Cape Town

Hello all,

I have now been in Cape Town for two weeks. I really like Cape Town, the pace is a lot slower here than in Johannesburg. CT is definitely more like the West Coast in the US, whereas Joburg feels more like the East Coast.

I haven't really explored the city very much yet, I have been busy at the Sports Science Institute (SSISA). But I have been working on some cool projects for SSISA. One is called the Ithuseng Project, it is for South Africa's professional soccer teams. A lot of soccer players in SA do not have a high school diploma, their highest level of education being secondary school. They have it in their mindset that they are going to be soccer stars and make a lot of money by playing for clubs overseas. In reality, despite a lot of the players having a tremendous amount of talent, only a certain number will make it big. So the players who don't make it are left at the end of their soccer careers without any job skills to fall back on. Even the players who do "make it" have a tendency to blow their money on extravagent things and end up pretty much where they began. Drug and alcohol abuse is a big problem within SA's soccer clubs.

Project Ithuseng teaches the soccer players life skills. They learn about banking, HIV/AIDs, drug and alcohol abuse, media training, nutrition, etc. If the player completes 80% of the course he or she recieves a certificate, it is something that they can put on their CV. I got to go with one of my coworkers to a local soccer team that is affiliated with the Dutch club Ajax. I got to meet the players and kick the ball around with them. It was a lot of fun.

A few days ago I went into a township where SSISA has a programme set up for the children called "Little Champs." This programme helps the children develop coordination. Recently, studies have shown that children growing up in townships are lacking some important motor skills, Little Champs is helping solve this problem by using fun games with the young children as a way to develop these motor skills. The children are adorable! I wanted to adopt every single one of them. I don't know what is wrong with me, but lately I have been feeling very motherly. It is like my internal clock has kicked in and my body is telling me that I am ready for a child of my own. I may be ready physically; but financially, emotionally, etc. I am certainly not ready to take that step. I am suffering from what I like to call "Femotion," it is when a woman is emotional for no apparent reason. If you take femotion and add children to the mix it leads to intense motherly feelings. Kittens are also bad for femotion.

On another, less emotional note, I am hoping to head to the beach this week. I would also like to climb Table Mountain and see if I can beat my previous record of reaching the top in 35 minutes. But I cannot hike Table Mountain alone because I would most likely be mugged for my tennis shoes and camera. It is only safe to go up in groups. This is unfortunate, because I would have already climbed it by now. There are some desperate people in SA who have reverted to violent acts in order to get what they need to survive. I just need to have my wits about me at all times when I am out and about. I never carry more money than what I need, I hardly ever carry a purse, and I will not walk alone at night. But really, no matter where you are in the world, you should be doing the same thing. Street smarts people.. street smarts.

On a final note, I would like to encourage all of you to check out Tegan and Sara's new albulm Sainthood that comes out tomorrow (Tuesday.) It is going to be excellent. They are talented musicians. They are also going on tour, so you should check out if they are going to be in your city! Do it for me.. so I can live vicariously through you. You will walk away a fan.. guaranteed.

Cheers!