Sunday, April 8, 2012

Alma Cafe etc.. a little late

So I wrote this post last week, however I guess it never got posted, so here goes. There will be another post within the next few days documenting my spring break trip. It might be lengthy, prepare yourself.


So last weekend was a blast. Friday night Alyssa, Alicia, and I went to this little venue nearby called Alma Cafe to see some live music. It’s just two roads over, and under the tracks, and I would have never expected what we found. I think it used to be a  general store, it was small and there was a counter with random goods behind it like food staples and cigarettes, and the small room was set up cafeteria style with tables and chairs, with a small stage in front. The bands playing were The Lentil Collective and Tombstone Pete, which were displayed on a chalkboard next to the stage. We walked in mid-set and all the seats were taken so we stood in the back. It almost felt like I had gone back in time a few decades. We were offered drinks and food from the waitress, who knew Alyssa, and were greeted by a man who I believe is the owners son. Lentil Collective was playing, and the genre is folk-tronica. It’s hard to imagine, but it was really good. The audience was mixed ages, from college students through senior citizens. Most people had gotten dinner or wine, but instead of talking or eating over the music, everyone was silent and respected the band. They were really talented, there were 3 band members, two young and very different, one a hippy the other a hipster, and an older man singing, who slightly resembled a scarecrow (in all the best ways). They played all originals, and although there wasn’t room for dancing the whole audience was moving in their seats to the rhythm. Tombstone Pete played after and I can’t even describe the music. Check it out for yourself. And if you would like to know more about the Cape Town Music scene, Alyssa has a fantastic blog about it.
LiveInTheNowNow.tmblr.com (it may be changing to wordpress soon, ill keep you updated.)

After the show we chatted with the bands and other music lovers outside the cafe for over an hour. We made a few friends who live on a farm in the Northern Suburbs, which I hear is absolutely beautiful.
Anyways, on saturday we had a cultural dinner with interstudy, which we started preparing at 9 am. It felt sort of like thanksgiving. Mack, one of the R.A.’s, had a few of his friends from different cultures in South Africa help cook the dinner. We all got to pitch in and the food was incredible. I dont know the names of everything but there was a fried dough type thing that went with mince, a beef stew that went with steamed bread, Chakalak which is like a bean/carrot/curry type thing, chicken liver, fried chicken, chicken stew type thing, a spinach thing, and so much more. Obviously very descriptive. I’ll find a picture to post. For desert there was a pudding thing and chocolate cake. It was like heaven.
Sunday there was a study abroad soccer tournament between 3 different programs. Unfortunately I had study but I hear we one a game.
This week has been really hectic, I had a test monday and two today. The one on monday went really well, the ones today not so much. School is intense here and the test taking process kinda sucks. On top of everything I also have a 10 page project due after break, so it would be nice to get it done by tomorrow.

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