60 Degree Temps- The 'New' Sweatshirt Weather

Delicious Braii Dinner I had with my weekend host family while in Ocean View Township for the weekend.

A little behind schedule as I headed off with Diane and Gavin for a sunset pic-nic at Camps Bay. This pic was taken from the car.

Jammie Plaza, University of Cape Town. 

Hex River Mountains- sunrise.

We hiked along the edge of of the canyon walls, that plummeted as far as the eye could see. Epic. 

Natural, freshwater pools/falls. The water was so clean you could drink the water you swam in. Nothing beats some swimming/playing in the nude- especially in nature, in the mountain, in South Africa, in Africa.

My weekend home-stay family/extended family. A hilarious bunch, I have never laughed so hard in one weekend, ever. This was taken in Hout Bay, where fisherman can often be seen unloading snoek.

Zavior, my weekend home-stay brother in Ocean View Township, and a little neighbor boy on my shoulders. I never figured out his name, but seemed to 'hang out' with the family the entire weekend. We are cheering on the Cape Argus Bicycle Race---the 'Tour de France' of South Africa. Lance Armstrong came in second last year.

I'm writing this post while waiting at the train station, the sun beating down heavily on me, but feels mighty good as the weather these past few days has been mostly overcast and breezy. The weather lately has hinted that fall is on its way (although the seasons here don't change much except for some cooler weather and rain- which is still often mixed with sunny days.), while I've found myself a bit chilly in 60 degree weather. Sounds absurd for a Minnesotan to think. It's crazy how fast one can acclimate to a new climate- especially Cape Town.

The view  where I'm writing from, only one living in a a flat plain such as Fargo can dream of. Diamond's Peak stretches itself above the train depot and university dormitories in front of me, providing a pleasant backdrop silhouette when the sun sinks beneath the mountain. I've had the opportunity to witness this on more than one occasion.  

It has been the little things, the 'mundane' things, that have been perking my interests lately; surprising me, and making my time here that much more meaningful. In absorbing my surroundings of everyday life, I have nearly cruised on the train right past Varsity, missing my stop more than once. (Same as when I'm riding the Jammie Shuttle-the on campus bus system). My mind will often get lost in time, which is happening more and more here while taking in  this everyday life style. It is the kind of things one sees, hears, tastes, etc. everyday that you don't really think about, but when you do, you slow down and attempt to savor the experience. Just to name a few: The overcrowded, jam packed train carriages (Esp. during the 5 o'clock hour), little babies whaling on the train, [this may not seem enjoyable, but it really adds to the whole experience of someone who utilized public transit in Cape Town- one of the things that I will miss come June.). Beggers on the train. Noticing a patch of  giant cactus  that I walk by frequently, yet never realized its presence. Spicy Chutney on Rooties (A  S. African Favorite). Nearly stepping on doves while walking to class, never 'fully out of your way', and always watching for the wind to blow your sandwich out of your hand. (They're all over campus, cleaning up people's leftover lunch crumbs.--Reminds me of what Boone used to do.), taxi drivers yelling 'Wynberg' or 'Cape Town' out of the window, with a flick of a whistle. Crossing the street while cars speed by right next to you (this process has taken me about a month and a half to get good at.).

I finally started volunteering this week. I am not volunteering in an orphanage, or underprivileged school, or township, or hospital, like most people think of when volunteering in Africa. Instead, I am working with Young In Prison. Juveniles who are trying to turn their life around. I will be working with them through  creative writing/dance/art in ways that they can express themselves. It was a very real experience the other day- I am fortunate my living facilities are what they are. 

I went on a 4 day hike/traverse through the Hex River Mountain Range. It was something out of this world, something I couldn't believe I was seeing and experiencing, and something that is one of the highlights of my time here so far. 

Cape Town is a hot spot for celebrity spottings. Celebrities often vacation in Cape Town. Right now, Denzel Washingtion and Ryan Reynolds are filming a movie here. These people have been seen by several of us abroad kids here, not including myself.

As for my academics, whoa! Things have been wild lately, trying to scramble in reading, papers, tests, and studying prior to vac which starts tomorrow- a week off is sounding pretty tempting right now. However, I have papers, presentations, and projects due the first week back from break. Still figuring out how I'm going to manage to get all of that taken care of, as I am leaving at 3 in the morning for Zambia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, where some serious adventure is about to be had. (and won't be back until the following Sunday evening).

April is quickly approaching, the time here is zipping by-and that scares me. Where did March go?