Week 15 - "Above is the summer moon..."

Summer has set in and schools have let out, so as we make our way deeper into advent, things are getting pretty quiet here in the Anglican Students’ Federation office. The chaplains’ conference is usually the last big show of the calendar year, so now that that’s done we’re looking towards the 2011 provincial student conference, which will be for one week in June next year. My boss, Odwa, the ASF organizer, and I will probably be going to Limpopo, the future conference site, in January to start more planning. Around that time, students will start to come back and I’ll be able to help out with Bible studies and such again, but for now, it’s pretty quiet here.

Still, since it’s Christmas season in Cape Town, there’s no shortage of exciting things going on. A few weeks ago, I went with some new friends to see the Christmas lights come on in the city bowl; it reminded me of the tree-lighting ceremony in Watchung, where I grew up – only, you know, a WHOLE lot bigger (oh, and there wasn’t some gorgeous pine tree all ugly-ed up with vertical lights, but you know…).

There's definitely no shortage of gorgeousness around here...

Silvermine

Very near where I live in the suburbs, in a carefully position right by the mountain, is the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.    I’ve gotten to see a bit of its gorgeousness on a couple of occasions.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

While Longwood Gardens back home is getting all lit up and featuring Christmas music, Kirstenbosch is kicking off its summer concert series! Every Sunday, they feature a different artist live in a special pavilion area in the park. Sweeping up from the pavilion is big grassy hill with a few small seating areas off to the side. The vast majority of concert-goers bring a blanket, a picnic supper, and a bottle of wine – which is exactly what Suzanne, Amanda, and I did this past Sunday when we went to see Mango Groove in concert. I hadn’t heard much about Mango Groove before and only had a two-day crash course from Suzanne’s CDs, but the show was AMAZING! The energy of the show and of the crowd was awesome, and the music made me just want to get up and dance. Sitting on a grassy hill in the sunshine only added to the ambiance; it was so much better than sitting in bleachers in a stadium.

Mango Groove Concert

This Sunday, we have tickets to see Freshly Ground (who sang the “Wacka Wacka/This Time for Africa” with Shakira)!
Sometimes, it’s difficult to remember that it’s December when I’m wearing shorts or applying sunblock or missing air conditioning. Also, for the first time, advent’s “light in the darkness” themes aren’t reflected by a season of shortening days leading up to 21 December, the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere.  Still, it’s Christmas, and one of my favorite times of year! I love the “waiting for the light” theme of advent and listening to Christmas music (although it did seem kinda funny to me to hear “Winter Wonderland” playing in the mall), and while I miss my family this time of year… ;-)

 I’m so excited for Christmas here – and the YASCer visitors that it will soon be bringing!

PS  – Let’s go Blue Hens! I hope there’s a football victory to celebrate when I wake up on Saturday!