Stellenbosch

On Monday we visited Stellenbosch, where Tom is a student at Stellenbosch University. The easiest way to do this was to sign up for a Winelands Tour, which includes a wine tasting and a tour of Stellenbosch. Our travel agency was happy to oblige us.

Stellenbosch is about 40 miles as the car drives from Cape Town. On the way out, Tom revealed to our driver, Danny Theron, that his service learning project occurs on the grounds of the Fairview winery. Tom is a leader in enrichment programs for children of the laborers who tend the grapes. The winery provides housing, a school and a playground for its workers. This is one of the few wineries that seeks to provide enrichment programs for the children of its labor force. This winery is the home of the Goats Do Roam label, which our friends Richard and Tlotlisang have brought over to our house in St. Paul in the past.

We enjoyed looking at the goats penned up next to the winery parking lot. There were three large billy goats will huge horns. Our driver kissed one of them, and then couldn't get the taste of goat out of his mouth for the rest of the trip.

After a wine and (goat) cheese tasting, we drove to Stellenbosch. Danny and Tom gave us a tour of the University, including the international building where Tom's classes are, and his dormitory. Tom took us to a pizza place where he and his buddies hang out. What a treat to be able to see up close the place where Tom will spend five weeks of his summer!