Travels and Classes

February 27, 2009

Today was the first day of classes and it was pretty exciting, despite the fact that it means I'll have to start doing something academic more regularly now. I got to walk around campus by myself a good amount and it often leaves me wondering if people are aware that I am American just by looking at me. I feel like it is often easier to tell if people are in groups, but when I am by myself I wonder if I'm still obvious (as long as I'm not talking and displaying my accent I suppose). My first professor for my religion course is actually American but I could tell that he has been living in South Africa for some time now by the way he spoke (not accent but otherwise) and the topics he brought up. At first I was kind of annoyed because I wanted a South African professor so that I can get a better feel for that, but he actually seems really smart and funny as well and I think the class will be really interesting. It will be nice to get an American expatriate South African resident perspective. I also started Afrikaans today which seems like its going to be somewhat challenging but I am excited to learn it.
We started our IES program history course last week and actually went on a west coast excursion up the coast to the north of here with our professor for that class. On the first few days of the week last week we had intensive history for 3 hours everyday, blah, but we also registered for clubs. I'm doing SHAWCO, which is a volunteer organization, so I will be going to an orphanage in a township at least once a week all semester starting next week. I'm also doing Habitat for Humanity and the Mountain Club. The Mountain Club seems like its going to be awesome, they do hikes at least once a week and the first one is this Wednesday and I can't wait!
Anywho, on Thursday morning we left really early and went up the coast to a prehistoric excavation site and got to see the remnants of some extinct species... it was sooo hot out but interesting I suppose. We stopped at this amazing place right on the water for lunch. The back porch of the restaurant was 30 yards from the water and there was a beautiful view with a jedi, and clear water and people swimming. We ate some really good fish there. Normally I don't like seafood but the seafood in this part of the world is soooooo good!
That night we stayed at this resort in the mountains with hotsprings. It was one of the most amazing getaways I've ever had. There are two pools, one hot one cold, on the main part of the resort area. The resort actually wasn't that big, which made it a bit cozier. There was a smallish restaurant, those two pools and then a few houses with suites in them that we and some other people were staying in. Behind the houses was a walkway up and then a bunch of hotsprings embedded in the mountain. The place we hung out at that night had two hot tube type hot springs higher up on the incline, and a bigger, cooler pool with a small waterfall right at the bottom. A bunch of us hung out there for a few hours and not only was the swimming amazing but you could see the most beautiful stars. You can't see the big and little dipper here like you can at home but orion's belt, or the three ladies as some people here call it, and the southern cross (although I couldn't distinguish that one that well). It was truly paradise, one of the best nights I've ever had.
Next day we went on a hike on the Sevilla Rock Painting trail to see a bunch of prehistoric rock paintings from the San people, who were the original settlers of South African land waaaay back in the day. It was soo hot out but there were really cool rock formations everywhere and it was sweet to see some of the paintings.
Friday night we got back late from the trip and were planning on going to the Big Bash, which is kind of like this homecoming party that UCT throws at the beginning of every 1st semester, but we didn't make it in time to get tickets so we just went to this bar in Observatory called Roots, which was really sweet. It was partially indoors, partially out and had sand everywhere, as well as couches and foosball.
That same night me Bubba and Mel met up with these guys we met at the UCT Springbok party the week before and went to Res, the UCT dorms, to hang out. The dorms are cool cause you can play guitar and stuff really loud until late at night. We smoked hookah and then went outside and smoked in this little dug out that keeps the wind away. We had a really good time with them, they are cool guys and we have good conversations. They are both white and from South Africa, and its cool to get a more local perspective and company.
Saturday I went to Camps Bay which is one of the beaches on the other side of the Mountain from the city and Mowbray. It is right at the peninsula with the 12 Apostles, one of the mountain areas, and its amazingly beautiful, as is typical around here. It was a good, relaxing time with me, Suzy - who I really like, Bubba, Sam, Louise, Lyle and Ruby.
Late Saturday and then on Sunday I actually felt a little down and out. I think I actually may have experienced a little culture shock that I definitely wasn't expecting. I was just really tired and feeling somewhat pessimistic. I didn't go out on Saturday night even though I wasn't too tired in terms of the amount of sleep I had gotten recently. I also didn't do anything on Sunday - I actually went over to the Alma house and hung out with Ryan. It helped actually - its nice to have someone here who shares friends with you back at school and who you can exchange comforting memories and experiences with. I went home and watched some Friends and took a nap and I am starting to feel better. I suppose I felt kind of lost, not being fully comfortable with my American friends/housemates, but also not feeling at home in my more general environment. But now that things are starting to pick up with class, and mountain club, and SHAWCO... well I'm damn excited for things to keep on-keepin on!!