kilometers of straight uphill at the halfway point in the race took more than physical stamina to overcome.  As I tried to run "into and not up the hill" (thanks for that advice, Josh), all kinds of runners were encouraging and pushing each other up to make it to the top.  After reaching the summit, the runners high kicked in and I felt like I could do anything.

The rest of the race was a windy route through the 'redwood' forest of upper Cape Town.  Watching the sunlight rise on Table Mountain, changing from orange and pink to soft yellow and ultimately brilliant sunshine kept my mind off the fact that my feet were throbbing and knees were aching.  They weren't lying when they touted this race the most beautiful marathon.  IT WAS GORGEOUS!!!

As I rounded the last corner, the entire cityscape came in view and hundreds of people had come out to cheer on the last few kilometers.  Turning down the last stretch, I saw 8 of my good friends chanting my name which gave me the much needed push to finish strong.  I have to admit, I did get a bit emotional after crossing the finish line and I was congratulating my fellow runners left and right with, "We did it!!!  We did it!!!"

It's still hard to believe that I ran 21 kilometers last weekend...and that it was all over before 9 in the morning at that!  I had an amazing group of friends supporting at key points along the route and great girls to train and run with.  I can now cross this one off the bucket list, but I think I'll just have to sign up for the next one in Kysna in July....  :)

Note: Fret not, I'll have pictures up as soon as I get them.