Finally Took a Hike

Cami and Hannah on the hike

    Ever since arriving in Cape Town I have been itching to go hiking. The three main spots that attract hiking enthusiasts and tourists alike are Lion’s Head, Table Mountain, and Devil’s Peak. Most of the group has already hiked Lion’s Head while I was visiting my service site, but this Tuesday a group of us took on Devil’s Peak.

Devil's Peak

    We left our house at 9 in the morning to begin our two and a half hour ascent. The first thirty minutes of the hike felt like I was on a stairmaster zigzagging back and forth across the mountain. Even though it was cloudy outside, all of us were covered in sweat, dirt, and leaves from the start. Hiking Devil's Peak was challenging, but oh so rewarding. In order to reach the top, we had to climb through the clouds rolling over the top of the mountain. Even though the clouds hindered our view a little, the cool and wind were much needed relief. All of Cape Town rested below for us to survey. It took us a couple of minutes, but we eventaully spotted our house as a little speck so far far away. 

Summit of Devil's Peak overlooking Cape Town (I'm in the neon all the way on the left)

      As I reflected on the hike later that night, I thought about how most of the hikes I had been on thus far overlooked mostly untouched land. The hikes I had been on before did not have a city sprawling out beneath it. It was interesting to look out and wonder about all the people living in the space we could see and beyond. What were they doing? Where were they going? Have they ever seen the city like this?
      Although I immensly enjoyed Devil's Peak, it definitly made me miss the Appalachain Mountains and landscape I have come to know over the past couple of years. I have been told everything in Cape Town turns deep green once the rainy season hits- I can't wait! Next on our hiking wish list is a sunset hike on Table Mountain and/or full moon hike to Lion's Head. This was just the first of many hikes to come!

View of Table Mountain from Devil's Peak

    On another note, this week was the first week of school- kind of...
Like I mentioned before, the registration process at the University of the Western Cape is much much different than registration at Saint Louis University. This whole week has been a blur of registering, adding classes, deleting classes, attending classes, leaving in the middle of classes, and trying to explain this crazy program and all of its necessary accomodations to professors. I think I have it figured out...but I probably should not speak too soon. Right now I will be taking 1. Current Trends in Modern Philosophy (awesome professor with a dry sense of humor- my favorite!) 2. Leaders in Grassroots Organizations (looks like some really great projects and class content) 3. Sustainable Rural Livlihoods (a look at rural communities in Africa, African poverty, and cultural implications...haven't actually been to this class yet) and 4. Theology of Forgiveness and Reconciliation (sweet guest speakers...I think we get to meet Desmund Tutu!!!)

   Last thought of the day came from a girl I was with while waiting in the hours long line to add/drop classes. A friend and I were telling her all about the adventures we have taken since being in Cape Town (like Muizenberg beach and Devil's Peak). She is 19 and has lived near Cape Town her whole life, but has never been to Table Mountain, Devil's Peak, or Lion's Head. She found it ironically funny that we had only been here for less than two weeks and already experienced something that has been in her backyard all these years. My friend said something to the effect of that we are only here until June and therefore have to do as much as we can before we leave. While I totally agree with her, and want to drink in this city as much as possible, I must always remember that it is not MY city. I am a visitor and it is my privilege to be here experiencing all Cape Town has to offer. There is so much to see and do- I'll post my Cape Town Bucket List soon!

Muizenberg and More

A big part of the reason I chose to apply to the South Africa Service Learning Program was the service learning aspect of it. This past Thursday I visited the organization I will be working with for the duration of the semester. Itemba Labantu is a Lutheran organization located in the township of Philippi that serves the community in many different ways from teaching technical trade skills, caring for the sick, and providing care and tutoring for children. After taking a tour of the area and speaking with both the founder and program director, I leanred I will be helping with the morning care for younger children and afternoon tutoring for older children. I am sure Itemba Labantu will be the focus of many blog posts to come, but for now I just anticipate a challenging and rewarding experience there throughout the semester.

However, because I visited Itemba Labantu on Thursday I was unable to hike Lion's Head with the rest of the group. I have seen their pictures and it is absolutely beautiful. There are many hikes to be had, and while I am sad that I had to miss this particular one, I know I will hike Lion's Head sometime soon. In fact, there is a tradition of hiking Lion's Head on the night of a full moon in order to watch the sunset and then marvel at the stars and moon. February 15th is the next full moon and we hope to participate in the fun!

Transportation in South Africa is pretty great. There are taxis (public minibuses), cabs (like America's personal taxis), the metro, and city bus. I have taken all forms except the city bus thus far. One interesting experience was riding in the public taxis. Big white passenger vans drive up and down the streets whislting out to those walking by. If you show interest in riding, they will pull over and wait for however long it takes you to talk to the taxi. They are inexpensive, but crammed full to the brim of people. I sat all the way in the back both times I was in the taxis, and am thankful for it- I'm not sure I would have liked to witness the driving up close from the front seat. The taxis always hold an interesting mix of people on them. There is club music blasting from the speakers and sometimes people do not have a seat and will instead just stand off to the side. I am not sure if I am describing them accurately and to their full justice, but maybe I will try again later.

Thursday night the South African program director (Melikaya) took us all out to eat at an authentic African restaurant. We shared a bowl of traditional African "beer,"which actually did not have any alcohol in it. Instead, it was gritty and had a sweet and mustardy aftertaste to it. After passing that around we shared plates of chick peas, ox tail, ostrich, springbok, and kudu. I tried most of the food (although the sheep's intestine never made it to my end of the table-thankfully), and enjoyed a lot of it. There was also live music!

Live music at restaurant

The three women pictured above sang, danced, and played the instruments onstage with such enthusiasm and committment. Our whole group got up and danced with them making complete fools of ourselves, but enjoying it nonetheless.

The next morning we had the whole day to ourselves without any planned activities or requirements, so we took the metrotrain to Muizenberg (beach-side suburb of Cape Town).

Beach-side once again!

Muizenberg is located on the False Bay coast and attracts surfers from all over. So, of course we had to join in the local fun as well. More than half of our group decided to take surfing lessons. Much to our surprise it included the wetsuit, board rental, an hour of instruction, and another hour without an instructor to practice. At low tide we suited up and set out for the waves. It was my first time surfing and I did much better than expected. I was able to stand up a fair amount of times to ride the waves in toward the shore. The thing that surprised me the most was the ferocity of the ocean. I had been swimming in an ocean before, but add wind, a huge longboard strapped to your foot, and some waves and it becomes a little harder. Surfing was tiring, but totally worth it. Most of the time we were surfing I kept thinking about how disorienting the ocean is because of its motion. The waves continually rumble in and the wind can blow you off course. I would flail and kick and swim out farther, but did not notice I really had not moved much until I looked to the shore for a point of reference. All in all it was a great day at the beach. Except for the fact that my hands and eyelids were sunburned by the time it was all over. But no worries, just a slight red.

Some of the group before leaving Muizneberg

Saturday was relaxing. Most of us slept in past our usual 8am wake up, made breakfast, and sat outside under the avocado tree in the backyard. (Yes, I know, I too am overly excited by the fact the backyard has an avocado tree) In the afternoon some of us visited Old Biscuit Mill Market in Woodstock. It was an interesting mix of artists, musicians, wonderful food, and so many people. We went down to the market a little later in the day, so I want to go back on another weekend to mosey around more.

I find it unbelieveable to think I have only been in this amazing place for a week. I feel like I have done so much already, but also know there is so much more to be done. I cannot wait for the adventures to come.

Bumming Around

The first couple of days in Cape Town have been AH-MAZE-ING. The name of the neighborhood in which I will be living for the semseter is Observatory. Observatory is filled with restaurants, shops, and such interesting people. I cannot wait to continue exploring and meeting new people, but I have had an "independence" reality check. Because of safety concerns and differing cultural norms, I cannot travel alone throughout Observatory and Cape Town. Although I do not mind going places with others all the time, it has been a challenge not being able to get up and go someplace. As for right now, we have been traveling in a huge group wherever we go- fun but definitely not inconspicuous.

Yesterday we went to Camps Bay Beach for some sun. Coming from a North American winter none of us were totally prepared for the African sun.

Camps Bay Cape Town

Frolicking in the sun was joyous seeing how I had heard it was snowing back in Milwaukee. The Atlantic water was cold cold cold, but refreshing for sure. 

Hannah, Me, and Julia enjoying the sun!

However, being here is not all about soaking up the rays, and today was a reminder of that. Today we visited the University of the Western Cape for the first time and tried to register for classes. The whole process was stressful because it was extremely different from registering for the classes in the United States. Remembering that UWC's way of doing things is just different and not wrong has been a practice in patience, and I believe the differences present in the educational system here will continue to challenge me. I am both nervous and excited to begin classes next week.

The last component of my study abroad experience will be service in the community. I have been partnered with an organization, but have not visited it yet. After meeting with the organization I will have a better understanding of their daily activities and my role in them. This service aspect initially drew me to the South Africa program, and I am anxiously waiting to begin it.

Tomorrow our group is planning on hiking Lion's Head in the morning and hitting another beach in the afternoon. More pictures and a report on our hiking progress will follow!

MADE IT TO CAPE TOWN! Saying goodbye to family and friends was difficult, but with each passing hour I am more and more sure that this is where I am meant to be. I have only been here for about two days, but I'm learning so much already. Things like:
1. they do drive on the left side of the road and the streets are really narrow
2. the taxi drivers will whistle and call out to you on any main street to see if you want a ride
3. South Africans like their meat- good thing I'm not vegetarian!
4. it is SUPER windy, especially at night
5. night life in Observatory (outside Cape Town where I am staying) on a Monday night is probably not an accurate picture of the fun that is to be had

Sorry this is a little scatter-brained...traveling was a long and tedious process. I left Saturday afternoon on a flight from Chicago to Washington D.C. After we landed in D.C. we ran to the gate for our next flight because we had been delayed a little due to ice in Chicago. From there it was a whopping 17 hours to Johannesburg (a quick stop in Dakar, Senegal to fuel and change crew). From Johannesburg we had a little trouble because apparently we unknowingly skipped customs and almost missed our flight to Cape Town, but alas we made it. That first night we did not have any food in the house, it was midnight, and we did not know the area. So, of course our live-in RA took us to McDonalds! We ended up having to walk through the drive-through line because that was the only part open and we did not have a car. Not exactly my first choice of experiencing South Africa in the form of McDonald's, but hopefully it will have been my first and last stop there this semester.

Tomorrow we are going to the U.S. Consulate for a presentation and then maybe to the beach.

I promise I will have a more comprehensive and coherent update in the near future, but for now I must say goodnight!

Me and Mama Kaz in Chicago before I left!