10.25.11 Bo Kaap Homestay!

Five days into my Bo Kaap homestay and I’m loving it! We went on a walking tour of Bo Kaap this past Thursday, learning about the history of this predominantly “Coloured” and Muslim neighborhood just a few blocks from Cape Town’s City Center. We visited the first mosque in Southern Africa, saw rows of colorful houses, and ended the tour meeting our new host-families. I have a mother (Raldi), a father (Anwar), and 3 siblings: Sham (16), Heema (12), and Beera (8). They have an apartment at the top of Bo Kaap, making for a gorgeous view of the city – off their balcony we can see the water, Table Mountain, and a lot of the city! Although my family practices Islam, I do not need to cover my head or dress in a particular way. They have been incredibly welcoming and accommodating! I am definitely learning a lot more about Muslim culture and the Islamic faith. Each day the call for prayer sounds throughout the neighborhood from numerous mosques several times a day. Last night we watched a National Geographic documentary entitled “Inside Mecca.” I knew before that one of the five pillars of Islam is a pilgrimage to Mecca, but I never realized what an intensive process the visit itself is – involving 5 days of rituals.

My mother loves “gospel” music, which in her vocabulary means all Christian music. She knows Mary Mary songs and even “You Raise Me Up.” She has training in first aid (which helped with a weird spider bite I have) and is an amazing cook (curry, mac&cheese, chicken, and traditional Muslim food)! I feel like a royal guest in their home – particularly when the youngest daughter sneaks in and makes my bed while I’m in the shower, or when the mom does my laundry without even asking! The two daughters (Heema and Beera) love music – in particular Backstreet Boys and Celine Dion! They can’t believe I don’t know all the words to Celine Dion’s songs when they play the karaoke videos on their tv! The brother loves listening to my ipod and has taken a great interest in Lecrae’s music. The father sings in an incredibly talented Malay Choir, which trains 6 months of the year and competes in festivals. All in all – THEY LOVE MUSIC! The second night in their home, the father turned to me and asked me to sing something. I paused and asked what I should sing. I sang a bit of a Dreamgirl’s song and the dad said: O stop, you’re going to make me cry!