Thanksgiving in Cape Town

I have to admit I wondered what it would be like to spend Thanksgiving Day in South Africa, away from family and no turkey dinner!  

Well, it was awesome! We started the day off super early with a "Turkey Trot"  up Table Mountain.  

 I think we all looked at this mountain and wondered how we were going to get up it.  Everyone we talked to described the hike as "strenuous"....and well it was.  We literally climbed up the side of it, one step after another.  It was definitely the most difficult hike I think I have ever done (completely up hill) but it was totally worth it! 

We stopped along the way to take in the view and marvel at God's creation 

 With Adrianna, Kara, and Ricky as we approached the top

 The path we climbed

 Lion's Head

 The big round structure is the stadium that was built for the world Cup. the hostel we stayed in all week was across the street from this stadium

 Looking down at the city of Cape Town from the mountain

 I think I might have mentioned this before, but 5 of us from my fellowship group went on this trip.  It was so great to partner with these girls.  We have been in a group together for a long time, but I feel like our relationships grew so much deeper during this trip. So incredibly thankful for these girls!  

Amy, Joanna, Katherine, Me, and Erin

 The Team when we got to the top (minus David, Lindy, and Liz who didn't cimb)!  Unfortunately it was super cold and windy at the top so we didn't stay long, but we did manage to snap a few pics!  We also spent some time praying for Cape Town as we looked down on the city.  

The plan all along was to climb up the mountain and then take the cable car down.  When we got almost to the top we were informed by another climber that the cable card had been shut down due to strong winds.  Guess this meant we were climbing down!  But we made it and it was so worth it. My legs felt like jello for hours after it, but we survied!  and now we can say we climbed one of the 7 wonders of the world.  

 

After conquering the climb, we went down to the market to do some shopping.  I didn't take many pictures (due to the stress attack I was having from all the vendors trying to get me to buy stuff) but I did snap a pic of these girls doing some African dancing!

Even though I was a little ball of stress at the end, I did walk away with some good market finds for my family and friends.  

After the market we had a couple hours of free time before our next scheduled event so Leah, Perryn, Katherine, and I hit up the beach.  Gotta soak up as much of this beautiful place as possible!  

We decided that since we were missing Thanksgiving dinner with our families, we would do something special with our South Africa family!  

Thus we decided to do a big South African Braai with Point Community!  

 A Braai is similar to what a bbq is in America, but they have some variety of meat and cook it in a little bit different way.  They also always serve Pap at braais, which is a starch you eat with your hands.   

It was so great to connect with the Point Community congregation and celebrate our Thanksgiving holiday with them!  

We also celebrated Perryn and Lindy's birthday

 With Joanna at the Braai

With Amy and Perryn

 

 Although it was a very different type of Thanksgiving,  I really think it might have been one of my favorites! We went to bed that night exhausted from a full day and with hearts full of thanksgiving.  We all said this would be a Thanksgiving we would never forget.