That's a wrap, UCT.
Yesterday I successfully, and painfully, completed my last final exam. All I have to say is, I burned a lot of my materials, donated my textbooks, got the heck out of UCT, and not looking back.
I went out with some good girlfriends for some celebratory drinks with dinner, then out to the typical Wednesday night spot where we were joined by many other American friends. Great night out to conclude a ridiculous semester of academics.
Today was probably one of my favorite days in Cape Town. However it got off to a very rough start...
When I booked my flights to and from South Africa, I scheduled it from Washington DC to Johannesburg then to Cape Town. When I leave South Africa, I will already by in Joburg. I called the airline over a month ago, before I started planning my last adventure, and I was told not being on the Cape Town flight wouldn't be a problem, all I had to do was go to the airport ticket sales and tell them. I called the airport this morning to double check the protocol, well apparently not. I was told I couldn't miss my Cape Town flight or I'd be bumped from all of it. Clearly I had a problem. After a little arguing and calling back fifteen minutes later to speak to a different representative, I was told I could just go to the airport and even though it was against protocol, they would take care of it for me. So, that's what I did. Spent my morning all around town running errands, and also going to the airport. What a relief to have that taken care of!
I got home and my housemate Joe and I and a couple of buddies headed to the beach. All of us were done with finals and had the day to just relax. Clifton is a great beach town with an appeal for the younger, white, wealthier demographic. You don't see many ferraris in Cape Town, and I saw one in Clifton. The sand is just pure white, and the ocean water is a gorgeous green-blue. With Lion's Head peak sloping into the town setting a great backdrop, it is absolutely one of the most beautiful parts of Cape Town. Of course numerous yachts cruised by as we all stared and wondered if we made the effort to swim out, if they'd let us on. As the day progressed more and more people from our program came to join, bringing in a really great crew. Playing frisbee, jumping into the freezing water, telling stories, sharing beers, it was an awesome day. Days like today I wish I had more of while I was here in Cape Town.
And now, I'm packing.
It's a crazy feeling I'm actually about to leave this place. Words can't really describe how I'm feeling, but I still struggle wrapping my head around the fact that I lived in Cape Town, South Africa for four months.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Day 119
Election day. Quite an interesting experience observing the hype from another continent. The gym is definitely the local hotspot for people to ask me about U.S. politics. The TV screens all around the gym were featuring election coverage, even before most Americans were awake. Everyone here seems to have an opinion, even if they're only supporting Obama because he's "black". It's really interesting though what people have to say about our politics, especially since South African politics are really messed up. The think the democratic party is the obvious choice and that all republicans are stupid. I might slightly agree with that, but there is a lot more behind the scenes about how the two party system works and the good points the republican party does make. They also don't understand the system of checks and balances. I was trying to explain to someone how the President can't do whatever he wants because Congress has to sign off on it, so even though the Democrats are in office doesn't mean everything will be dictated as so.
I ran on the treadmill today watching the coverage of Barak and Michelle greeting crowds and Mr and Mrs Romney walking through their parade of reds, very tempted to throw my hands in the air and cheer, but I didn't.
People here are very interested in asking how we, as Americans plan to vote. First of all they don't see that as a personal discussion that is generally not publicly discussed, but South African's have little shame in general so it's not surprising they don't understand the cultural difference. But every time I say I support Obama, I get a very positive reaction. My favorite though was when someone asked me who I was voting for in the U.S. election, I said Obama, and then he asked me if I was from Canada. Someone missed their basic geography lesson. Actually I get asked if I'm Canadian a lot. Apparently it's because of the accent. Go figure.
It's a little after 7:30 PM, and I always know when it's 7 because I hear the Muslim prayer a couple blocks over. Don't get much of that in Edina.
I ran on the treadmill today watching the coverage of Barak and Michelle greeting crowds and Mr and Mrs Romney walking through their parade of reds, very tempted to throw my hands in the air and cheer, but I didn't.
People here are very interested in asking how we, as Americans plan to vote. First of all they don't see that as a personal discussion that is generally not publicly discussed, but South African's have little shame in general so it's not surprising they don't understand the cultural difference. But every time I say I support Obama, I get a very positive reaction. My favorite though was when someone asked me who I was voting for in the U.S. election, I said Obama, and then he asked me if I was from Canada. Someone missed their basic geography lesson. Actually I get asked if I'm Canadian a lot. Apparently it's because of the accent. Go figure.
It's a little after 7:30 PM, and I always know when it's 7 because I hear the Muslim prayer a couple blocks over. Don't get much of that in Edina.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Day 117
Yesterday marked the beginning of the end.
From here on out, every day in Cape Town is my last of that day.
On Friday night, a few of the housemates wanted to go out to dinner. I wasn't at all hungry, but I thought I'd enjoy the company so I decided to join them. We went out to this delicious hole in the wall joint in Observatory, here known as Obz, just one neighborhood over. The conversation at my end of the table focused on travel and outdoor adventures, sharing stories from our trips to Montana, Alaska, Colorado, Wyoming, etc. Definitely made me miss our family trips to Alaska, yet really reminded me how thankful I am for having experienced these adventures.
Once we got home majority of the house was just hanging out in the living room, chatting and listening to music late into the night. It was one of those nights that made me realize though I find myself very different from the rest of my housemates, we are all extremely different from each other and can learn from our differences.
Saturday morning was my last trip to Old Biscuit Mill. Even though every time I go it's a similar experience, it somehow never gets old. Moving from vendor to vendor eating nearly three whole meals in just a morning is a guilty pleasure I couldn't overcome. After OBM I retreated home to hit the books in preparation for my last two final exams.
Today, Sunday, is more of the same. Reluctantly studying away. I hope to climb Lion's Head, a great hike in Cape Town tonight, but we'll have to see if that's in the cards given the priority of school work.
From here on out it's just tying up the loose ends. Once I finish school on Wednesday I'm going to try to squeeze in a few more activities and try to get my life in order before I set off on my trip. Things are just about booked, all 8 hostels, necessary shuttles, flights, et cetera. What a huge weight off my shoulders to have that figured out! Trip planning: not easy.
I feel like I took my time in Cape Town for granted, but looking back, I really took up every opportunity that came my way if I thought it was appropriate. The one unfortunate thing though is that I don't feel like I made a difference or an impact here. Maybe it's because I wasn't involved in any extra curriclars, actually, that's exactly what it is. I just wish there was more I could have done to leave feeling I did something great, and not for myself. I don't think I ever wasted a day here, or did anything I regret, time just flew by so quickly. I'm starting to get sentimental about my life here. Even though there was a lot I have to complain about, I was able to live in another country for four months and call it home. Not many people get that opportunity nor the resources to be able to enjoy it to the fullest. I think now more than anything it's the change that scares me. This was my life for a long time, and in a matter of just three weeks, I'll be back in the glamourous California in the privileged SCU bubble.
Life takes you on crazy journeys. It's just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other and taking the jump (or at least that's what I did walking off a cliff in Zambia), adapting to changes, and not forgetting who you are I'm still trying, but I think I'm getting better at it.
From here on out, every day in Cape Town is my last of that day.
On Friday night, a few of the housemates wanted to go out to dinner. I wasn't at all hungry, but I thought I'd enjoy the company so I decided to join them. We went out to this delicious hole in the wall joint in Observatory, here known as Obz, just one neighborhood over. The conversation at my end of the table focused on travel and outdoor adventures, sharing stories from our trips to Montana, Alaska, Colorado, Wyoming, etc. Definitely made me miss our family trips to Alaska, yet really reminded me how thankful I am for having experienced these adventures.
Once we got home majority of the house was just hanging out in the living room, chatting and listening to music late into the night. It was one of those nights that made me realize though I find myself very different from the rest of my housemates, we are all extremely different from each other and can learn from our differences.
Saturday morning was my last trip to Old Biscuit Mill. Even though every time I go it's a similar experience, it somehow never gets old. Moving from vendor to vendor eating nearly three whole meals in just a morning is a guilty pleasure I couldn't overcome. After OBM I retreated home to hit the books in preparation for my last two final exams.
Today, Sunday, is more of the same. Reluctantly studying away. I hope to climb Lion's Head, a great hike in Cape Town tonight, but we'll have to see if that's in the cards given the priority of school work.
From here on out it's just tying up the loose ends. Once I finish school on Wednesday I'm going to try to squeeze in a few more activities and try to get my life in order before I set off on my trip. Things are just about booked, all 8 hostels, necessary shuttles, flights, et cetera. What a huge weight off my shoulders to have that figured out! Trip planning: not easy.
I feel like I took my time in Cape Town for granted, but looking back, I really took up every opportunity that came my way if I thought it was appropriate. The one unfortunate thing though is that I don't feel like I made a difference or an impact here. Maybe it's because I wasn't involved in any extra curriclars, actually, that's exactly what it is. I just wish there was more I could have done to leave feeling I did something great, and not for myself. I don't think I ever wasted a day here, or did anything I regret, time just flew by so quickly. I'm starting to get sentimental about my life here. Even though there was a lot I have to complain about, I was able to live in another country for four months and call it home. Not many people get that opportunity nor the resources to be able to enjoy it to the fullest. I think now more than anything it's the change that scares me. This was my life for a long time, and in a matter of just three weeks, I'll be back in the glamourous California in the privileged SCU bubble.
Life takes you on crazy journeys. It's just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other and taking the jump (or at least that's what I did walking off a cliff in Zambia), adapting to changes, and not forgetting who you are I'm still trying, but I think I'm getting better at it.
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