CAPE TOWN

         Last week I was a part of the coldest winter in Amsterdam and today I’m sweating in my bathing suit in the midst of an Africa summer. Saying goodbye to Amsterdam was sad—I didn’t realize how strong of bonds and friendships I had created until I left… it was a good experience. Europe taught me to be tough—not only in a physical sense, but in a mental sense also: I braved the coldest winter in 1,000 years, but also learned from the Dutch people to be straight forward…to say what I want, to be honest, to not care too much about what other people think. So, cheers to closing this wonderful and educational chapter in my life.  I’ll miss it.

            On to the present—I’m in Cape Town, South Africa. I’m staying with a friend at the moment, Brian, whom I met in New Zealand last year during my travels. He so courteously picked me up from the airport yesterday. This morning we went together to pick up Yarrow Jones, my travel partner/best friend. We are staying for a week at Brian’s home near Muizenberg before we head onto Namibia.

Let it be known, South Africa feels like home to me—my father grew up in Zimbabwe and spent his college years here in Cape Town. I adore exploring his old stomping grounds and can feel the positive energy everywhere—I love seeing where he learned to surf, where he went to college, the bars he used to drink at!  My father was right around my age when he lived here and I’m excited to experience South Africa through my own eyes, but in sort of the same way that he viewed it. I feel like I'm reliving his childhood.

Cape Town is a fantastic spot. Try to imagine… rock, craggy mountains encircling the city. crashing waves. children laughing. wind blowing through the swaying pine trees. the smell of freshly caught fish. cloudless skies. Also, It’s a town of breathtaking views, whether you’re high up marveling at the city below, or ground level feeling dwarfed and humbled by the surrounding mountains. I love it here.

 

So far, we have only got a taste of it. We’ve drank beer by the beach, explored Cape Point, seen seafaring penguins as well as heaps of baboons, met countless amazing people, seen the countryside, danced on the rocks by the sea… it’s been a dream—a relaxing experience before we head onto Namibia and Botswana to do some intense and also exciting volunteer work.

Big thank you to Brian, his family, lovely Aimee and all the crazy boys and girls who generously carted us around, showed us the sights, fed us and provided amazing company. It has been a perfect time experiencing the beauty and wonder of this epic city with the help of a few knowledgeable locals. BIG LOVE!

Onto tomorrow—a 23 hour bus ride awaits us… from Cape Town through to the sandy desert land of Namibia. I’m sad to leave Cape Town, but luckily we have planned to return shortly in the beginning of March. So goodbye for now CT, see you soon…