Ryan Taylor, the man that started this story. About 18 months ago Ryan, who lives in our ward in Utah and is a very good friend, was assigned to South Africa with his employment with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints. During his visits to our home he would show us slides and detail his experiences, as well as share his love for the people of South Africa. It was as a direct result of his stories that led us to choose this beautiful place to serve our mission. He was asked to come for a month for work and ended up flying down from Johannesburg to spend the weekend with us.
We picked him up at the Cape Town International Airport on Saturday, February 18th about 9:30 am. After dropping off his luggage and showing him around our flat we drove to Mitchells Plain to see the elders and their boarding. A short walk down the street took us to Ruth Alfred's and her son Stephen's home. We were served some refreshing fruit juice, visited and left to pick up the elders. The next stop was to visit Joseph Smith, "Yes, you heard me right." Joseph is a very wonderful man with a most awesome conversion story. He was sleeping and his wife did not want to disturb him. We parted ways with the elders and headed for the beach. The view was incredible and after a very filling hamburger and chips (french fries) we headed home.
We only had enough time to head right to the office to pick up the van after getting lost for the umpteen million time. It was exciting to pick up Angela and her children, Beverly and Mark. They knew we were going somewhere but didn't know where.
TABLE MOUNTAIN. We first stopped at Signal Hill, took some pictures and then up we went. There is was! The cable car that would take us 3000 feet to the top of the mountain that would be where we would eat our dinner at a cafe. For a person that has agoraphobia this was probably that last of my choices, however, with Ryan only having one day to do something I felt this would be the best. What was I thinking??? One royal panic attach is all I can say. It was one thing to be in the cable car that could house up to 65 people but another to have to stand in it without holding on and have the car turning in a circle. Thank goodness in was only a 5 minute ride.
At the top we (I) edge my way to the cafe. The wind was blowing like no tomorrow, as you can see by the pictures. After we ate and everyone went their separate ways I gathered the courage to walk very slowly towards the edge. I took hold of the telescope and gripping it with all my strength edged step by step until I looked over the waist high wall. As I looked over the edge I could see the city of Cape Town below, the ocean and then the massive jagged cliffs that held what seemed like a tiny bit of existence on top of it's windy peek. Only another person with the fear of heights could possibly know what I was feeling. The sweaty palms, my heart racing and the petrifying feeling in the pit of my stomach. Overcoming fear is not easy. Would I do this again.............don't ask!!! Angela and the kids had a wonderful time, as well as Ryan and Elder Henderson for that it was worth it. Mark hung out with the boys while the girls talked. All in all it was a Great Day!
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| Welcome to Cape Town |
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| Beach at Mitchells Plain |
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| Beggar boys..they made off with a candy bar and some money, just too cute! |
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| Yummmmy |
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| Beverly, Mark & Angela |
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| Signal Hill and the Atlantic Ocean |
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| I can't believe this was my idea...... |
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| Looking down as we started up. |
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| I took a picture of myself by the edge.......yikes!!!!! Fake smile. |
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| Angela |
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| "Hang on tight dear, Ryan's got your back." |
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| Another fake smile |
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| Beverly |
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| I would have enjoyed this view if I hadn't been so scared. |
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| Ryan Taylor and President Brown, being funny! |
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| Ryan Taylor |
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| Thank you for the new Bibles Poplar Ward |
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| Talent, Sis Henderson, & Precious |
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| Talent, Sister Henderson, Precious & Elder Henderson |
Sunday's meeting was incredible. You could hear a pin drop as Ryan spoke in sacrament meeting. After, we present a handful with a new King James version of the Bible that Ryan brought from the Poplar Ward in Farr West Utah....thank you sweet ward family and friends. Pictures, playing with the kids, home again, Sunday dinner and a nap before Skyping home to the family. What a great weekend in Cape Town, South Africa.
WHO'S NEXT??
