Markets

Well these past 3 weeks in kids club we have been doing Kingdom Crusades. A team from the states came and introduced this curriculum to us and these past few weeks was when we decided to do it. So on Mondays and Wednesdays we were in the Castle Container in the far land of Overcome Heights then on Tuesday and Thursday we were in the Capricron Castle. The kids seem to get a kick out of it. The first day we kicked it off we had Ivan and Holden dress up in clothes and talk like they were from those times. 

Holden wasn't too thrilled but the kids loved it...and thats obviously all that matters! 

Well throughout these 3 weeks I was in charge of the different crafts that we had. I usually get this job which is always fun! So throughout the weeks we made a garment for the kids to wear kind of like the green one Ivan is wearing, but there's was made from paper. Then we made some shields to use when they go into battle against the evil ones. Made a flag to represent their throne and last but certainly not least, a crown. On the last day we have a big todo and gave them certificates just to make it different. They got to wear there stuff and walk down in front of everyone and show off the stuff they made. It was a fun 3 weeks for sure. We have some creative kids.

 Josh and his shield 

 Sibusiso and Adrian showing off their flags 

:LAST DAY:

&& this is when the kids got their certificate. This was out in Overcome 

&& this is in Capricorn 

Certificate the kids received 

 && there's the past few weeks of club! I can't believe it's already September. Only have so many more weeks left with these kiddos. 5 weeks to be exact! Then me and Jennifer are taking off for 2 weeks to go on a little road trip around South Africa just to be able to see more of the country we call home. Then once that trip is done it'll be right around time for us to pack up and head back to Texas! 

Well yesterday Jennifer and myself decided to get out and do something productive on our Saturday considering we have so many left. We went out to the Hout Bay market. It was nice walked around for a bit and just hung out with alot of white people. not impressed to be honest. I did however get a new computer case which was much needed! It is from old tshirts and was made by a group of ladies in one of the townships around here. So that alone pretty much sold me on it...besides the fact that its awesome! Im excited about this purchase. 

Anyways so we drive into Cape Town to go to Green Market Square. I have been here a few times and this was Jennifer's first time. Now this is one of those markets where you can't look at something for too long or you'll be bombarded with sellers. && heaven forbid DO NOT POINT! haha it's a blast. I understand how people can get really flustered and annoyed in these settings but I love it. 

I went in their with no intentions on buying anything but that didn't last long. Came out with a few things that I really do like. After awhile Jennifer made it known that being in there drains her. I just laughed and started letting vendors know she was the one with the money and looking for stuff not me. haha awful I know but entertaining to say the least. I love talking to the people in these markets. One guy tried to get me to buy this little metal guinea fowl. Now what in the world would I do with that I asked him, he just told me it would look nice on a shelf or something. After pleading with me I still told him thats ridiculous I would never want this...in a nice way of course, im not mean. He put his arm around me and did the whole it's been a bad day for me spill, you get alot. I just smiled at him and said you couldn't pay me to take this. He just laughed. Then we just talked about stuff...where I was from, why I am here. Once he found out I was living here he told me I got the 'local price' which actually made him knock off 50 rand! But still didn't get it. 

My favorite thing you hear walking through is 'looking is free' EVERYONE says it. I told Jennifer if I were one of those vendors I'd have my own catch phrase..be more original than copying everyone else. We then tried to think of things to say and got no where...let's be honest I'd probably go along with the looking is free line. I made fun of a few people who were saying it. They would laugh and thats just how we would begin talking. You have to have fun in these places or you will get stressed out. When Kaden and Karaline were here I took them to this market. Kaden bought a belt from this guy and we were at his little booth for awhile because kaden had to bargain. 

 This is him. Anyways yesterday when we were walking through I walked by his booth saw him but didn't expect him to look twice at me. But as I was walking by he saw me and said HEY! I know you! I just looked at him and smiled. He asked where Kaden was and I told him he was back in America. Then another guy I bought a bag from last time walked up and said hey! do you still like your bag? It was really surprising to me when they remembered who I was because it was at least a month ago and you'd think they see so many faces a day that I would just be another one in the crowd. But I stayed and talked to both of them for a good while. The guy I bought my bag from asked when I would be back...I told him maybe next Saturday. He told me to please come because he was going to make something for me to bring home in 2 months. So who knows I may or may not get to go this next week but if I do curious to see if he actually does make something...and if he does, am I going to have to pay for it? Another fun encounter I had was with this Rasta guy named Max. He was a 'painter' which really means he sold paintings he got. All of them say they paint the ones they're selling...then you'll go to a few booths over and see the exact painting. I call them out on it and most of the time they change the subject. And once again...it's all in good fun. I do it to make conversation not to nag on them! But this rasta guy was named Max. We talked for a good while, he even invited me and jennifer out for some drinks. Actually come to think of it we got asked out by another guy too. He told us his birthday was in a few days and he was having a party and we needed to come. not going to happen...but nice to know were invited haha. But back to Max, he pointed out some paintings and one caught my eye and its like he knew it did because he picked it up and was like I'll give you a good price because were friends now. I got it. No idea what I'll do with it, but I reall like it. It wasn't like any of the others I saw and I love the pop of color. 

there it is. :] 

So anyways that was our Saturday outing. Hopefully we will make it back there this Saturday. I told Jennifer I would go out there with a chair and just move from vendor to vendor to talk to them. Weird maybe but I would enjoy myself. 

OHHHH another part that made this day fantastic was lunch. We went to this place called Da vincis, which is where we always eat when were in town. Anyways Jennifer was talking about stuff and for some reason we got onto the topic of the stock yards. Now Jennifer is from Texas...but she's not Texan! if that makes any sense at all. Well she's never been to the stock yards and knows how much I love it so she was asking me about it. I kid you not when I started telling her what it was she said...'so it isn't dirt roads and hay with cows and other animals?' I just put my hand on my forehead. She laughed and said she was very serious. LUCKILY this place has paper for its tablecloth and a jar of crayons so I gave her a little tutorial about what she's missing out on. 

After I was done she told me since she's been living with me, she's become more proud of being from Texas. AWESOME. lunch made! She actually wants to go buy some cowboy boots when she get home because she's NEVER owned a pair. She want's to go two-steppin and I've come in the room a few times to hear her playing country music...which didn't happen before we moved here. So if I have done nothing right...at least I did that! 

Hope all yall are happy && healthy. 

See you guys NEXT MONTH. 

mind.blown.