Taxis don't freak me out any more. In fact, I have become picky when it comes to what taxis I will and won't take. I mean there is just no need for me to squeeze into an over crowded dodgy van when a less crowded, nice van could be coming at any moment.
The taxi bay is still a little sketch, but there are guys there constantly selling Lunch Bars... a type of chocolate bar that I love so much. Hence my taxi bay experience has become more enjoyable.
I am trying to remember to enjoy the view of the mountain. It's incredible! So incredible that this Saturday we are going to take a 7 hour hike of the mountain. I have yet to inform my friends that because of my inability to love hiking, and my love of the word and the action of meandering, that this voyage might take more like 9 hours...
Shannon and I start most of our mornings off at the gym. We have met a ton of great people there, but one of my favorite ladies is Cecilia. She is in her 40s and from Zimbabwe. I particularly enjoy how she notices everything I do: "Rachel, why such a short work out today?" "Rachel, you get in the shower before your friend and come out after." "Rachel, why have you not worked out in several days." Um, thanks for keeping tabs on me Cecilia...
Sinse we are here to meet people in the City I spend a fair amount of my time talking to people in coffee shops. One of my favorites is U & Me. They have great apple cinnamon muffins, vanilla lates, and an amazing staff. Tambourai is a barista there, but she is also into fashion and wants to be a lawyer. On several occasions I have even been able to share the Gospel or Biblical principals with her. If you think of it please pray that she would get connected with Christian community, maybe even VOX.
Mostly I have ceased encountering creepy men. Although last week I encountered a rather nice theif who after running in front of me and saying "my lady, my lady," stopped me, showed me his knife and threated to stab me while asking for my phone. Mostly I was just confused because my phone here is pretty crap, so I had to clarify that my phone was indeed all he wanted. As I was trying to find my phone a security guard came up to us (I'm pretty sure that was Jesus watching over me) and the boy (he was probably 17) decided to leave the scene. I think I should have been more afraid, but I was just confused and slightly irritated.
I would like to assure you that indeed there are some great guys in Cape Town. Siya, Swige, Mr. T, and Jomo are some of my favorites. They are a few of the black and colored guys that we have been hanging out with. Mostly it's just really fun because we are so different, I mean I don't speak Xhosa, have never experienced apartheid and didn't grow up in black culture, but am able to laugh so hard with these guys. Jomo the other day said, "Rachel, you are one of the most awkward people I know." I took it as a high compliment. Oh and Siya taught me some Xhosa words, molo, enkosi!
Every Tuesday I hang out with my Indian friend Mansi. It's amazing because she likes going to all the random places I have wanted to see in the city. Today we went to the gardens, which I like to call the secret gardens because it took me so long to find them. The birds there are super use to people, so I spent about 20 minutes running through the birds because it's fun. I pray a lot for Mansi, she told me today I am her closest friend here. I so value her friendship, but it's hard because I want her to understand the truth of Jesus and his love for her. However, when we talk about "my God," for her, it's no different than talking about my culture. Please pray for her.
Well this is my life. I'll be home in just 9 days to go back to my new, old, life!
