2 months of possibilities (written on 5/30/10 -- didn't have internet)

It’s my second night in Cape Town and you’d think it would have hit me by now… not sure what I’m thinking will “hit” me, but some sense of difference, confusion, overwhelment (what? That’s not a word?). Instead, I feel calm, at peace, and comfortable, with maybe a slight twinge of anxiousness. I think I blame this on 2 things: 1) my new friend, Sean, who picked me up from the airport, provided a familiar and welcoming face. There’s nothing better than being picked up by a friend in a foreign place. All the nervousness and fear I mentioned in my previous post disappeared because I had someone I could trust in a new place. 2) I feel at home here – there’s something familiar about the environment and the people. Don’t get me wrong – it’s completely different from anywhere I’ve ever been, but it’s also a combination of a lot of places I’ve been. Make sense? Probably not, ha.

Ok, enough babble. Now about Cape Town :).

Got in last night after a mad dash of connections in Detroit and Amsterdam. Man, 25 hours of travel… my butt certainly was not appreciative of that. Alas, as I had predicted, my luggage did not make it with me and was stuck in Amsterdam. What’s funny is that I HAD put spare clothes in my carry-on in case this happened, but last minute I had to check in my carry on as well since my suitcase was 16 lbs overweight (oops!). So I have my bare essentials, minus some, which are my laptop and some papers. Waiting for my luggage to get here tonight, which hopefully it will… b/c I don’t know how much longer my roommate would be able to bear my 2 day worn socks… poor girl.

Woke up this morning and walked outside. Wow. Now I saw it all: the blue skies, the endless blue ocean, the mountains in the not so distant distance. I can see how people easily fall in love with Cape Town. Went to a café by the beach for breakfast with Sean. He’s been educating me on the political and social situations here in South Africa – so many complications and heartbreak that I wasn’t completely aware of. It’s interesting being in the midst of it WHILE World Cup madness is starting up as well. Bought a toothbrush (yay!) and then went and toured around. All the lovely sights – drove to lookouts, learned the names of places (don’t ask me to repeat… terrible memory… I’ll learn them at some point), beautiful views. Oh by the way, THIS is Winter?? 60s and blue skies? Yeah, Cape Townians…. Consider yourself lucky :).

There have been a lot of changes and additions to Cape Town due to World Cup preparations. Besides the obvious (like the stadium), things like street signs, bridges, roundabouts have been erected everywhere. It’s definitely a good thing, but kind of disparaging that it takes something big like the World Cup to get governments to polish their cities. Either way, everywhere we went, I was in awe with the city.

Met up with Helena, my new roommate, in the afternoon. Her apartment is filled with ancient memorabilia and trinkets – I love it. Every little item has a story. She says she’s a sucker for antiquities. Walked around the City Centre (where she lives), got some lunch, and now am having a quiet evening. I finished reading The Alchemist… quite fitting. I can easily relate to the Shepherd Boy searching for his treasure in the world. ;) If anyone feels like they need a push to pursue their dreams, I highly recommend this book.

So tomorrow is Monday. I need to figure out my phone situation, hopefully I’ll have my luggage, need to find internet, and call Ikamva to let them know I’m settled in and ready to work!