Skipping to South Africa

I will be writing about Morocco and Ghana soon - there is so much to tell about these countries! But, since we are JUST leaving Cape Town, South Africa - I'm going to write while it is all fresh! Here we go!

Back on the ship. Absolutely frozen at the moment after standing outside for the past hour as I watch us pull away from South Africa – yet, I am completely content as I sit here listening to some amazing African a capella and rocking with the rise and fall of the ship. I can take this rocking when I am sitting or laying down to sleep, but when I am walking from place to place I take one step, feeling like I am walking in thin air, as if I weigh 2 pounds and my head is so light it is floating in the clouds – and then this feeling is countered by a step in which I become overwhelmed with gravitational pull, suddenly I feel like the 2 ton rhino I saw three days ago in Kruger National Park!!

So, that explains the conditions in which I write, but with the thoughts of South Africa - its people, its wildlife, its controversy - swarming through all of my thoughts, nausea is trivial.

I woke up six days ago at 6:30 to see the ship approaching Cape Town. It was incredible – breathtaking, actually. No picture I took or has ever been taken of this place could do what was in front of me a bit justice. The sun rising, sky glowing and water rushing below me, Table Mountain dominated the skyline, standing as a great natural beauty amidst a sprawling city. The plan was to climb that big ole mountain. Conquer it right from the start. Table Mountain – I’m not scared of you.

Laurel and I stood outside for about 20 minutes, until we returned to our warm beds for another hour of shut eye. Then, I got up to make it to breakfast before 8:30 (because they shut down the breakfast line at 8:30 – can you say FRUSTRATING!??? – at least stay open until 9:00… please?). Regardless – I made it to breakfast. Sat down with the ladies I was planning to make the big hike with that day. I decided to make use of the travel savvy clothing I purchased at Eddie Bauer this summer – so I came to breakfast sporting the cargo shorts down to the knees. Super sexy.

The ship didn’t clear until 10:00am! Tymitz Square (which is where we were all waiting to get off the ship) was PACKED with SAS students! I don’t think we have been this anxious to get off the ship EVER. We all had a major case of cabin fever – and we were DYING to get off this ship! Watch out Cape Town – 520 students going crazy on this floating university and ready to take over your city!

We were set with Clif bars, water bottles, extra layers, and some Rand for a taxi. We arrived at the base of the trail. Platteklip Gorge was before us. The first route ever taken up the mountain in 1503. Ready, set, go.

Carley started to run up the stairs before us, but before long she realized this hike wasn’t going to be about rushing up the steep slope. Our hearts started pumping, our leg muscles were getting a work out! The climb took us about 2 hours. We started with a group of about 12 hiking together, but about 20 minutes into the hike we figured out who wanted to go what pace up the mountain – and our groups slimmed down to about 3 people in a cluster! Carley, Charis and I kept a decent rhythm while hiking, but we had to take our share of rest breaks! This mountain was a steep climb with no trees to shade – so the direct sunlight of midday was killer!

It was funny to see all the Semester at Sea kids climbing the mountain! One group passed us with music pumping to keep them going. Others were racing up the mountain! While others had to turn around, and take the cable car up to the top.

Carley, Charis, and I finally made it to the summit! It felt SO GOOD! The views were spectacular! (I’ll post pictures in about a week when I’m in Mauritius!) We walked around taking pictures, staring off into the big blue ocean meeting the African sky. What a scene!

After exploring the top of Table Mountain (which is flat – so you can walk all over the top of the mountain!), we went to the Table Mountain Restaurant to get some well deserved lunch! We all opted for a juicy cheeseburger to satisfy our taste buds! It hit the spot. We sat outside chatting, allowing our meals to digest. After about an hour we decided to take the cable car down. I think it would have been more fun to hike back down, but we wanted some time that afternoon to explore other parts of Cape Town.

The cable car was way too quick for my taste. It made me realize that it really is just for transportation up the mountain and not really for the opportunity to take photos. At the bottom, we hopped in a taxi shuttle to get back to the Waterfront (which is beautiful – you should check it out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_%26_Alfred_Waterfront). The guys driving the van shared some local mixed music with us girls. It was really fun to enjoy the music and laugh all the way back to the ship.

Once we were back inside the Waterfront we decided to go for some ice cream. After savoring a scoop of some Haagen-Dazs, we explored some of the shopping in the area. We went into a store to look around, when the man working at the place started chatting with us. He wanted to know about Semester at Sea and what we were studying and wanted to do in our lives. Before we knew it, all 4 girls (Carley, Charis, Olivia, and I) were encircling this man, discussing our lives, politics, world cultures, our talents and dreams! It was really fascinating. I have found in both Ghanaians and South Africans a strong desire to learn, ask questions, and seek out opportunities. It is refreshing to meet people who are not just studying to get through school, but who really are curious to know about the world and people around them.

After a while we finally made it back to the ship to get ready for an evening out on the town! All dressed up, we went out for dinner and ended up at this restaurant serving everything from pasta and pizza to fish and steak. I ended up with a pumpkin ravioli that was DELICIOUS. Savoring not only the flavors of our meal, but also the sweetness of being together off the ship – we finished our dinner with good conversation and excitement for the rest of the night.

We caught a cab to Long Street – which reminded me a lot of New Orleans. There were people everywhere. We hopped around – seeing eager Semester at Sea kids everywhere. At one place called Mama Africa’s there was a great marimba band playing. Another place we went was PACKED with people. Almost no fun because you literally could not push your way through without getting awkward stares and grabs! Not too much later we called it a night and went back to the ship. I had to get up at 5am the next morning to leave for my safari in Kruger National Park!

I was back in the cabin late! I quickly packed before I went to bed in case I overslept (like the morning Ruthie and I didn’t get up for Nicaragua in time…) – and then proceeded to get about 2 hours of shut eye. Good thing there were plane rides to sleep on the next day.