Bafana Bafana

Last night had a great chance to catch up with the family on a funny Skype call home, missing you guys! 

Day #14

Today was suppose to be the hottest day yet- and it didn't disappoint! 

We were back in the township of Dunoon to do another football outreach this time to kids a bit older. 

At least 80 eager young people were waiting on the community playing fields as we arrived in Dunoon. Let the games begin. 

Again we organised them into teams and assigned countries to each team and today we remembered coloured bibs which made all the difference. 

Today to start the week off we did a small tournament were we got the chance to see the style of play, what level they're at and just to let them play. We hope to be working with this group so lots more to look forward to.  

It was great fun to run this football tournament and getting stuck in with the youth of Dunoon. In the end it was team Bafana Bafana (South Africa) who won today games and received their team prizes. 

After that we had a coaches versus young people match which was a gruelling battle but the coaches came out on top. 

Then Chris sent all of the kids chasing after me... they caught me. Before I knew it I was flat on my face with 80 kids sitting of my back, a rock in my face and the occasional kick to the wounded man down! Eventually got up covered in dust, a cut shoulder... Looking like a had just received a good mugging (I had!!) but it was all good fun so I'll just have to get them back tomorrow! 

Later in the afternoon we enjoyed to hot weather and went for a dip in Chris' pool which was very refreshing. 

Just another day in Cape Town...

God bless. 

Sunday Lunch

Day #13

We headed to church earlier this morning. Normally the youth have their junior church at 9 o'clock before the main service at 10.15 and today was their presentation of what they have learnt the last 7 weeks.

Over the last 7 weeks they've been doing a course for new believers about what it means to be a Christian. So with all the parents they spoke about things such as prayer, the bible, the Holy Spirit, church and how Jesus changes your life. Great to hear from these kids about having a faith in Jesus! 

The main service again was a great experience with fantastic worship and a great message. Today we were in the sermon on the mount looking at murder and anger. Really challenging to think about grudges or stored anger I might have and how as a Christian I need to deal with these problems rather than let it build up. To pray for Jesus to help us forgive and move on. Replace anger with love! 

We were out for lunch today and with the good weather it was time for another Braai

Great food, friends and conversation. Also a chance to meet more amazing people and find out all about them. That's one thing about being in South Africa I've met lots of amazing people who have all been incredibly friendly, welcoming and interesting to chat to. 

Dave and his wife's appartment was a stones throw away from yesterdays rugby stadium and had great views!

Then came home to watch the Red men get another three points!

Another great day in The Cape. 

God Bless. 

"Hier Kom Die Bokke!"

Day #12

Today was a day for the men!

Started the day with me and Bruce driving to Capricorn to pick up Josh, one of the lads from the township and who plays for CCC. He's a really nice lad, good fun and easy to talk to. Today was a lads day out! 

First stop; the old biscuit mill

The Old Biscuit Mill is Cape Towns equivalent of Camden Market in London but with a bit more class and culture. (We need one of these in Liverpool). It had lots of different stores and stalls selling various gifts and produce. There was also a chocolate factory there which was good to taste all the different types of chocolate (white, milk, dark) and the different strengths of coco. 

But most importantly there was sooo many food stalls selling freshly prepared meals and snacks. 

  

There was sooo many types of food from lots of different cultures and countries. Too many to choose from!! As we went around we tried different little tasters, one of which was Biltong a speciality here in South Africa (basically is cured/dried sirloin steak). 

I ended up going for some tasty Chicken, Chorizo and green bean paella! Also got myself a couple of Cake pops after only being introduced to these beautiful sweet treats a few weeks ago thanks to the Smith family, so I had to get myself some and they were goooood! 

Next we headed home to watch the football, Chelsea vs Spurs! Josh being a Chelsea fan he was cheering on the blues for the win. Just to give you idea about which teams people support out here; in the older generations Liverpool is huge out here, but the majority younger people are glory hunters and support Man United (soon they'll be changing loyalty after their recent dip in form and today's result).

Now for the main event of the day!

We were off to Newlands Rugby Stadium to watch the international match between South Africa and Australia. Two fierce rivals at the top of their games, it promised to be an epic battle! 

We got tickets in the standing area behind one of the try lines. Ticket cost me R100 which is about £6.50, a bargain to watch world class rugby! I wasn't expecting the best of views but how wrong I was! 

 

And being in the standing area the atmosphere was so much better with chants and songs being sung for the Springboks! I was wearing my new Springbok jersey, "Come on the boks!" 

It was a great match, we went 3 points down early on but after 20 minutes we had cemented our position and were 20-3 up! Final score was 28-8 and was a great match, especially from our view we got to see just how big these guys are and how hard they smash each other!! Incredible! My first international rugby experience and I loved it! 

"Hier Kom Die Bokke!"

"Here come the Boks!"

God Bless.

Swimming with the Fishes

Day #11

Today we couldn't go back to Dunoon and spend more time with the kids so especially after last nights match I enjoyed a good lie in. 

So with no plans for the day I decided to head into Cape Town and take a look round the aquarium. 

It was really good. Loads to see! 

I found nemo.

Also got to see two very rare headless penguins ;)

By far the creepiest/scariest of them all the Giant Spider Crab...

And of course the big boys...

Really enjoyed myself! Another tourist attraction ticked off the list! 

So what did I learn/take away...

Well I took away a great quote from the Kelp Crabs (which look like mini armoured tanks);

"When the going gets tough, the tough get going"

Always knew I was doing the right thing in not being a big fish eater as there was a lot about the awareness of over fishing and certain fish running out! 

Saw this sign as well which made me think...

I think it's a great little moto when your thinking about being green and saving the planet but it only goes so far. It should be;

"If people are the problem, then Jesus is the solution!!"

While I was down at the waterfront I got to watch these guys,

They did an incredible cover of Viva la Vida  by Coldplay! It drew in the crowds and put a huge smile on my face so I had to buy their CD! Now me and The Tazz have some local music to listen to as we're out and about. 

Another great day! 

God Bless.

Debut Day

Day #10

This morning we headed straight back to Dunoon. 

Bit more about Dunoon... Dunoon is one of the poorest of the townships. It's what you call a squatters camp, meaning people staying there do not have to pay any sort of rent and they manage to get free electricity as well by stealing it from the grid. Therefore the only thing you need to think about financially is food. This is the reason then why all the people who live hear tend to have moved from Eastern Cape to this small township to not have to worry about rent and can get on their feet, sort themselves out, then they move on. 

We were back at the children's day care centre and today with the plan to play football with the kids. The problem is that this township has very little field areas or places to play football so we had to walk to the local park area. 

Trying to walk all these kids through a busy and dangerous township certainly kept you in your toes but was great fun. The kids are all really friendly and good to talk to. 

The two boys at the front are the two older kids who helped out a lot leading the you get children, they were best friends aged 7&9. Both of them were really good boys! 

So we set off...

Our journey turned into a conga through the streets but it worked out okay and we made it to the park. First job was to sort out teams and as we forgot bibs colour clothing it was which was tricky when kids kept taking off layers revealing new colours beneath. 

Soon teams were organised and captains selected. Next job was the kids to choose a country for their team name. The teams; we had France, USA, Holland, Italy and Bafana Bafana (the South African National squad). 

Let the games begin!

It was crazy! Kids running everywhere! Some of the children watching ran and joined in turning some games into a free for all kicking contest. 

The kids loved playing football (or soccer as it's called here)! They had soooo much energy and just wanted to run around! After lots of interesting little games between the countries.... France came out victorious! 

We had prizes for the winning team and special prizes for the team captain and player of the week which happened to be those two boys from the earlier picture.

 

The kids absolutely loved their prizes, the smiles on there faces naturally made me smile :) The two boys also loved their prizes...

Next it time was for food for the kids before a sleep later that afternoon at which point me and Chris left. 

 

Debut day. In the evening it was going to be my debut game for CCC, Capricorn Community Church and I was well up for the challenge and experience of playing for this new team. 

CCC are a team mainly made up of lads from the local township, the team was set up as a project by the church and it reaches out to the community through this shared passion of football. The lads are encouraged to get involved with youth groups at the church and they seem to enjoy it. The team plays in the Cape Town Church league. CCC are currently top of the league with three games to go. Tonight's game was against 2nd who were only 3 points behind so it was an important match. 

The group of lads were really friendly. Most of them are in their early twenties. So for the chance to have some defensive bonding the back four were in my car plus one extra as we drove the long journey to the game. 

It was cold, wet and windy (as football should played in). The first time these boys had played a match in the rain! Floodlights switched on and the game was set. 

It was a competitive physical game as our opponents where a lot bigger and stronger than most of our players. Did have some trouble as most of the team spoke in Afrikaans so trying to communicate was tricky but it was okay.  After conceding an early goal due to an unfortunate mistake from the keeper we soon turned on the pressure and it was 2-1. Final score 3-1. Some of the players were top class, especially in midfield areas and the striker was in a league of his own (25 goals in 13 matches this season and for half the season he played centre back)!! 

Really enjoyed myself and the lads all voted me man of the match so was made up. Missed playing 11-a-side and enjoyed my first game of the season. 

Eventually, after driving the lads back, got home close to 10.30 covered in mud, bit of blood, cold, wet and hungry. 

Really enjoyed my time with the team, got a new and completely different experience! Come on CCC!!!! 

God bless. 

An apple a day keeps the doctor away

Day #09

Good Morning. New day; new challenges, new experiences and new people all to look forward to. 

After Mondays disappointment today we were heading back to the small children's centre in Dunoon Township to deliver a healthy lifestyle talk. 

Just a bit about the centre, it's more if an open house. A lady from the community realised with the increasing numbers of children in the township (and there are loads) that a lot of them have nothing to do in the day so she opened up her home (well her garage really) and started this children's crèche/ centre!

I didn't know what to expect but was excited about this new challenge. We were led round the back of this small home to the back entrance of the garage and when we walked in we were amazed to see how many children were there, all crammed together, waiting. 

"Cal, there all yours!"

Thrown in at the deep end! But it was really good, the kids were really nice, all had big smiles and excited to see two new faces!

So as I said earlier I was going in to talk to these children from the township about healthy lifestyle. The tricky part was not all of the kids spoke English so as I spoke I had an Afrikaans translator talking alongside me which made things interesting but we got by. I started off talking about a healthy diet, we looked at all the different types of food and how we need to eat healthily to do all the mad things we love to do. 

Then as we moved on to fruit we ha a taster session as I had previously bought lots of fruit for the kids to try. 

They loved it! It was tricky to try and control them and their excitement but it was great fun. 

After healthy eating we moved on to another way in which we can keep healthy, exercise! So outside we went for a mini bootcamp. They all copied me as I went through different types of exercise, so we had jogging on the spot, star jumps, squats... When I asked one of the kids to lead we all end up in one big dance! They couldn't really get their heads round push-ups...

After all that I took them in for a quiz and for prizes we had some more of the Liverpool gifts to give out. 

I loved my time here and look forward to going back (hopefully tomorrow) to play football with the kids! They were full of so much energy, enthusiasm and life! Great fun to work with! 

In the afternoon, I went to do a couple of jobs, watched a performance from a local children's circus group, then went for a drive further round the coast to visit Camps Bay and Hout Bay! Amazing drive right next to the sea! 

Hout Bay, a fisherman's a town was really interesting and I got the chance to see my first South African seal. 

Great day! 

God Bless. 

National Braai Day!

Day #08

Today was Heritage Day, or more commonly known as National Braai Day! 

"But what's heritage day Cal?" I hear you ask, well let me tell you...

Heritage Day is a South African public holiday celebrated on the 24th September. On this day, South Africans across the spectrum are encouraged to celebrate their culture and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions, in the wider context of a nation that belongs to all its people.

And one thing all these different cultures share in common is... A Braai! 

"And a Braai Cal?"

A Braai is the South African equivalent of the British BBQ!

So to celebrate this Public Holiday myself Bruce Louise and Grace headed out for a hike (typical Taylor style)!  

We went to Silvermine nature reserve. This is the mad thing about Cape Town all these nature reserves, gardens and parks are all still in the city, right on your doorstep! 

So after a 3 hour hike which had great views of the coast, there was a waterfall, rare flowers (which Bruce and Louise took a particular interest to), amazon rock features... Great walk and it was sunny! 

Then we headed more south as they wanted to show me a local farmers village. And what a day to visit

The place was packed out with lots of people to celebrate Heritage day! The smells were incredible as food competitions were taking place! 

The men stood proud... aprons on... prongs at the ready... beer in hand... music playing... meat on Braai! 

It was great to look around and feel apart of this national holiday! I also enjoyed a South African sticky toffee pudding whilst we people watched.

After that we headed back to prepare the Braai. Bruce ran me through 'How to do a Braai for Dummies'  

Step 1; prepare the wood

Step 2; get it burning 

Step 3; wait until the flame dies down

Step 4; bring on the meat

Step 5; tuck into some of the most amazing food you've ever tasted 

Also enjoy some homemade ice tea and fresh bread 

And a bit more meat...

My first Braai on national Braai day! Couldn't time it better! 

Had a great day! Loving my time here so far! Each day is a new adventure! 

God bless. 

Dunoon

Day #07

The Cape Town spring is in full swing with more sun and blue skies to start the day! Temperature are starting to creep up as well! 

Today I was off to the township of Dunoon. Dunoon is a small township not too far away from Table View in the outskirts of Cape Town. It is a very shanty township with not the greatest conditions. 

I was suppose to be giving a talk on Healthy lifestyle to a small crèche for the younger kids (around 5/6 years old) of the township. I had prepared for the event and especially gone out to buy lots if fruit for us all to try, however to my disappointment the crèche was closed. But I hope to come back and do my little presentation later in the week. 

So instead, me and Chris headed into the heart if the township and went to visit some of the family's. This was my first time to walk around a township and get to see the conditions these families live in. 

In that room in the back the mother and the three children (one was just a baby) shared a small double bed. 

My trip to Dunoon gave me such an insight to the conditions these people live in day to day. It's a tough life. 

When your in a place like this, where day to day life is tough, and begin to think about how to be a witness to these people these verses tend to come to mind...

Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? (James 2:15, 16 NIV)

Gave me something to think about anyway. 

During my time in the township I got the chance to meet lots of different people and had the opportunity to give out some of the LFC gifts. 

These two boys wanted one day to play for a big club like Liverpool Football Club (notice they didn't say a big club like Everton- Interesting).

The children loved to take lots of pictures while I was there, mainly of themselves...

The afternoon, Chris took me through an intensive fitness boot camp and after yesterday's run it almost killed me. We also looked through tackling techniques for coaching and other stuff along those lines. 

What did I learn; To be cheerful in the face of adversity, as Chris shouted during the drills when cheerful wasn't the first word which came to mind.

It was a good session and I did learn a lot. Knackered though afterwards and the legs even now are a bit stiff. 

A good day. Excited to see what tomorrow brings.

God bless.