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!

Ikamva's many programs

Today I got the luxury of being driven around by Matthew, who's worked with Ikamva for over 30 years, to some of Ikamva's projects in the townships.

Started out by visiting some of the foster homes in Khayelitsha and Gugulethu. Ikamva has worked a program to get existing women who were already fostering children to be part of their program so they can provide them with food, projects, and shelter. That way they don't have to find new people who'd need to commit to becoming foster parents. Some of these "mamas" were housing 9 children, all age ranges. These kids are too adorable for words. At one house, they decided to play hide and seek with me and when I couldn't "find" them, they took my hand and would show me where they were hiding.

Next visited several senior centres in Khayelitsha and Philippi. It's amazing how these programs restore the dignity of the seniors who would otherwise have not much to do. Anything from senior exercises, arts & crafts, singing, praying, etc. They've even set up beading and sewing projects where their work gets sold and the money comes back to them. Best of all, they LOVE talking. Just being introduced to them, they wanted to know all about me and then would tell me all about their lives and their 17 grandchildren. Ha, I'd love to spend some time getting to know them better.

Finally, went to a couple of creches in Philippi. Happened to get there at nap time... 16 kids piled next to each other on a flat mattress on the floor. They were pretty much piled up on each other. I told them I'd be back to help out some time... I figure next time I'm there, it won't be as quiet :P

Again, a mixture of depressing sights of the way they live, but yet these programs bring such smiles to the most unfortunate people. I know it sounds like I'm preaching on how awesome Ikamva is, but it's true! It's great to see the seniors and little kids and helpers laughing and gossipping in Xhosa (which BY THE WAY, coolest language ever!! Lots of clicking and throat "tche" sounds and it sounds like they're singing the whole time... wish I knew what they were saying).

Tomorrow I'll be going back to the Health & Nutrition Centre with Monica (who's in charge of the gardens) to figure out how and where to build drip irrigation systems and greenhouses... should be interesting. Helen, the president, seems to think I know how to build these... soooo... hello internet. You and I are going to be good friends for this. Will let you know how things progress ;)

uh oh spaghettios

So alas I don't have internet where I'm living, so internet cafe it is... but that doesn't give me a lot of time to write on here.

I wrote an entry 2 nights ago (a long one), but yea.. it's on my laptop. So I'll post it once I find a wifi hotspot :)

Loving it here so far. It's both beautiful and heartwrenching. Such a mix of great nature (mountains, ocean, blue skies, vegetation, friendly people), while at the same time the stark contrast of the poor townships outside of the city.... that consist of all shacks plopped next to each other, pregnant children, mothers carrying 4 babies, their poor and unhealthy lifestyle.

Helen, the creator and president of Ikamva, took me there. She's an amazing woman in all that she and her organization have done. Will keep you guys updated.

Tomorrow, going back to the townships to see what programs Ikamva does with them.

T-4 hours

Leaving for Cape Town, South Africa today.... Wouldn't be lying if I said I was a little nervous, maybe scared, but also excited.

Bittersweet to not be seeing my favorites in Cincinnati for 2 months, but I'll be back soon!

Will keep you guys updated on my adventures ;)

Much love,
Nadia

The hills are alive with the sound of San Franciscoooo

Ok, dorky. Shh. Moving on.

Here's to remembering what happened on recent trip number deux!

I fell in love with San Fran and area. The many many hills, the row houses, the wine, the walking...

Flew out Wednesday evening (straight from work, almost missed my flight O_O), layover in Houston where I caught an EARLIER connection (yay!) that got me into San Fran at 9:30 pm instead of 11:30. Jeremie, the couchsurfer we were staying with, had given me directions on taking the BART to Civic Center and then taking the bus. Guy on the BART (who was the same guy as the one on my flight who PURCHASED my movie viewing abilities on the plane) would NOT let me get off at Civic Center -- because there's too many homeless people and girls like me would get raped and murdered. I tried to assure him that I could throw a few punches with my kickboxing moves (from, um, 6 years ago), but he was adamant. So I get off at Powell instead. Make it to Jeremie & Emilie's around 11. They're a fantastic couple -- here for an 18 month job transfer from France. Jealous?

Thursday morning! My friend Mike and I make our way towards Chinatown (I'm sooo hungry b/c I freakin' missed dinner on the plane when I fell asleep for like 3 min!) and get DIM SUM! SO good! Granted, the same good that later made me nauseous and sick... but totally worth it. Next, head towards Coit Tower where I insist $5 is too much to make it to the top of it, after we trekked up the stairs (in hindsight... probably could've afforded the $5 for a beautiful view). Walked towards Lombard street, but made a pit stop at a coffee shop before we hiked the crazy hill up it. I never imagined (nor did I remember from when I was 9) how STEEP these hills are! At one point, a lady was literally terrified that she would start rolling backwards down it and was clutching onto the guardrails. What a workout. Then we made it to fisherman's wharf and the pier and toured around -- watched street performers (jugglers, crazy instrument players, break dancers, people jumping out of trash cans...) and got some In & Out burgers (what?! I was hungry again.) Ghirardelli Square was delicious also and is where I met THE coolest street musician ever: Starvin' Marvin, who speaks 13 languages! Like, SPEAKS them, not just "knows a few words and calls it a language". He also rhymed all his sentences. What a guy. Then wandered allll along the bay area alllll the way to the Fine Arts Palace. I'm still not entirely sure if there's actually something inside (like a museum), but it was beautiful. Beautiful weather, green grass, wonderful building, and lots of birds and people watching. It's 6 and we told Jeremie and Emilie we'd make dinner at 7, so we find a sweet grocery store (Marina's Market, I think?) and get everything that's needed for some awesome enchiladas. End the night by meeting up with a past couchsurfer of mine, Victor, and his friend and all of us head to a couple of bars. What a day.

Friday's here. We were going to rent a car to get to Sonoma, buuuut the line for the rental is ~1 hr long and if we have no reservations, pretty much SOL, says the guy. Mike calls ferry info lady, Amy, who informs us there's a bus to Sonoma from Vallejo, where we can take the ferry to. So, off we go to to the ferry station! It's pouring right now, but that just gives Alcatraz the look it needs as we pass it by. Get to Vallejo -- Amy lied! No bus! Only one to Napa, which we take, and then Ben (our couchsurfer host) graciously picks us up there. Ben lives on a vineyard. in Sonoma. 'nuff said. He's got the life, alright, and is a way cool dude. There's a couchsurfing dinner tonight in Santa Rosa! So we head to the grocery store, whip up some kick ass mac & cheese, and meet some fun people that night. One of whom gave me a massage whilst eating dinner. That's pretty awesome. :D

Saturdayyy! It's another beautiful day in CalifornIA and we start it out by trekking the wine hills behind Ben's place. I won't lie. I got winded. At the top, I plopped down on the grass which was the best decision I had made so far that day. They soon followed lead. Then, it's wine tasting time! We made it to THREE wineries in Sonoma (Kunde, Family...something, and Ledsor? Lexor? Luxor? I don't remember). Charlie at Winery #2 loved us. Kept repouring our drinks and at the end, didn't let us pay. I'm pretty sure that's why Winery #3 didn't like our lot too much... buncha drunkies. In between we feasted on a picnic lunch from a local grocer. Ben had invited us to a Crystal Method concert, but we decline b/c we have to make it back to Jeremie and Emilie's, so he drops us off close by. The rest of the night was spent chatting and playing boardgames with the two... you definitely need quick reflexes with them.

Sunday, Sunday. Mike leaves in the morning for his flight and I spend the day with Victor. He picks me up and we drive across the Golden Gate Bridge through Muir Woods and the coastline. Even though it was raining, we would stop in between, shoot some pictures, and admire the waves crashing up against the rocks. Make our way after an hour or two to Petaluma -- a quaint little town that seems to have everything it needs (including two Thai places! One of which we ate at). It's getting late and he takes me back to San Fran where I meet up with Ross at the pier. Head to Mission district with him and his sisters for some yummy Mexican tacos, then drive back and forth the Golden Gate again (just because), before he takes me to the airport to catch my flight...

What a trip. 4 full days of awesomeness :) I can't imagine a better way it could have gone.

Austin, you make my heart skip

Alrighty, so I'm back from both trips, but let's recount in order (b/c, let's face it, I'm not going to remember otherwise...)

Oh, Austin. You bring that excited flutter to my stomach, that familiar feeling that brings a smile to my face. After landing in Austin and being driven to mom's house, everything is still in its place (plus some additional newbies... a new skyscraper, a different billboard), and it doesn't feel like I've even ever left.Spend the first night at mom's -- it's good being around her again. How she loves to spoil me :) She shows me the clothes she's been accumulating for me, the sewing machine cover I desperately need, the slipper socks, etc. Work from home Thursday until 3 (let's be honest... probably not my most productive time of work), meet up with the P&G peeps back at campus after checking into the hotel. Good event.

THEN. TRUDY'S! The meal I've been craving for the past 6 months: Trudy's Chicken Stuffed Avocado with a Mexican Martini lovingly next to it. This is one of my favorite meals in.the.world. It's a combination of the knife sliding into the suiza sauce on the crusted breading and the ripe avocado filled with chicken. ~drools~. I had the wonderful company of some of my closest friends: Hussain, Clare, and Clay. I thank you for being part of this and providing me with wonderful warm company :)Hussain (who graciously always ends up being my chauffeur when I'm in town) and I then meet up with the P&G recruiting folks for a wee bit at Baby A's. Karen is hilarious. I love her enough sober, but I may love her even more when she's a wee bit tipsy... We then head over to Hussain's to meet up with Joe, Christina, Jackie, and Brandon for some hookah. Oh Austin. I love you guys. There's something about y'all that grounds me well. Head back to the hotel and find my mom passed out in my bed.

Awake. Work. Well, sorta. Steal breakfast for mom. Head out for lunch with the recruitees at Crown & Anchor and do our training for the organizations (turned out really well! Props to my co-presenter Balt who did an excellent job). Head to Z Tejas for dinner with the recruiting ladiez (Karen and Claire) -- ran a little late and unfortunately missed Andy's band perform at the Parlor. Thankfully, 99.9% of my friends head to Jackie's afterwards so I can lovingly see them all at the same time. UNthankfully, I'm hopelessly tired and cannot keep my eyes open long enough for a decent conversation. I had fun while I was still conscious and then Christina took me back to the hotel :)

Oh Saturday! No work! All play! Mom and I head down to Zilker Park to meet up with Emily and my beautiful goddaughter, Maya. How I miss Emily. We've been through a lot and we're so... grown up now (which is not the same as mature, let me point out). Maya is aadooorable -- full of life, scared of nothing, such a little tomboy. We let her dip her feet in Barton Springs (how I wanted to jump in so badly myself...) We say our good bye's and meet up with Hussain at the Flip Happy Crepes stand down the road. This little trailer stand is Austin in all its essence: so odd and quirky, yet deliciously wonderful. Even the hour long wait was worth it b/c of picnic table conversations. I had the lemon curd with blueberry sauce.
Mom and I shop our hearts out: Texas Thrift Store (my favorite thrift store ever), ROSS, TJ Maxx. How I miss ROSS too... At one point, about half my closet was from there. SUCH good deals. It's sorta like TJ Maxx, but better. and cheaper. Pizza dinner at home then I head down to 6th street for Carlos's birthday celebration (after meeting up with Hussain and Ruwan at Madam Mam's). Sixth street is not the same as it was in college... but I think that largely has to do with the fact that you don't run into people from your classes and your different friend circles anymore b/c most have moved away since graduation... However, this night was as close as it could get to that reminiscence: a good group of friends, even ran into Brooke, Scott, and some other drunkies (haha), watched awkward social situations, got INto social awkward situations, shots, dancing, singing at the top of our lungs. Ahh. One thing I miss about Austin that I wish Cincinnati had is the 6th street concept... where you can dangle in and out of bars with NO cover! Not feeling the vibe? Let's try next door. Before I know it, the bars are closing, I hug my friends good bye for now (come visit me, durn it!), and have a 1/2 hour trek home. Get home at 3, mom and I chat til 4, wake up at 5 am for my 7 am flight. Ouch. My fault. But totally worth it.

Reading this post with a different set of eyes, it seems to ramble about nothingness. Chronological events. Uninteresting. However, with MY eyes, there are about 20 instances where my heart fluttered just reading this. Certain locations that bring back memories, events, people... Zilker, Crown, Madam Mam's, just to name a few. Wonderful Austin places that are associated with a chunk of my life that I'm grateful for. I felt like this trip gave me a good amount of time to absorb time with friends, family, and Austin places.

People often ask WHY I left Austin if I love it so much, or why I won't go back. Here's the thing... if life happens to place me back in Austin, I won't complain. However, if I have control of it, there are just too many places in the world that I have yet to discover that might make my heart skip. Wouldn't it be great to get those emotions in many areas of the world instead of just one?

Oops, just kidding.

Ok, so I lied... I WILL be traveling in between now and my South Africa trip. Twice, actually. >_>

Next Wednesday, P&G is sending me to Austin for recruiting! Fly in Wednesday night, work from (mom's) home Thursday, then do organization events Thursday and Friday evening. Other than that, I have FREE time til early early Sunday morning to spend time with mom, friends, and dog :) ALSO! Staying in the Embassy Suites downtown on Thursday and Friday night, so SLUMBER party time!

Theeen I'm going to San Francisco for Easter Weekend + 1.5 days. Fly out Wednesday night and I'm there til Sunday at midnight. I get in Monday around noon... Either gunna work half a day or take it off b/c it's Opening Day here in Cincy (a big deal apparently :P). Hey, I had to take advantage of that long weekend, right?

This leaves me with about 2 days of vacation left (I already set aside days for Christmas-New Years) to take another vacation some time this year... probably after Cape Town.

I love my life. :)