Last two weeks!

So as my last two weeks here come to close, I'm inundated with things to do and places to go and papers to write, so I doubt that I'll be updating this blog much more before I leave. I've also realized how fast all my money has gone, and loading graphics and things like my blog uses up all of my internet bandwidth, and I really wouldn't like to purchase more internet before I leave. On that note, Marita McComiskey, who is the UConn professor accompanying us on this trip, has become a skilled blogger and has put mine to shame. So if you'd like to find out more about our time in Cape Town, along with pictures and other student's insights and even the Cape Town weather forecast, you should look at her blog: http://marita4peace.blogspot.com. :)

It's been awhile!

Hello all,

So I'm down to my last three weeks in Cape Town and I realize yes, I haven't updated this blog since probably February.....I apologize! We've been so busy here, it's shocking to me that I've already been in South Africa for three months! But I've been having so much fun and learning so much--I don't think I'm ready to go home!

We just recently came back from our "spring" break excursion (I say "spring" because here it's turning into fall!). We took a week off and flew out to Durban, which is a coastal city farther up north. It was beautiful! We drove straight from the airport in Durban to a little village in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, called Hluhluwe (I will never be able to pronounce that). We stayed at a lodge there where antelopes and buffalo roamed the fields behind our chalets and there were lightning storms every afternoon. While we were there we got to go on a safari at the Umfolozi Game Reserve--absolutely amazing. Hands down one of the most exciting things since I've been in the country. We didn't see any elephants or lions (:( sadly enough) but we saw: warthogs, giraffes, zebras, impalas, inyalas (two types of antelope), buffalo, rhinos, a cheetah (from very far away, but still, a cheetah!), and all kinds of birds. Unfortunately it was a rainy day but it was still really cool. The next day we went on a ferry boat tour of the St. Lucia Estuary and got to see hippos and crocodiles and kingfishers. Then we drove back to Durban, which is so much greener and country-er than Cape Town, and stayed for a couple days in a hotel right on the beach. We went out to some really nice restaurants (a revolving one, one of 37 in the world), went to the beach, and went to an Indian market--Durban has a very high Indian population. From there we drove east to the Drakensberg Mountains, which I have officially decided is my new favorite place in the entire WORLD. The mountains are just endless. Our view out over our backyard was this huge green mountain, and every afternoon there would be a lightning and thunder storm over it and it would pour. The resort we stayed at was beyond beautiful, with a swimming pool and tennis courts and a human-size chess set. I could have stayed there forever. We did some hiking in the Drakensberg, and saw waterfalls and plenty of baboons. All in all, it was absolutely the best spring break I've ever had.

Of course, as soon as I got home RACHEL was here to visit! So it was really nice to be able to spend time with her and get to do more sightseeing in Cape Town. We climbed Table Mountain and even rented a car! I was so excited (but extremely nervous!) to drive on the wrong side of the road--I think we both agreed that it was the best day spent in South Africa, driving down to the Cape of Good Hope and to Boulder Beach to see the penguins. Since then, the school I intern at has been on holiday, so I've had some nice time off. I actually won't go back until the last week we're here, which is pretty sad because I do want to go back, but it's given me time to relax and get homework done and catch up on things like my BLOG! For the last three weeks, we're just all trying to cram in as much as we can and still get all our homework done! We plan on maximizing our beach time, although autumn is moving in and lately it's been about 60 degrees Fahrenheit, which is definitely a shock to the usual 90 degree weather!

I'm excited to go home and see everyone, but at the same time I know that as soon as I get home I'll only wish to be back in Africa. This trip has definitely opened doors for me and inspired me for my future--I'm pretty sure I've decided I want to become a children's social worker and work for an international non-profit, ideally. This trip has been so amazing, and I know the last three weeks will be even more spectacular--I'll update at least a couple more times before I go home, I promise. I hope all of you are well! :)