Very lekka....

So the last couple days have been pretty chill. Been going to bed early and sleeping in a bit. It's been nice. Yesterday I went to the District 6 museum. District 6 was a neighborhood where people (colored people and blacks) were forced to leave there homes and then the homes were demolished because it was deemed an all white neighborhood. This was in Feb 1966. Very sad to see pictures and read about what happened. They have since rebuilt in that neighborhood and some folks have moved back in. Oh and we walked by some neighborhoods where the houses were painted really vibrant colors. Pretty cool. Thought about buying one but only for a second ;) I couldn't afford that on my monthly salary here of 1000 rand.

I just ate some Billtong, which is their beef jerky. It is good, but not as good as yours dad ;) If you don't read this, I know mom will tell you. It will have to do for now.

Some of the lingo around here is cool. I've been trying to learn. People say "howzit?" very often this is like hi or how are you. They also say izit?.

lekka or lekker = cool
bubalus = hung over

That's about all I know at the moment. I have also learned a couple sentences in German. Like I said, probably will be fluent in German by the end of this trip.

So tomorrow the plan is to go around Cape Town or somewhere on a motorcycle. Kind of excited and kind of nervous. Not a huge fan of motorcycles, but trying to get out of my comfort zone while I am here. I'm not driving the motorcycle that would be scary! Then plan to come back for a Braai by the pool!

Fish! but no Sharks!

So I met this guy from Texas last Tues and he managed to convince me to go surfing. So glad he did. It was an amazing experience. It was really hard though. One of the hardest parts was paddling fast enough to catch the wave oh and I guess trying to stand on the board. I managed to do it though. One of the other hardest things was getting on the freaking full body wetsuit. 20 times harder than putting on panty hose for sure. It was such an adrenaline rush standing up and surfing the wave. I was exhausted after about an hour though. There were fish everywhere! Jumping around in the water I think more so cause it was raining. I told Dillon this and he said, "that probably means there were sharks around." Awesome. I didn't see any sharks - thank god. Matt, I know you were hoping I would have seen some sharks or something, but didn't happen and very happy about that.

Last Thurs went to Strand and Hermanus (town that is a hot spot for whales). We didn't see any whales though, but very cool town. The drive was along the west coast. It was so beautiful!!! Once we got to Hermanus we had some lunch then went for a hike on the Fern Kloof Nature Reserve, very beautiful there as well. It was a nice hike. Very good day.

 all Americans in this pic

 on the way to Hermanus

 Fern Kloof Reserve

Been working the last few days and spending some time going out and hanging out in the bar at night. Singing Karoke.

Good times!

Its been a busy week. I'm trying to remember what I have even done over the past week. Last Wed on my day off I spent some time with Dillon (the guy from the airport). We went to the pool on the roof top of the Cape Royal hotel right next to my hostel. I thought you would have to pay to go there or something since we are not guests there...nope guess not. We walked in and asked the door man where the pool was, he told us and we headed up. This pool and roof top area was pretty awesome. I felt like royalty for a couple hours. It reminded me a little bit of the movie The Help though. It was a bunch of white people being waited on by black people. It is very segregated here...sad. Of course, Dillon and I got lost getting out of the hotel. I really didn't even think that was possible? For me it is. I think we took the service elevator or something. We managed to find out way out.

Thursday, Maggi and I went south down the coast. We took the train down there. Pretty sure that was my first time on a train. Kind of cool. We hung out at a few beaches, had some delicious seafood for lunch.

The rest of the time I have spent working and going out. Two nights in a row of going out and staying up until 4 am does not go well for a 30 year old! Fun times though! Met some guys from England and one Irish, very fun to go out with and man they can drink! Reminded me of being in Ireland...so loved hanging out with them.

Oh I forgot, I went to a football game here (soccer), one of the best games I have seen! The Cape Town Ajax scored 3 goals in the last 10 mins to win the game. I kind of like watching soccer.

 roof top at the hotel

 dillon wearing my shades (he doesn't normally where girly shades, I don't think)

 St. James Bay

 one dude I have met who is not German

 does anybody else think he looks like the guy from the movie Knotting Hill, the guy that opens the door in his underwear. he kind of acts like him too.

Old man rivers passed me by...

So for Vday I decided to hike up Table Mountain with a few folks mostly Germans. WTF was I thinking. I think I was a bit ambitious for my first hike in 15 years. As I was walking up, an old man passed me up, I'll refer to him as Gramps. I wish I was kidding. We were resting, but still. Then later on up the mountain, I passed Gramps again. He was on my tail the whole time. At one point, he said, you are doing a good job. Being 30, I think I was closer to his age or that's what it felt like anyways. I was so slow going up, that's what I get for hanging out with youngens again. It was the most strenuous thing I have done in a LONG time. Well worth it though! Once again amazing views. And I was very proud of myself for hiking up Table Mountain! Table mountain is the mountain in the background of pics of Cape Town. There are so many places to hike here. (Cody and Shelly you two definitely should visit CT).


Happy Vday everyone! Most of us from the hostel are going to a love sucks party tonight - my kind of party!

Germans and flowers...

 Sabastian (the 100th German guy I have met since I have been here) and me with my make shift hat/scarf to protect my head from the scorching sun!

 at Green Market Square

 This seemed like a magical place like a fairy tale land. Perfect place for a picnic or outdoor concert.





Saturday I went to the Old Biscuit Market - this place was packed with tourists. Delicious food everywhere! Then went to Green Market Square downtown CT. Lots of souvenirs and things. Sunday I went to the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. I can't even describe how beautiful it was and pics do not do it justice. I can't believe I am going to admit reading Twilight but I am - it reminds of the part in the book where Bella and Edward walk into this beautiful meadow. I had similar experience as Bella. ;) The sites in CT are amazing...seriously.

So last night I decided to keep up with my new tradition of going "clubbing". We went  to Camps Bay and saw Goldfish - a popular DJ over here - they were actually really good. I enjoyed the music. I felt like I should have either been doing coke or been really wealthy or both to fit in there. Other than that it was pretty cool.

Today I spent the day at the beach - perfect day for it. Saw some surfers on the water. They look like seals in their black wet suits I can see why the great whites are attracted to them. There is a slight chance I might try surfing...what do you all think? 

Gotta go get up to the bar!

Too much wine can result in passing out and missing the afterparty...

Yesterday I went on a wine tour.

As our tour guide said at the beginning of our tour, "Lifes all about choices." I am glad I made the choice to go on a wine tour. It was fabulous! Our day was filled with sipping wine and indulging ourselves with chocolate and cheese. What could go better with wine? The sites at the different vineyards were amazing. As we were sipping our wine we had a backdrop of rolling hills and the leaves and grapes of the vine. The views were spectacular along the entire way and the wine delicious. The wine at Annandale’s vineyard owned by Gerhard (Hempies) du Toit, former Springbok player, was delicious. We had the privilege of meeting him, he was a sweet, welcoming man. Tom you would love these vineyards!

It's tough to keep up with 18 and 20 year olds.

Taking a 3 month vacation was a good idea. It's so nice to not have to rush to see everything I a short period of time. From now I am taking 3 month vacations! :)

Yesterday I wandered down to the Waterfront with yet another German. Shocking I know. I'm kind of hung over so it's difficult to remember what I even did yesterday. The waterfront was pretty cool. Lots of shops and restaurants. We sat down for a class of wine and listened to some live African music, pretty cool. We watched some boats leave the harbor, as I was watching I spotted a seal. It came up on the harbor and sunned him/herself. It was so cute!

Then we walked through a park near Greenpoint Stadium. There was an outdoor workout area I may use that is if I am not hung over. Its difficult to keep up with the youngens. I'll get to that more little later. When we got back I took a two hour nap, life is rough here. Then I had to work. Work was super cool we had another Braai. Delicious! Great company, drinks and good food! Well like a typical, lame 30 year old I wanted to go to bed after work which was 11, but oh no all the teeny boppers wanted to go out at midnight and I am easily influenced I guess. So another night on the town. I met someone at the bar whose mother lives in MN and he had a Vikings tattoo. Made me miss my fam and friends back home! It was cool to meet a couple more Americans. Didn't go to bed until 4 am and once again feeling it today! I think that's why I have about 3 run on sentences in this blog so far.

Today I went to on a hop on hop off bus tour. It was informative and saw some of the most beautiful sites in cape town for sure! I went up to Table Mountain and saw the entire city (I didn't go all the way to the top). What a view! Then went to Camps Bay beach. One of the coolest beaches i have seen. The waves were awesome. The views and sites to see in Cape Town are amazing! My boss told me I had the most distinct American accent he had ever heard and I should take that as a compliment. :)

On the agenda tomorrow. Wine tour! All day...for free!

It is so hot!

I'm sitting here sweating. It has been so hot the past few days. Last night I actually got up in the middle of the night and wet my towel with cold water and put it on my face to cool me down, so I could sleep. Dorm life living is interesting. People go to bed at different times and wake up at different times. So sleep is a bit interrupted but okay so far.


A couple days ago I went to a Rugby tournament by Greenpoint Stadium within walking distance of my hostel. It was pretty cool to watch. Lots of drunk people and Rugby.


This morning I went to the beach for a few hours before I had to work. Very nice beach. The water was freaking cold though! Similar to Lake Superior. We went to the beach where models and weight lifters are known to go I guess. Well turns out there was a model shoot going on right next to us. Maggi (the other intern I work with) and I asked if we could be in the shoot as plus size models and got denied ;) I spent the rest of the day working. Good times at the bar tonight though! Mom and dad - I had good practice tonight bartending for when I come home and live with you after my trip.


I'm enjoying the weather...kind of (sometimes its a little too hot, but still like it) and the people.

 

The peeps in this pic are from all over...Poland, Germany, England, Argentina and South Africa.

Maggi and I (the other intern)

Having major problems trying to post pics. I'll try later.

Baboons Everywhere!

Yesterday I came back caked in sand and salt water. It was so windy! I went to Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope, and Table Mountain National Park. So it was me and three Germans. I am pretty sure I will be fluent in German by the end of this trip. There are a lot of people from Germany that come to visit Cape Town. I had to keep telling them, English please! So on our way to the park we came across a Baboon on the side of the road, so we decided to pull over and take a pic. It was sitting in a tree across the road. Pretty cool. Then I turned around and right on the side of the road next to me there was a whole family! I started snapping pics and then they started coming closer, I ran into the car!(I saw a sign earlier that wrote that Baboons can be dangerous). One of the guys opened the window and threw out a banana (mind you there was a sign that said DO NOT feed the Baboons) he apparently missed that sign. The Baboon ate and came closer to the car and saw a 2nd banana in the car it literally jumped on the car! It was freaky, exciting and funny all at the same time. So we decided to leave after that. After this we went into the state park and the women said do not feed the baboons or you will be fined and gave us a brochure.

It wrote:

Do not feed the baboons.
Do not get close to them.
If they approach you move away slowly.
Do not keep food insight or they may attack.

We literally did not follow any of those rules. Well I followed some, the one German not so much. Good times!

Cape Point was beautiful. We went hiking along the point and it was so windy hence being caked in sand and salt water. After that we went to Boulders to see the Penguins. They were so cute! I will post some pics and a video of the penguins. We then had a delicious lunch at a restaurant in Simonstown and then headed back to Cape Town.

Later in the night we decided to go "clubbing". Do people still do that at the age of 30? Well I decided to and I AM feeling it today. My younger partners in crime seemed to be just fine today (not hung over and not tired). We went to a bar/club last night that played reggae music and danced...a lot! Then proceeded to go to a Cuban bar and danced a bit more. Apparently we didn't get home until 4:30 a.m.! It will be a long night at work tonight :)

So today I trained/worked managing the front desk at the hostel. I like it. There are periods of time where there is a few things to do all at once so that part can be stressful but obviously nothing like my last job. I did get a chance to go out today for a jog along the coast. It was nice feeling the sun on my face, smelling the ocean and enjoying the scenery. Of course I forgot my camera. I will try take some more pics soon and post them. Of course I did not do a very good job at posting the pics on my last blog - using all this technology is kind of weird and I suck at it (getting better though). I plan to go out and do some site seeing tomorrow on my day off (hopefully I remember my camera).

One of my favorite things about being here is meeting people from all over the world. So cool. This is only day two and I have met people from Germany, New Zealand, Chicago, France and Spain. The weather is awesome as well. Hot, but not too hot. Still getting used to the time zone.

Loving it here!