just another weekend in CT.

Hello! Let’s see, I’m not really sure where to start, things are still great here but seem so boring after a spring break of traveling.

Last week I celebrated on of my friends birthday’s, she had a braii at her house, and we went to this club/bar called Springbok’s after (it’s right next to the rugby stadium), and that was obviously fun. I finally found out the name of this Afrikaan song my friends and I are obsessed (because when the DJ played it I ran on stage and asked him the name and had him type it into my phone…I know I must have looked like such a cool American? But totally worth it.) Then Friday, my friends and I just hungout all day it in sleisbeck because it was gross and rainy and we party-hopped at night; that was really fun, we even crashed a party on campus at a club house being thrown by the yacht club (in attempt of meeting south Africans duh). Saturday, I woke up kind of early and went to old biscuit mill to “window show” and buy some delicious groceries (pesto, olives, bagles and fresh fruit yumm) and got a delicious lunch there too. Old Buiscut’s like a huge farmer’s market with really great fresh food and cool shopping too. Then Saturday night my friends and I went to Cabana lounge to watch the Madrid/Barcelona game (yay Barcelona!) and then went dancing at Tin Roof after. Tin is probably one of my favorite places in Cape Town, they play the most random music, including random 90’s hits and make remixes out of songs you would never expect (like Black Parade or Good Charlotte?) but it’s so much fun. Then Sunday, I woke up super early after only 3 hours of sleep, I know champ status : ) … to go “river rafting” with a bunch of CIEE kids. It was so much fun although not the intense experience we were expecting. We basically floated on a river for 4 hours and went over some very small rapids, it was still so much fun though and very relaxing. I got really bad sunburn though which was annoying but still worth it. After rafting we had a braai at this backpacker’s lodge and then drove home. I spent the rest of my weekend writing a paper yay but yea, all in all a great past couple of days. It’s been nice to finally be home and able to hangout with all my friends again, I missed them over spring break, which was only 10 days, I don’t even want to think about saying goodbyes in June…

This week 3 of my friends celebrate their 21st so basically we’re going out a lot…not really that excited because I would actually like to sleep at some point but Cape Town is way to much fun. I know I won’t go out as much when I get back to the states, it just isn’t as cool; I love meeting people in Cape Town and going out with my friends here…plus its really cheap so that’s great too.

OH AND I ALMOST FORGOT. Youngsfield Refugee Camp officially closed, and I really have no idea why. We were told it would take another year for the government to actually close the camp because it needed to be done under a separate court case and that legal process would take a while, but it closed last week, so basically I have no idea what happened to any of those families (and it honestly scares me to have to imagine what really did happen) but I don’t think I’ll be teaching Abdi anymore, I hope wherever he and his family are they’re safe.

And speaking of volunteering, I went back to Chosa today for the first time in almost a month! First, thank you thank you thank you, I basically can’t thank you enough if you contributed to Chosa in the fundraiser/competition last month. We won the contest and managed to raise almost 10,000 dollars (and another 4,000 is being donated because we won) so that was really exciting. Besides winning though, it was just great to finally go volunteer again. When I’m at chosa we spend the first 45 minutes just playing with the kids and then spend another hour or so teaching; I usually dread the first half because I’m not really a fan of being the kids jungle gyme… well today was os much fun I actually played with a bunch of little kids and just really enjoyed it. I wasn’t even having a bad day but those kids managed to make my day 100 times better? It was just so great. Then I spent an hour (after playing) reading with and helping one of the high school kids start a journal. Every one of them has a story to tell that would likely bring you to tears but they’re great, and I really enjoy getting to see them on a weekly basis. So volunteering was a great way to start of my week, and I’m excited for next Monday already (for once I’m looking forward to something after the weekend…this is a record!)

Ugh and I would kill for an issue of the New York Times…I’m so behind on current events it’s actually upsetting. Between Poland, Thailand and Kazakstan and who knows what else (those miners in the states?) I seriously am kind of disgusted with my lack of knowledge for current events, but at least I know what’s going on in Africa right?

Things to look forward too (besides life in general)

-Stacie’s 21st…one of my best friends here : ) and she’ doesn’t drink so we’re excited to finally take her out
-Sushi at Green point (is it sad this is on the list?)
-AfricaBurns next weekend
-Mozambique beach trip…it’s in the works
-Garden Route after exams (bungie, cage dive…maybe?)
-World Cup (duh) and all the madness that goes along with it, like sharing a house with my best friends for 10 days and celebrating my 21st the night of the US/UK game?

And I still need to hike devil’s peak and table mountain before it gets to cold and rainy!

Cheers!