Welcome to Table Mountain and Atlantic Ocean Views

Since we came to Cape Town at night, I wanted to go outside right when I woke up. Aaron had told us to look outside in the morning and there's a surprise. I go outside and look and see, Table Mountain and Devil's Peak. It was the most breath taking thing I have ever seen. I hope I didn't wake up the neighbors I was so excited. They probably woke up and heard four girls screaming their lungs out with excitement.

Today we did get a tour of Cape Town University and did go to the Waterfront, which were also beautiful. Our wonderful interstudy tour guides Ajith and Dianne showed us around campus and some hot spots, while Ouma and Sopheimo gave us an overview of safety, introduction, and had a Q and A session. UCT lies very close to Table Mountain, and the view was unbelievable. About 25,000 undergraduate students attend UCT and they are in final exam session.

As we were going through this Tour I realized, every darn trip I have been to within the United States and abroad for where I have been, I have always visited a university. It must have been because I have a father as a professor? I don't know. The architecture was outstanding. I heard about some great food places such as Nando's which apparently is one up from KFC according to Dianne and Adjith. Watch out my fine chicken friends.

Then we headed to the water front. We had lunch there and I am going to proudly say I ordered an alcoholic beverage. It's very strange that I am of age in this country, and it was weird that I was ordering an alcoholic beverage and did not get carded. The legal limit is technically 18 years, but we were told that girls do not have as much of a problem getting alcoholic beverages. Don't worry Mom and Dad, I'm being responsible. :) I have a margarita on the rocks with salt, and I ordered a pasta with chili with fresh mushrooms. A main joy was how much alcohol was here, its about two bucks for a beer, which is 14 rand. I must tell you, there were many students that were very excited about the inexpensive beer, its a good thing I like hard liquor. :)

We did a little bit of shopping, went to see the ocean, and just sat and chatted. This was a very touristic site. Meaning Americans, Japanese, the whole kit and kaboodle. My instructor did say that many people can tell who we are because we speak loud and wear tennis shoes. And I am back now finally with internet. Throughout the whole trip, I have not used an IPOD or a computer until now. It definitely was a weird feeling, and I am going to admit that I was tired when I got home and now I am fairly awake. :)

I have not had too much of a culture shock yet. It will probably have to be a couple of days I think. I don't know if it is because I have traveled to other countries yet or what. But so far I feel this city is a little more Americanized that I had thought, meaning downtown Cape Town. We are in a suburb called Mowbury right next to UCT. We can catch a "Jammie" what we would call the campus connector at the U to get to UCT. The mall we went to did have a Croc store (thank GOD), Birkenstocks, Gucci, etc. I did see a McDonald's big arch flying in.

I do think I am truly blessed to be here. I know I decided to come for a reason, but I haven't figured out what my reasoning is yet. I thought I was destined to be a science major, but I'm not sure if that is me anymore.

I am lucky for the group members that are here. They are so supportive, and I'm not going to lie we are keeping a quote book for all the funny things that have happened. We started it last night.

I will get pictures up eventually. I don't know when, but eventually. They are beautiful. I will be blogging often I have realized, just because I have access to internet and I sure as heck paid for it. So look daily, it should be there. Miss you all! I do have a phone here, (01127)0722630939, if you all feel the need to miss me that much. :)