The good thing is, I have journaled a little bit, so let me see if I can look through my journal entries and remember what I've been doing these past 2 weeks.
Friday, May 29th, we were supposed to hike Table Mountain. Due to weather, we had to reschedule. I stayed in and spent the evening relaxing. I have very little personal time on this trip, so those nights are invaluable to me.
Saturday was the LEAD students FIRST OLD BISCUIT MILL experience! It was also their first rugby game. I got my usual: the eggs benedict and mini pancakes, and then we headed off to the Braai.
Sunday, I took some students to Hout Bay. It's a market about 45 minutes away that is only open on the weekends. There is some great shopping, food, and live music. I got a few little gifts and enjoyed walking around! Being an intern is cool because I get to be the one to introduce the students to so many cool things here in Cape Town.
Monday a new week kicked off!
I went to Truth, a super cool coffeehouse that I'd been dying to go to. It was fun to take a new group of students to hang out with for the day. We explored the city afterwards, and I have NEVER experienced such wind in my entire life!!! The wind of Cape Town is CRAZY!!! We stumbled into a bookstore, and I got a book for my oldest niece (who loves to learn and loves to read) and a small book for myself that is really just a commencement speech by J.K. Rowling. As I was reading, I was surprised because she talked about Africa. It was an inspiring little read.
Here's a journal entry that I wrote on that day:
"June 1
Lots of thoughts running through my head today. This weekend was full of markets, coffeehouses, and bookstores. I'm realizing that this isn't just uniquely cultural to Cape Town - it's a culture in its own that is probably found in many places throughout the world if you look for it and embrace it. I'm realizing that this culture of experiencing handmade crafts, new foods, local people, and energetic music is more valuable to me than dropping thousands on designer items just because. What kind of life does that lead? I want to take my newfound love to the states and make these new interests of mine a part of my wholesome lifestyle."
Needless to say -- I am loving the market/craft/coffeehouse/bookstore vibe! It's a lifestyle that appreciates simplicity and authenticity, and I know wherever I move after college, I want to focus on these things more than superficial things.
This day was also my sister's birthday. I have been in Africa for her last two consecutive birthdays, and I miss her so much! I have talked about her a lot on this trip, and I'm excited to see her when I get home.
Tuesday was the rainiest day I've ever seen in Cape Town. We had to cancel Robben Island, so instead, we all went to Boulders Beach and Cape Point. The students were so good about embracing the weather and having a good time anyway! How lucky am I that I've been to the tip of Africa 3 times in one year and I'm 21 years old?
Wednesday was rainy again. I took some students to the waterfront and went to a little restaurant and cafe I really like called Vovo Telo. It was good to get out of the house even though the weather wasn't the best -- I'd always rather do something than sit inside.
This night I had a cheese party and invited everyone to come to the staff room to hang out with me. It was a great turnout and a lot of fun.
Thursday the weather finally cleared up!!! We went to the vineyard in the sweet little town of Franshhoek.
We got to mix up our program groups this day, which was great because I got to know some of Zach's students better! I also got to have Mary with me :)
After a lovely day of wine tasting (and wine judging! I got to judge the winemaking contest again), we all went home feeling good about this weather.
On Friday, June 5th, we finally got to hike Table Mountain! After canceling the hike earlier in the trip due to weather, our students were really excited that they got to hike it. I was excited, too, because I didn't hike it during the Direct trip: I took the cable car up with Jake because he hurt his knee.
Here's a journal entry I wrote that day, after the hike:
"June 5
Today I hiked Table Mountain for the second time in my life. It was so much better this time! I purposely hiked at a slower pace so that I wouldn't wear myself out, and I was able to breathe so much better and enjoy myself more. I also had a great group of girls with me. I am starting to believe in myself more as a leader to them. This was probably the first strenuous exercise I've had since a year ago when I did this hike. It felt great. Today I was reminded of why (amongst other reasons) I got a tattoo of Table Mountain. As Nelson Mandela said, "Table Mountain was a beacon of hope for a place which we would someday return." Today, I fully returned. As my experience says, push through the toughest challenges -- and you can do anything. Today, I believe in myself."
I was on such a high from doing it again! There is no better view in this world than the top of Table Mountain, and no better feeling than conquering it! This is truly my favorite spot in all the world.
I took some students out to dinner this night at one of my favorite places, Harbour House. It was nice to have my favorite meal there again (mussels! my favorite place to get mussels in all the world!) while also hanging out with some new students, one of which I go to school with at Ole Miss. Shoutout to Caitlin, also for taking the pic of me on Table Mountain.
Stay tuned...
The Summer Intern,
Anna