AFRICA

Saturday, October 3 – Cape Town, South Africa
13:38
I’ve been pretty emotional lately. I think the reality of this trip is finally starting to sink in. I was writing an email to my mom yesterday saying that I was going to be in South Africa tomorrow (today), and then I started crying. I’ve worked so hard for this. This is my dream. Everyone was always told to follow your dreams, but how many of us actually think we can achieve those dreams? I did achieve my dream, whether I really thought it was possible or not. I just kept working for it.

I was just walking down the “boulevard of dreams”, as my professor likes to refer to the walkway next to the piano lounge, and it hit me like a ton of bricks. I’m on the ship I’ve longed to be on. I live on the 4th floor Venus deck. I live on the M.V. Explorer. I’m 1/3 through the voyage. This is really happening.


Tuesday, October 6 – V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa
0:05
I think South Africa is great! It’s completely not what I expected when I first heard we were going to South Africa! Our port (V & A Waterfront) is beautiful! It’s an absolutely stunning view. The M.V. Explorer is the biggest ship in port, it’s pretty cool. There’s also a pirate ship, which reminds me of home. Our ship is RIGHT next to a hotel (that has wifi). And it’s about a two minute walk from this huge mall, that has a grocery store in it. I actually haven’t made it past that mall on foot this whole time and I might not get a chance to. Oh darn - that means I just have to come back! In my taxi and bus rides I’ve seen these very impressive flats that I would just LOVE to live in.

The first day I went on an FDP with Professor Hunt to the District 6 Museum and Townships. If I didn’t see the Townships, I would of thought South Africa doesn’t have it so bad. But I did see them, and if I was to have actually allowed myself to process and take in everything I was seeing, I would of bawled my eyes out. I felt a bit uncomfortable coming in to view their lives, like they’re on display. One woman actually shook most of our hands, thanking us - because our money goes to make the better homes for them. The children were so adorable. Their faces lit up to see us. They grabbed at us. They did thumbs up to us. They wanted to play with us. When I was taking a picture of my friend Marge (Mar-gay) a little girl ran into the picture and threw up her hands. When Marge took a picture of me, that same little girl ran into my picture and did a model pose with me. It was so great! Then, one little girl grabbed my hand and another girls hand and we acted like a swing. The children did not want to see us go. I only noticed one person that was not happy to see us. It was a young man and he flicked off our bus as we drove by. I mean, I wouldn’t be okay with people coming into my home to tour it on a daily basis.

Our last stop was at Vicky’s B&B (S.A. Smallest Hotel). It was in the middle of a Township and the interior was actually quite nice! Vicky talked to us. She explained that our trips to the Townships help a lot. She thanked us. She also explained that her hotel helps the community a lot. She also gave advice to not give handouts - to children or adults - because it starts to make them expect it and if they don’t get it they will begin to steal and be nasty and rude.

That night after a failed attempt at getting our noses pierced and wasting money, Jackie and I went down to Long Street. We ended up finding separate groups of friends and splitting up. The night was pretty uneventful, even though I stayed out late. I’m not that impressed with Long Streets clubs or bars. I did make new friends and that’s always good. I had yet another beer, although I can’t remember the name of it. At the end of the night I ended up with more money than I had after we wasted money. In one hand, that’s AWESOME since I was pissed about wasting money due to my lose budget. On another hand, that makes me feel terrible since that means I must of ripped someone off. i.e. They gave me the wrong change.

 Day 2 - October 4th:
I made an itinerary for Jackie, Viki, Ryan and I for this day. If I can remember it, it went as follows:?0815: Breakfast on the ship?0900 Market?1200: Lunch on the ship?1245: Wine store and post office?1330: Hike up Table Mountain?TBD: Cable car down Table Mountain?TBD: Nude Beach?1900: Dinner on the ship
We stayed pretty close to the itinerary. We didn’t go to the wine store, because Viki didn’t need to after all We also never went to the nude beach.

At the beginning of the day we were unsure if we were going to be able to hike Table Mountain due to the cloud coverage. So, we went about our day - shopping at the markets, where they have a bunch of cool things. We went back to the ship for lunch, and it cleared up enough for us to go.

After a decently expensive taxi ride to the shortest hike up the mountain, we started the hike. Oh, with a few more members - Cody and Erin. The hike was difficult. I took it easy, resting a lot because I didn’t want my heart to fail. It was nice that Cody was taking it easy, too. I didn’t feel so left out. Viki and Jackie were way in the lead, and actually got to the top probably 45 minutes before us. The views were breathtaking. I took plenty of pictures.

Some hikers brought their dogs! It was so cool! I was stoked to see them, and they seemed to be really good at hiking the mountain! It made me think of how much Sakura would LOVE to hike Table Mountain! It would take her a bit to get use to, but she’d just love it!

On the way up I met this group of students that were from all over the world, that just came from New Zealand. I’m not sure exactly what they were doing in Cape Town or why they were in New Zealand - but I think it had to do with service. I got one of their emails, and I’m pretty excited to hear more!

We also met this man who answered “allova” to my, “where are you from” question. I asked where that was, and he laughed and said, “all over”. He’s spent his whole life moving from place to place every few years. I was envious - he’s been everywhere! He was very interested in our program. And he was very good at hiking - passed us going up and down.

I feel that trips like this build stronger friendships. I laughed a lot with Cody, Erin and Ryan. They’re really good people. I’m very glad that we all got to go together.

I felt pretty accomplished when we got to the top of the mountain. The view was such a great reward. I hope the pictures can show half of the beauty. We were literally in the clouds. I absolutely love clouds. They instantly make me happy. I’m so fascinated by their beauty. My mind was racing - with the hike we had just done, with the people I just had met, with my new friends, with this voyage, with my dreams coming true, with my future.

Cody, Erin, Ryan and I took a few jumping pictures when we got to the top. They are a lot of fun to do and turn out so cool! I wish I would of done one in every country now! I’ve decided to make a flip book and animation of them!

We all weren’t sure if Viki and Jackie would be at the top anymore since we took an extra hour to get to the restaurant on the top. So I made Ryan bet with me. He bet (on a pack of m&ms like always) that they would still be there. Not even 5 seconds later, Viki steps out from around the corner. It was hilarious. I ended up getting him a piece of fudge, which we split (like we always do when it comes to bets) and it was delicious. I was going to get more, but only brought a set amount of money (for that reason).

We all took a jumping picture, which Jackie didn’t understand the concept. The pictures are pretty funny with her in it. Ryan and I couldn’t get enough of the jumping pictures - so we did about ... 10 more by ourselves! I love them! I really do!

After hanging out at the top for a little, we took the cable car down. It was such a brilliant view. The cable car spun 360 so everyone could see. There was a man climbing up the mountain! It looked pretty intense
Ryan and I went to the mall after that. I was in this strange zone, thinking about everything and not being able to focus on what I was doing. Ryan and I have turned out to be such good friends and we’re both so happy to have met each other! Around 9 we went back to the ship to shower and go out to a “fancy dinner”. Jackie joined us. It ended up being the best night I’ve ever had out in a port. We went to Karibu - a really great restaurant, that I will come back to, on the waterfront. Our server was excellent. He really new his stuff - suggested us really great wine and food. Although, I did not listen to his suggestion on food. I liked my meal okay, but it had a weird sweet taste. I really enjoyed Ryan’s suggested meal. Jackie and Ryan both got real drunk off the two bottles of wine we all split (I had two glasses). My second wine glass had an K on it and I wanted it. I asked our server, Ralph (who refers to himself as a waiter), if I could take it. He made gestures like I should just take it, but then asked his coworker if I could - his answer was no. Later, when we were about the leave, Ralph came back and made a comment that he didn’t know how many glasses were on the table - so I took it! He was great! The combination of location, food, wine, friends and conversation was great!

Day 3 - October 5th:
I took the day to myself. I went to the hotel that’s 200 feet from the ship to use wifi and Skyped home! I was actually able to video chat with Bryent! It was great! I was only able to video chat with him for about 45 minutes (My battery life sucks on my mac, and I need a new one when I get home!). I went back to the ship to look at my balance and how I could budget in a bit more money for this port. I made it work, took out more money and went shopping. I got a few gifts, and a lot of snacks for the ship. I got Iron Brew soda that Chloe from the bookstore (from the previous day and from Bridget’s postcard) suggested. I can’t wait to try it. It was very interesting shopping in another country. It would of been even more interesting if everything wasn’t in English. I ate dinner with Jackie and pals - and then Jackie and I hit up wifi again. We decided to take it easy since we have a safari today (yeah, and I’m up way too late anyways). Technology is so amazing! I can see and talk to someone that’s miles and an ocean (or two?) away! I had the most scrumptious hot chocolate that I have EVER had in my entire life while we were calling our loved ones.

Then, we went back to the ship and I got in a cleaning mood. Our room is not dirty by any means, but I decided to organize my things and make room for our snacks to be hidden in the closet (away from us to drool over). I also did laundry and then I decided to write about my last couple of days! Now I’m going to go to sleep for a few hours to wake up for my SAFARI!