Day 2

South African Airlines Flight SA221 touched down at 10:25 am  local time at Cape Town International airport  exactly on time. We have arrived! We had already caught a glimpse of Cape Town and the surrounding land as we had approached from the south east flying over Gordons’ Bay and the Cape Flats before landing. Our hope for a fly past over Table Mountain did not happen but we will be going up it on Sunday. On landing it  is not all that hot and there are some clouds gathering but we know understand they will burn off. However seventeen degrees is better than the three degrees we left in.

We reunite with our luggage, clear customs and are met by Mr Yusuf Abrahams (Principal) , Meyrick (hosting Jac) and Aqeem (hosting Gareth). They instantly put us at ease and are so welcoming. The girls’ hosts, Chantell (hosting Charlie) and Paxton (hosting Alice) are waiting in school. We see why the two boys come along as they effortless lift heavy cases but knowingly underweight into the minibus trailer.

After a twenty minute drive we arrive at Macassar High School to be greeted by a welcoming party singing the school song and South African National anthem. Any doubts of nervousness are instantly dispelled. The singing is heartfelt, very harmonic and we are highly impressed and honoured. We then meet the educators (teachers) and watch the informal rehearsals for the Valentines, ball which will be held this very evening. We make an almost cameo royal appearance on the balcony overlooking the main outdoor rehearsals. The microphone is passed down the line and on this occasion it is Jac who claims the loudest cheer.  You can feel the excitement of the whole school on a significant annual event with all the learners (learners) and note that the temperature is rising.

School finishes early on Friday’s at 1:00 pm and we then go off to meet our hosts and their families. We met up later in the evening for the Valentines ball, which includes a talent show and the crowning of “Macassar High’s Mr and Mrs Valentine 2010”. It is a wonderful evening and one of the dance groups could easily trounce anything “Britain’s Got Talent!” The evening finishes about 11:00 pm and then it is off on a late night tour of Macassar as everyone is dropped off at their host families. It is a routine, which we know will become a familiar part of our stay. The journey on this occasion takes longer as we stop and have a long chat with each of the host learners.  We have enjoyed our first day in South Africa.