Hello everyone! Welcome back. It’s been a good two years since I’ve entered the world of online journaling, and I’m excited to have reason to start it up again! As you know, I’ve left The States behind and have returned to my favorite port from Semester At Sea…Cape Town, South Africa!
I can’t even tell you how strange and thrilling it is to be here. Strange, because there’s such a feeling of déjà vu…I’ve been daydreaming of Cape Town since I sailed away from here four years ago, and it is unbelievable that I have returned so soon. Thrilling, because there was so much I wish I could have done in the six short days last time…and now I’m doing those things! It just blows my mind.
Well, since it’s been a week, I have a lot to catch you up on…’spose there’s no better place to start than at the very beginning. I am happy (and utterly dumbfounded) to report that traveling from Omaha, Nebraska to Detroit, Michigan to Amsterdam, The Netherlands to Cape Town, South Africa went off WITHOUT A HITCH. Not a SINGLE thing went wrong. No missing flights, no baggage stuck in a different country, no being re-routed, no being stranded in California (that’s happened to me MORE than once…), not even so much as a twenty minute delay. The flights followed the itinerary exactly and now I’m having an identity crisis. I’m not sure who I am if I’m not up a creek without a paddle. I realize that karmatically speaking, the universe owes me a painless travel experience (or seven)…but now having experienced it, I rather feel I somehow cheated the system that is world travel.
I’m here with three of my classmates – Blaine, Nate and Tracey (Blaine on left). We’re staying at Thistle Cottage, owned by Brian and Trixie Krumm, The cottage is a four car garage converted into a nice little home, attached to the Krumms’, in a fantastic neighborhood in Constantia, South Africa. (Constantia is to Cape Town as White Bear Lake is to St. Paul). Brian and Trixie have been fantastic – friendly, willing to answer our million and one questions, and more than happy to give us all of their recommendations on places we can’t miss. Trixie has been our mother hen since day one. She even took Tracey and me to church with her yesterday!
So as I was saying…we arrived in Cape Town late Sunday night just as scheduled. And since we had been traveling (and getting zero sleep) for the past 36 hours, we went to bed the second we got into the cottage.
Monday, March 2nd, 2009
DAY 1 – Cape Town
We let ourselves sleep in – a bit – the first day, as the Krumms insisted that’s what our preceptor (the doctor who oversees our rotation) would expect. We got up at 9am (1am back in the States) all groggy, and called our preceptor. Long and pointless story short, we didn’t get a hold of our boss until Wednesday (calling at least four times a day)…and were finally told that our rotation here didn’t start until the next Monday! Suddenly we found ourselves with a whole week ahead of us with no responsibilities and an entirely new country to explore. It was FANTASTIC. We spent the first day bumming around getting things done – cashing travelers checks, grocery shopping at the local Pick’n’Pay, and driving on the left side of the street (this time, it felt familiar instead of insanely weird! Thank you, New Zealand). Then, in the afternoon, we headed down to the V&A Waterfront!! Ah…my old home. And Kristina’s too! That’s where the ship lived while it was here! Oh, how good to be back. Though, I must admit…I wish Sarah, Dara, or Ike were here with me for times like that. I need my shipmates! I probably annoy my classmates for how many times I get all giddy and say “Oh my gosh, I remember this!!” :)
After wandering a bit past all of the tourist shops, and re-realizing how commercial the Waterfront is, we decided to head into the city centre to the Green Market where locals sell African crafts, jewelry, et cetera. It was great to shop here again, too…this is my favorite place to find African art. We spent the rest of the afternoon there, and Blaine Nate and Tracey got really good at their bargaining skills. For me, it was like riding a bike. I have my Dad to thank for those skills. :)
More later, when I have more internet! I love you all! And side note – I shook Clint Eastwood’s hand today. Yes, THE Clint Eastwood. Yes, life is crazier than anything the mind could invent.
Hugs from Africa,
Nikki
