Sunday, August 4, 2013

Livin' the Dream

Cape Town is such a treasure. So much to discover, from nature and animals, to its art, music and food, to its history old and new, to its people of many cultures and races and backgrounds. Having a chance to come here for an academic study, definitely added to the value of this trip, and made it all even more special.

I keep thinking back about our trip and the great time we had and all that we learned, and I can truly say that almost every moment of this journey was great, but there are a few moments that stand out and our night at the Townships and at Mama Sheila's restaurant was one such night.

Townships are product of apartheid, and a reminder of society and human failure. We walked through them during the day and it is hard to believe living in such conditions, not temporary but permanently and for generations.

But life goes on...
at a so called butcher stop

from inside a dorm




We returned the next night for a trip to Mama Sheila's restaurant and if it is a part of townships that I want to remember for ever is that night... the Story of Mama Sheila and her restaurant is not about the living conditions in the township but story of human triumph and hope...

Mama Sheila worked hard for years and years to start her restaurant... She has a story to tell, how it all begun when she was working as a maid and one day found a receipt for wine and cheese for 42 rand as she was cleaning the bed, the same as her monthly salary, and how she decided that she has to do more for herself, how she put herself through school at night, started a used clothing shop, bought a car, traveled abroad to bring clothes, and eventually decided to start a restaurant... and gradually expanded it.

Mama Sheila telling us about the night's dinner

She cooked a feast that night and we ate so much. The food was delicious, but was was even better was the story and the company.

A group of young South African's played music that night. We danced. We ate. We drank.




I ate and cried. It was so beautiful. There was so much life. And there is so much HOPE.





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