April, thus far - Apr 13, 2008 - Agulhas, South Africa

So now that I'm done updating you about my spring break trip, I can tell you a little bit about life now that I'm home.

I'm absolutely loving Cape Town. I am really happy here, so happy that I don't want to leave. I feel that I am finally getting adjusted, and figuring out a lot about life. I have started running (or some days, walking) every day, and it's so fun to explore my neighborhood. I cannot get over how pretty everything looks here, even if it's trashy. Weird, but with the mountain in the background, it's true.

My sister just found out that she'll be in Africa (Malawi) starting in June. I am totally jealous she gets 2 whole years here. I may even be able to sneak in a visit to her, if the Peace Corps says it's OK.

Classes this week were absolutely nuts. I had a paper due last Friday, a test on Monday, and two papers due this Friday. I actually finished my two papers for Friday early, which is the first time thing for me.

This allowed me to have an adventure on Thursday. My friend Stephen asked me to go to the beach with him, and since I don't have Thursday classes, I agreed. He had rented a car because a friend was in town, so we had that. We get in the car, and he informs me we are going to Cape Argulus, which is the most Southern point of Africa. Little did I know, it would take us 3 hours to get there. However, the drive was one of the prettiest drives I have ever taken, and it was great to get out of the city for a while. We drove there with the intention of spending the afternoon, watching sunset, and coming home. However, it's really just a rock in the middle of nowhwere that says "Most Southern Point of Africa" and has a sign for the Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean. So we stood in both oceans at the same time, took some pictures, had some lunch at this fabulous and cute little restaurant, and headed home. I drove home, which was the first time I have driven on the left side of the road. Because I've lived here for so long, it didn't bother me at all. In fact, I think driving on the right will seem weirder when I return! The only odd thing was that you have to use your left hand to shift gears. It was a beautiful drive back into Cape Town at sunset, and a really nice way to get a way.

Now my papers are done. I got one back, and got a 75%. Seeing as they only go up to 80% here, that's an A, and actually a really good grade. I was happy, and I hope my other papers turn out as well. It's hard to know, since we only hand in 2 papers for each class. My other set of 4 papers is all due the same week as well, which I hate and love at the same time. I hate that I have to write 4 papers in a week, but it's nice because now I don't have anything to do until May.

We have a second spring break (kind of) this year. South Africa has public holidays on April 27 and May 1, which this year fall on a Monday and Thursday, so UCT decided to give us off Friday as well. A lot of people are going to Mozambique, but the week after is when all 4 of my papers are due, so I do need to be home for Tuesday and Wednesday. So, the first weekend we're going to the Garden Route, which is the coastal area that's just really pretty. The second weekend I'm driving to Namibia, and to the Namib desert to see the red dunes. I am really, really excited.

Also, between school and exams I think I'm going to Mozambique for a week. And after finals are over, I am climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. I am so excited. It will be tough, insane, and crazy, but amazing.

Overall, life here is good. I am planning weekends and hate to see time here go. I desperately wish I could stop it. Last weekend we went to this amazing concert at Kirstenbosch, they had an orchestra, some bands and the choir- they did some really cool songs, and the surroundings were so pretty (it's in the mountains at sunset). The next morning I went power walking with my friend Lauren and her house mates. It was so nice, we went to the Promenade at Sea Point, and went out to smoothies afterwards. It was so prefect, and really pretty.

Next weekend I am celebrating Passover. A lot of my friends here are Jewish, because I am in that History of Antisemitism class, and we have it right before lunch (there's a scheduled lunch hour at UCT), so a bunch of us go every day to lunch together. They invited me, so I am going. Should be culturally interesting. It's also Joel's 21st birthday this week, so we're having a party here for him next weekend. Also, it's a full moon so we're climbing Lion's Head, which is this really cool peak where you can watch the sunset and moon rise over the water at the same time. Should be great.