We made it! We had great travel (as great as you can have seated for 15 hours contained in a small space). We flew out of St. Louis Tuesday night and arrived in NY around midnight. We got up Wednesday and headed out of JFK (New York) straight to Johannesburg then caught a domestic flight to Cape Town. We arrived Thursday around noon and headed to Paarl after "hiring" (renting) a car. After a few stalls, bumpy starts, and once driving on the "American" side of the road, Luba was back in action with the standard car.
my favorite South African drinks: pinotage and Ceres juice
sunrise somewhere over Africa
It is Autumn (Fall) here and it is gorgeous. The vineyards are all colors of orange, red and brown and are so beautiful set against the Dutch style white farmhouses. this is my first time to be here in this season. I'm constantly in awe as we drive down the road, especially now that I'm less on call to ensure we are on the correct side of the street.
Thursday, we checked in to our amazing guest house. It is a historic barn loft and it is huge. I fell in love with it when I saw the pictures on airbnb and then was even more impressed when we checked in.
After checking in, we headed over to say hello to his family. Since we were going to be early, we stopped by Cafe Juno for a glass of wine. We met at Spur for dinner.
Friday, we got up and grabbed breakfast.
here when you order a muffin, you also get jam and cheese
After breakfast, we went to Cape Town with Luba's mom and sister to look for a dress for me and his mom to wear to Saturday's event. I was able to find a dress that fit at one of the stalls by the train station. You "fit it" (try it on) right on the spot. They pulled one door closed or a curtain and pulled other things in the way to provide as much privacy as possible. We lunched at Nando's and then headed back to Luba's parent's house.
Saturday, we had the "big event." Well, it was big for me as the "makoti" (bride). We have not been back here since our wedding and his family was not able to come to our wedding so this day was our introduction as a married couple. We had a lovely buffet lunch with close friends and family at a restaurant nearby and it had a wedding reception feel as people spoke about us. I was introduced that day with my given Xhosa name, Zukisa (meaning: to glorify God, name chosen by his sister). If you ever hear Luba call me Zukie, you'll know where it came from....
These gals came out when we arrived to help tie the scarf on my head
After this reception, we went back to his parent's house for "tea." Several of the neighbors (women) were there and I was once again introduced. This was the more stressful part for me as there was more cultural expectation. In this "tea," the makoti serves tea for the parents and friends as well as cooks food for everyone and serves it. I was lucky - I got to have this experience but I got by with a little (LOT) of help from his sister and women in the community. They actually cooked all day so it was ready when we arrived. Luba's aunt helped me dish and serve the food, and I got coaching from her, his sister, and another woman throughout. Now, mind you, Xhosa is being spoken all of this time so occasionally I just had to ask "What is happening right now?" to keep myself straight and solicit some extra cues. It was a truly lovely day, and I'm happy that his family provided this experience.
Luba's aunt
Look who else helped today! So good to see these familiar faces!
Sunday, we went to church with his family to his father's church in Mbekweni, which is the church I always attend when here.
After church, we had a nice relaxing lunch (& wine tasting) afterward and napped. We meet back up with his family at a restaurant nearby for dinner. We ate at the old La Romantica, now Bella Bellota. My dinner was not so South African.....
On a personal note, it has been so great to be here with Luba as his wife. Everywhere holds so many memories for me individually and for us together. It's a great place for us to step back away from America and the stress and reconnect to us and what we find important.
More posts & pictures to come....
Danielle
