My Week in Muizenberg, South Africa – Day 1: Arriving at the Volunteer Home

From the moment I walked by way of the doors of 37 Albertyn Road, I knew that selecting to volunteer by means of International Volunteer Headquarters (IVHQ) South Africa plan was a single of the greatest suggestions I’ve ever had. Right after postponing the trip for virtually a year due to the standard anxiety of time and funds constraints, I realized there’s nothing at all else I’d rather be undertaking than traveling and assisting other people, and on Sunday night I discovered myself standing in the middle of the Albertyn Home‘s bright and bustling hallway, surrounded by the friendly and exited faces of individuals from all over the world who felt precisely the identical way I did.

“Hey! We’re going to Primi to get drinks and wifi, wanna come?” A petite brunette girl from Canada asked prior to I had even put my luggage down. Devoid of question I threw my stuff in what was designated as my area and appeared back in the hallway in seconds. “Oh no no, you can’t take that.” She stated, pointing at my Harvey’s Seatbelt Bag. I had heard it wasn’t safe at night in Muizenberg, so I wasn’t shocked at her remark, and had actually been preparing on utilizing the slashproof bag as a weapon. I shrugged, and reached in my bag to grab my iPhone and wallet, then threw my purse in the corner. “Here you can place your stuff in my backpack, let’s go!” She mentioned, opening her bag for me to throw my wallet in though following the rest of the group out the door.

Albertyn Road at dusk

As we strolled and shuffled around the corner, down a narrow street of small homes, down a further, across a busier street next to a bridge sheltering homeless individuals, and finally down another road that led straight to the beach and Primi – the neighborhood restaurant they all go to that stays open late, I attempted to absorb all of the “new people” suggestions that they excitedly had to give. Inside the adorable beach-chic yet modern day restaurant, I continued to listen to stories, advice, and gossip, although attempting to figure out who was dating who, due to the fact it seemed like several of them had been. I swiftly realized that I forgot about the natural phenomenon of a trip-partnership – someone you meet on a trip and have a passionate, die-difficult, week-long relationship with, only to have to say goodbye (possibly forever) at the end of it.

I quickly scoped out the table, just in case there had been some potentials, but instantly felt creepy and refocused on my conversation with the Sams (two girls both named Sam who had already been in the program for weeks), about how a single of their phones got stolen earlier at Mzoli’s – an very neighborhood Sunday Funday spot in a township where fights and theft are the norm.

Primi’s! The view from inside faces the beach

Right after absolutely everyone was performed eating, drinking, and wifi cramming, we stumbled obnoxiously back to the Albertyn property, exactly where some of us sat in the living space exactly where I figured we’d watch a film. “We only have these two, and we’ve seen them a million times so you guys can pick, and we’ll play it on the tablet”. Tablet? I thought to myself. “What’s wrong with the Tv?” I asked in confusion, examining the turned-off Television on the cabinet subsequent to the non-operating fireplace. It was so cold that I could see my breath in the living area given that the property had no heat, and I considered attempting to force the fireplace to operate. “We don’t have any cable. Somebody purchased a DVD player but they took it with them when they left”.

I could hardly see the screen because I was tired, tipsy, and freezing, but didn’t want to look rude to my new mates. Ultimately my GBF (‘gay finest pal’) who decided to come with me on the trip last minute, got up and announced that he was going to bed. I plotted to adhere to suite and was about to stand up when a tall, dark and handsome guy came walking into the area. “Can you make a seat for me?” He mentioned in a thick, foreign accent to the Sam on my appropriate. Possibly I’ll keep a small longer. I thought to myself. Apparently GBF had the identical thought as well since he reappeared back into the living area seconds later. But my eyeballs couldn’t even focus on the screen, so I headed off to bed, producing a mental note to get up early to essentially do my hair in the morning ahead of orientation.

Where the volunteer property was compared to Cape Town city center

The route we took to walk to Primi, but only in groups of 3 or extra