1/28/09
I’ve reached the 10 day mark! And in celebration we did something awesome today-we went to Robben Island and it was incredible. We took a boat to the island, had a tour and then took the boat back (in total it was a 4 ½ hour trip) Our guide for the bus tour around the island was a former prisoner and his speech for the trip was really good. Besides explaining the history of the island and its prisons he taught us about the town (which I had no idea existed) and told anecdotes from other prisoners during apartheid. He also showed us the place where in 1995, one year after the prison closed, he and others had gathered for a reunion for its closing. One of the people from the group had picked up a rock and set it in the middle of a limestone quarry (where manual labor was done during imprisonment), each person followed by adding another rock to the pile. The rocks were all different shapes and sizes but the simple pile now serves as the official monument of South Africa’s democratic government. Our guide ended the tour by encouraging us to believe in the possibility of forgiveness and change. He spoke of educating our generation so that other nations can follow South Africa in using reconciliation to end conflict-it was really motivational and encouraging, especially because I’m studying peace and conflict resolution…and reconciliation is part of the foundation to that field.
After his ending speech, our group was dropped off in front of a prison. Our guide apologized explaining he couldn’t give prison tours because they are too painful but that another guide would be waiting for us inside to give the second half of our tour. The prison we were shown was the same prison where Nelson Mandela was kept. We got to see his prison cell, which was a lot smaller than I imagined, I think our guide said it was something like 2 x 2.5 meters…basically really tiny. After the prison tour we got back on the boat and returned to Cape Town. I can’t really explain how cool the tour was and I know it sounds really dumb to say it was inspirational but it really was AND it felt really good to finally do something authentic to Cape Town.
January 29, 2010
a few more posts...
So I like to post my blogs in bulk because I still don't have internet in my dorm (and its kind of expensive) hence a couple days-worth of thinking...but enjoy :)
Hey again! So I’m learning a lot about patience…
Yesterday, I woke up and as usual walked to the bathroom to wash-up, when I came back I realized that although I had left my door open, because my window was also open the wind had blown my door shut…locking me out. It wasn’t too early (9 AM) so I walked to my RA’s room’s room and asked for my key, she sent me to another RA’s room who told me that all the spare keys were on campus at our CIEE office. I was in my pajamas and really not too excited about this news because we had to pre-register for classes and then had our tickets to go to Robben Island in the afternoon, so basically I had to get a lot done in a few hours. Oh and I should also mention that my flatiron was turned on in my room so I was really worried about burning the whole flat down…I run back to my room, luckily my roommates awake, so she gives me some clothes to borrow because I’m still in my pajamas, and then I go to the CIEE office. At the office we sort through all the spare keys and realize 2 are missing, one of which is mine of course. We call all the RA’s on campus and finally find it in one of their purses meaning I have to run back to campus and finally 3 ½ hours later I can get back into my room, which luckily was not on fire.
Today we had to actually register for classes and unlike registering in America (on a computer) we have to stand in queues (lines) and physically sign up by meeting with a counselor. This took about 3 hours and then after signing up we had to get our ID cards for the semester, the line for this also took about 3 hours…but I cut so i only waited an hour and a half. Still, it was such a long morning. Registering for classes and then getting an ID card would probably take a half hour tops back at American but here it took all day. Like the Orientation staff likes to joke, we’re on African time…and things are much much slower.
1/29/09
I realized my blog posts are really random and usually don’t actually explain what I’ve been doing.
So far I’ve been to two beaches, Camps Bay and Muizmenbeerg. Camps Bay was beautiful, we went in the afternoon and sat on the rocks (jetty) to watch the sunset, then grabbed dinner. The beach was very touristy and also expensive (but with the currency it seemed cheap to us) but it was obvious that only a certain social class could afford traveling there. Muizenbeerg was a little different, we took the train there, which was quite the experience (and also free!). The beach is part of the Indian Ocean, so the water wasn’t quite as cold as Camps Bay and we were able to actually swim. But it was also scary because this beach has a lot of sharks (including great whites!), and although there are people that are official shark-watchers, I was still a little nervous. We went in the ocean but didn’t go out to far, which was probably a good thing because there was a shark siting and we all had to get out of the water. Still it was really neat and I’m pretty sure we’re going to go back again soon!
I’ve also been to the V & A waterfront, which is where we got to the boat to go to Robben Island. This area is also pretty ritzy and touristy but still a lot of fun. It reminded me of a much nicer (and larger) version of the Baltimore Inner Harbor.
And like I’ve already mentioned we’ve done plenty of bar hopping, which has been fun because I’ve gotten to see a decent mix of the different districts in Cape Town. We’ve been busy most days with orientation stuff so there hasn’t been much time to travel unless we were going out at night. We have next week off before classes start though so a few of us are renting a car and driving along the west coast. We’re planning to stop at a few beaches, a national park and possibly a vineyard and some random towns, and we’re going to stay at hostels so I’m really excited! It will be nice to get out of Cape Town and see a little more of South Africa.
Hey again! So I’m learning a lot about patience…
Yesterday, I woke up and as usual walked to the bathroom to wash-up, when I came back I realized that although I had left my door open, because my window was also open the wind had blown my door shut…locking me out. It wasn’t too early (9 AM) so I walked to my RA’s room’s room and asked for my key, she sent me to another RA’s room who told me that all the spare keys were on campus at our CIEE office. I was in my pajamas and really not too excited about this news because we had to pre-register for classes and then had our tickets to go to Robben Island in the afternoon, so basically I had to get a lot done in a few hours. Oh and I should also mention that my flatiron was turned on in my room so I was really worried about burning the whole flat down…I run back to my room, luckily my roommates awake, so she gives me some clothes to borrow because I’m still in my pajamas, and then I go to the CIEE office. At the office we sort through all the spare keys and realize 2 are missing, one of which is mine of course. We call all the RA’s on campus and finally find it in one of their purses meaning I have to run back to campus and finally 3 ½ hours later I can get back into my room, which luckily was not on fire.
Today we had to actually register for classes and unlike registering in America (on a computer) we have to stand in queues (lines) and physically sign up by meeting with a counselor. This took about 3 hours and then after signing up we had to get our ID cards for the semester, the line for this also took about 3 hours…but I cut so i only waited an hour and a half. Still, it was such a long morning. Registering for classes and then getting an ID card would probably take a half hour tops back at American but here it took all day. Like the Orientation staff likes to joke, we’re on African time…and things are much much slower.
1/29/09
I realized my blog posts are really random and usually don’t actually explain what I’ve been doing.
So far I’ve been to two beaches, Camps Bay and Muizmenbeerg. Camps Bay was beautiful, we went in the afternoon and sat on the rocks (jetty) to watch the sunset, then grabbed dinner. The beach was very touristy and also expensive (but with the currency it seemed cheap to us) but it was obvious that only a certain social class could afford traveling there. Muizenbeerg was a little different, we took the train there, which was quite the experience (and also free!). The beach is part of the Indian Ocean, so the water wasn’t quite as cold as Camps Bay and we were able to actually swim. But it was also scary because this beach has a lot of sharks (including great whites!), and although there are people that are official shark-watchers, I was still a little nervous. We went in the ocean but didn’t go out to far, which was probably a good thing because there was a shark siting and we all had to get out of the water. Still it was really neat and I’m pretty sure we’re going to go back again soon!
I’ve also been to the V & A waterfront, which is where we got to the boat to go to Robben Island. This area is also pretty ritzy and touristy but still a lot of fun. It reminded me of a much nicer (and larger) version of the Baltimore Inner Harbor.
And like I’ve already mentioned we’ve done plenty of bar hopping, which has been fun because I’ve gotten to see a decent mix of the different districts in Cape Town. We’ve been busy most days with orientation stuff so there hasn’t been much time to travel unless we were going out at night. We have next week off before classes start though so a few of us are renting a car and driving along the west coast. We’re planning to stop at a few beaches, a national park and possibly a vineyard and some random towns, and we’re going to stay at hostels so I’m really excited! It will be nice to get out of Cape Town and see a little more of South Africa.
Recap!
1/27/10
so here’s an update:
I’ve been in Cape Town for a full week (and one day!) now…
Things I really miss:
-iced coffee from the dav (and dunkin!) you’d think with warm weather iced coffee would be a necessity but I haven’t been to a café that makes it
-straightening my hair…ive given up completely
-classes, reading and homework-I’m such a nerd I know but I’m really dying for classes to start, I need a schedule and structure
-frat houses…well not real frats but Everett and AEPI and all the kids I hungout with there…bars are fun but I’d like to go to a party where I know everyone and am not concerned about losing stuff and getting mugged
Things I’m already obsessed with
-the weather and outdoors here (Table Mountain and 80 degree weather!)
-the new friends I’ve made
-the street culture, I didn’t think I’ll ever stop being entertained by the crazy cabs (and their shouters!) and random conversations with taxi drivers
Surprises…The fact that I don’t mind using a cold hose in the bathroom tub as a shower (might get annoying when it gets colder outside but its still quite entertaining). The general atmosphere of Cape Town; I still don’t feel like I’m in Africa, but then every once in a while something will surprise me and I’ll remember I’m not in the west. And most of all, how much people party here? I’m starting to feel guilty because I’ve been going to bars and clubs every night (which I can’t do in America because I’m not legal, and it’s a lot more expensive) but still I didn’t come here to party, hopefully when school starts I’ll get back into my regular routine of studying, running/being healthy and volunteering! Until then I’m going to enjoy meeting locals regardless of where its at, and going out, because once classes start I know it will stop! I’ve also learned a lot since arriving here…its different but its awesome!
so here’s an update:
I’ve been in Cape Town for a full week (and one day!) now…
Things I really miss:
-iced coffee from the dav (and dunkin!) you’d think with warm weather iced coffee would be a necessity but I haven’t been to a café that makes it
-straightening my hair…ive given up completely
-classes, reading and homework-I’m such a nerd I know but I’m really dying for classes to start, I need a schedule and structure
-frat houses…well not real frats but Everett and AEPI and all the kids I hungout with there…bars are fun but I’d like to go to a party where I know everyone and am not concerned about losing stuff and getting mugged
Things I’m already obsessed with
-the weather and outdoors here (Table Mountain and 80 degree weather!)
-the new friends I’ve made
-the street culture, I didn’t think I’ll ever stop being entertained by the crazy cabs (and their shouters!) and random conversations with taxi drivers
Surprises…The fact that I don’t mind using a cold hose in the bathroom tub as a shower (might get annoying when it gets colder outside but its still quite entertaining). The general atmosphere of Cape Town; I still don’t feel like I’m in Africa, but then every once in a while something will surprise me and I’ll remember I’m not in the west. And most of all, how much people party here? I’m starting to feel guilty because I’ve been going to bars and clubs every night (which I can’t do in America because I’m not legal, and it’s a lot more expensive) but still I didn’t come here to party, hopefully when school starts I’ll get back into my regular routine of studying, running/being healthy and volunteering! Until then I’m going to enjoy meeting locals regardless of where its at, and going out, because once classes start I know it will stop! I’ve also learned a lot since arriving here…its different but its awesome!
January 28, 2010
the flat.
1/24/10
Okay so here’s the DL on my flat. It’s weird. There’s 4 bedrooms, a kitchen/cooking area (no table or common room) and a bathroom BUT each room is totally different. Every room is a different size, has different furniture, and one of them even has a huge balcony. My room has no electrical outlets so anything that I want to charge I have to plug-in in our kitchen which is really strange. Also, we have no shower, only a bathtub with a hose attachment (which only works with cold water!) Apparently it’s common in south Africa for homes/dorms to only have a bathtub because most students come from areas where they bathe instead of showering (especially if their home is very rural). Regardless, I have a single bedroom, and it’s huge AND it has a beautiful view of table mountain so I’m pretty happy. I just have to get used to cold showers.
Oh and I have 3 roommates, one of whom is a friend from AU. The other two are both UTC students from South Africa and they seem pretty nice. Bane bragged about being a great cook so I"m excited for him to make an authentic dinner and Jabu plays really awesome music (well blasts actually) from his room every night and has promised to make a tape for us to spread some South African music to America. I think it's going to be a fun semester with these guys.
After moving in we went to the opening of the world cup stadium in cape town, which was marked with a match between two local cape town teams. The game went into overtime and penalty kicks and saphos, the team I was rooting for WON! So it was really awesome! It made me even more excited for the world cup, which I’ve decided I’m definitely staying for. I’ve met plenty of students who have said that they’re extending their rent for the summer so I’m welcome to sleep on the floor if I want to (which I’ll do!) I just want to see one game and experience the excitement once the games start!
Okay so here’s the DL on my flat. It’s weird. There’s 4 bedrooms, a kitchen/cooking area (no table or common room) and a bathroom BUT each room is totally different. Every room is a different size, has different furniture, and one of them even has a huge balcony. My room has no electrical outlets so anything that I want to charge I have to plug-in in our kitchen which is really strange. Also, we have no shower, only a bathtub with a hose attachment (which only works with cold water!) Apparently it’s common in south Africa for homes/dorms to only have a bathtub because most students come from areas where they bathe instead of showering (especially if their home is very rural). Regardless, I have a single bedroom, and it’s huge AND it has a beautiful view of table mountain so I’m pretty happy. I just have to get used to cold showers.
Oh and I have 3 roommates, one of whom is a friend from AU. The other two are both UTC students from South Africa and they seem pretty nice. Bane bragged about being a great cook so I"m excited for him to make an authentic dinner and Jabu plays really awesome music (well blasts actually) from his room every night and has promised to make a tape for us to spread some South African music to America. I think it's going to be a fun semester with these guys.
After moving in we went to the opening of the world cup stadium in cape town, which was marked with a match between two local cape town teams. The game went into overtime and penalty kicks and saphos, the team I was rooting for WON! So it was really awesome! It made me even more excited for the world cup, which I’ve decided I’m definitely staying for. I’ve met plenty of students who have said that they’re extending their rent for the summer so I’m welcome to sleep on the floor if I want to (which I’ll do!) I just want to see one game and experience the excitement once the games start!
finally feels like africa.
1/22/10
Today we went to visit 4 of the sites that we could possibly volunteer at this semester. All of the sites were located within townships right around Cape Town and simply driving to them was a lesson in itself. I knew a little about the townships but had no idea how large (or numerous) they were. It’s incredible. I can’t really describe how I felt driving by miles and miles of temporary (turned permanent) housing. These people survive in shacks constructed of whatever makeshift scraps available. When we drove through the townships you could see into the peoples houses, which they had surprisingly accommodated into actual homes with painted walls, decorations and furniture. Most of the roads were paved too, which were a reminder of how the townships have become permanent. I couldn’t even imagine living there my entire life but for most residents the township becomes you’re only world and your lucky if you ever get out of the community. I learned a lot about the school systems too, the teachers are usually underpaid and disrespected as well as unqualified to teach. Driving through we mostly saw children running around or wandering. The only adults we saw were those selling things in small shops or markets but for the most part it was only children. I didn’t understand how South Africa, which is supposed to be a first world nation, could have such a high rate of crime, domestic violence and rape (the highest of each in the world) along with extremely high percentages of TB and HIV/AIDS, but driving the townships made it very obvious. These are the places were all of those things are present because when you lack basic necessities, you’ll do anything to survive, and basic pleasures that we take for granted in America become something worth risking your life (or conducting a crime) for. It just insane.
The organizations that we saw today mostly did work to help children in the area. There as an orphanage that took in people of all ages and race, and took care of them; teaching life and survival skills so that once these individual are prepared they can re-enter the world. The orphanage looked a lot better off than most of the townships we saw and I could easily understand how when someone entered they wouldn’t want to leave. We also went to a center for people with HIV. Having HIV in South Africa is taboo, people don’t understand how its spread and most believe that it is contagious. As a result those infected are completely ostracized. This place offered English classes and cared for children with HIV, giving them somewhere to go where they wouldn’t be frowned upon. The other two organizations we visited were schools for children in the townships. I have no idea which place I want to volunteer at because they all sound pretty amazing. I also have the opportunity to volunteer at a refugee camp, which is a safe haven for Somali, Congolese and other African internationals that aren’t welcome in Cape Town because of xenophobia.
I picked South Africa because it’s supposed to be the most westernized country on the continent (not including northern Africa) and I wanted to feel safe abroad-assuming I could later experience areas of extreme poverty when I volunteered with the peace corp. I was so incredibly wrong about the economic background of this country and although I’m living in a tourist destination the realities of millions of people living in dire poverty is only miles away. I think I’m going to learn at lot this semester but I’ll probably leave Cape Town more confused and frustrated than I was when I arrived just a few days ago.
Today we went to visit 4 of the sites that we could possibly volunteer at this semester. All of the sites were located within townships right around Cape Town and simply driving to them was a lesson in itself. I knew a little about the townships but had no idea how large (or numerous) they were. It’s incredible. I can’t really describe how I felt driving by miles and miles of temporary (turned permanent) housing. These people survive in shacks constructed of whatever makeshift scraps available. When we drove through the townships you could see into the peoples houses, which they had surprisingly accommodated into actual homes with painted walls, decorations and furniture. Most of the roads were paved too, which were a reminder of how the townships have become permanent. I couldn’t even imagine living there my entire life but for most residents the township becomes you’re only world and your lucky if you ever get out of the community. I learned a lot about the school systems too, the teachers are usually underpaid and disrespected as well as unqualified to teach. Driving through we mostly saw children running around or wandering. The only adults we saw were those selling things in small shops or markets but for the most part it was only children. I didn’t understand how South Africa, which is supposed to be a first world nation, could have such a high rate of crime, domestic violence and rape (the highest of each in the world) along with extremely high percentages of TB and HIV/AIDS, but driving the townships made it very obvious. These are the places were all of those things are present because when you lack basic necessities, you’ll do anything to survive, and basic pleasures that we take for granted in America become something worth risking your life (or conducting a crime) for. It just insane.
The organizations that we saw today mostly did work to help children in the area. There as an orphanage that took in people of all ages and race, and took care of them; teaching life and survival skills so that once these individual are prepared they can re-enter the world. The orphanage looked a lot better off than most of the townships we saw and I could easily understand how when someone entered they wouldn’t want to leave. We also went to a center for people with HIV. Having HIV in South Africa is taboo, people don’t understand how its spread and most believe that it is contagious. As a result those infected are completely ostracized. This place offered English classes and cared for children with HIV, giving them somewhere to go where they wouldn’t be frowned upon. The other two organizations we visited were schools for children in the townships. I have no idea which place I want to volunteer at because they all sound pretty amazing. I also have the opportunity to volunteer at a refugee camp, which is a safe haven for Somali, Congolese and other African internationals that aren’t welcome in Cape Town because of xenophobia.
I picked South Africa because it’s supposed to be the most westernized country on the continent (not including northern Africa) and I wanted to feel safe abroad-assuming I could later experience areas of extreme poverty when I volunteered with the peace corp. I was so incredibly wrong about the economic background of this country and although I’m living in a tourist destination the realities of millions of people living in dire poverty is only miles away. I think I’m going to learn at lot this semester but I’ll probably leave Cape Town more confused and frustrated than I was when I arrived just a few days ago.
1/21/10
I finally went for a run today! It was beautiful, campus is on a mountain so I ran with a boy from my o. group and we found some trails that ran alongside the highway and shouldered the mountain it was awesome. I feel a little better, it had been 4 days since I last ran which is kind of gross. I’m going to join the road runners club here and hopefully do some races, maybe even a half marathon, who knows? Regardless it felt great to do something normal and routine. We had a scavenger hunt today around campus and I saw upper campus-it was phenomenal. I can’t believe I’m at this school, beautiful doesn’t even begin to describe how it looks, I need to take pictures once classes start!
I finally went for a run today! It was beautiful, campus is on a mountain so I ran with a boy from my o. group and we found some trails that ran alongside the highway and shouldered the mountain it was awesome. I feel a little better, it had been 4 days since I last ran which is kind of gross. I’m going to join the road runners club here and hopefully do some races, maybe even a half marathon, who knows? Regardless it felt great to do something normal and routine. We had a scavenger hunt today around campus and I saw upper campus-it was phenomenal. I can’t believe I’m at this school, beautiful doesn’t even begin to describe how it looks, I need to take pictures once classes start!
I thought this might be a good idea…
1/20
To Do List for the semester:
-learn an African language, ideally xhousa (the one with the clicks!)
-travel to Zimbabwe!
-befriend UTC students (and international students as well)
-participate in a fulfilling volunteering project
-sand surf in Namibia
-see the Big 5 (and giraffes!) as well as penguins at boulder beach
-Robben Island.
-stay for the opening of the world cup
-travel the garden route
-hike Table Mountain and Lion’s Head
-join the UTC running club and run a half marathon
-learn some new cooking skills/recipes from my African roommates
-shop at an authentic African market
-see a rugby game (and maybe learn how the sport and cricket work)
-travel to a township and actually interact with people there
-learn about the political system in South Africa
-shark cage dive (it might help getting over that fear…)
-bungee jump or sky dive (the highest point in the world is in SA!)
…and keep a decent GPA of course
It’s a lot but I know it’s definitely possible! And I’ll probably continue to add to this throughout the semester
To Do List for the semester:
-learn an African language, ideally xhousa (the one with the clicks!)
-travel to Zimbabwe!
-befriend UTC students (and international students as well)
-participate in a fulfilling volunteering project
-sand surf in Namibia
-see the Big 5 (and giraffes!) as well as penguins at boulder beach
-Robben Island.
-stay for the opening of the world cup
-travel the garden route
-hike Table Mountain and Lion’s Head
-join the UTC running club and run a half marathon
-learn some new cooking skills/recipes from my African roommates
-shop at an authentic African market
-see a rugby game (and maybe learn how the sport and cricket work)
-travel to a township and actually interact with people there
-learn about the political system in South Africa
-shark cage dive (it might help getting over that fear…)
-bungee jump or sky dive (the highest point in the world is in SA!)
…and keep a decent GPA of course
It’s a lot but I know it’s definitely possible! And I’ll probably continue to add to this throughout the semester
January 27, 2010
HOWZIT?
1/19/10
This was the longest flight of my entire life. And I barely slept! Maybe a whole 2 hours (out of 23 hours in and out of airports/on planes!) But I’m finally in Cape Town…AFRICA! People drive on the other side of the road here and don’t understand why anyone would be a vegetarian? So basically I’m weird to all the RAs and locals haha Cappachinos are mega cheap, 5 rands (which is less than 1$!) and the people are really nice. Kind of crazy but that’s probably a good thing…The alcohol here has less proof (I learned the hard way by ordering a “strong” drink that ended up tasting like regular punch, and when I asked the bartender he laughed and showed me the bottle and explained us Americans are crazy and like are alcohol proof so high that it doesn’t even taste like liquor anymore,oops! Classes need to start-I need structure, and goals and something to motivate me! It doesn’t quite feel like Africa, although we passed the townships on the way to the campus and they were a stark reminded of the inequality here, still I don’t feel like I’m in another hemisphere. I’m really tired, the jet-lag is finally hitting me, I’ll write more tomorrow!
This was the longest flight of my entire life. And I barely slept! Maybe a whole 2 hours (out of 23 hours in and out of airports/on planes!) But I’m finally in Cape Town…AFRICA! People drive on the other side of the road here and don’t understand why anyone would be a vegetarian? So basically I’m weird to all the RAs and locals haha Cappachinos are mega cheap, 5 rands (which is less than 1$!) and the people are really nice. Kind of crazy but that’s probably a good thing…The alcohol here has less proof (I learned the hard way by ordering a “strong” drink that ended up tasting like regular punch, and when I asked the bartender he laughed and showed me the bottle and explained us Americans are crazy and like are alcohol proof so high that it doesn’t even taste like liquor anymore,oops! Classes need to start-I need structure, and goals and something to motivate me! It doesn’t quite feel like Africa, although we passed the townships on the way to the campus and they were a stark reminded of the inequality here, still I don’t feel like I’m in another hemisphere. I’m really tired, the jet-lag is finally hitting me, I’ll write more tomorrow!
January 18, 2010
almost there
Hello!
Okay this is my first blog post so bare with me. I'm currently sitting in the lobby of a holiday inn express about a mile from the airport...its 9 PM there is absolutely no where to go (its pouring and the place is only surrounded by other hotels...) and my family is watching desperate housewives.
My flight tomorrow is at 10:30 but its 16 hours...and then I have another connecting flight that's also 2 hours long so basically I don't want to sleep at all tonight so I can do that tomorrow all day, but seeing as how I'm stuck in a hotel I don't think that plan's going to work out very well.
I at least wanted to get this blog set up so I wasn't playing with it once I'm actually in Cape Town (and internet isn't free) so at least this is done :)
I'm studying abroad at the university of Cape Town (in South Africa). I've got two weeks of solid orientations to look forward too before classes start, which should be filled with some traveling too! The semester goes until June 5th but I'm hoping to stay for another week so I can see the opening of the World Cup (June 11th) and celebrate my 21st (June 13th). So here's to 5 months in a completely new hemisphere! I'm not even nervous yet, that might kick in on the plane tomorrow but as of right now its all pure excitement!
I promise my next post will be more exciting seeing as how I will actually be in Africa, but until then...
Okay this is my first blog post so bare with me. I'm currently sitting in the lobby of a holiday inn express about a mile from the airport...its 9 PM there is absolutely no where to go (its pouring and the place is only surrounded by other hotels...) and my family is watching desperate housewives.
My flight tomorrow is at 10:30 but its 16 hours...and then I have another connecting flight that's also 2 hours long so basically I don't want to sleep at all tonight so I can do that tomorrow all day, but seeing as how I'm stuck in a hotel I don't think that plan's going to work out very well.
I at least wanted to get this blog set up so I wasn't playing with it once I'm actually in Cape Town (and internet isn't free) so at least this is done :)
I'm studying abroad at the university of Cape Town (in South Africa). I've got two weeks of solid orientations to look forward too before classes start, which should be filled with some traveling too! The semester goes until June 5th but I'm hoping to stay for another week so I can see the opening of the World Cup (June 11th) and celebrate my 21st (June 13th). So here's to 5 months in a completely new hemisphere! I'm not even nervous yet, that might kick in on the plane tomorrow but as of right now its all pure excitement!
I promise my next post will be more exciting seeing as how I will actually be in Africa, but until then...
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