FHM, Esquire, GQ- Marie Claire?!?

This entry has a lot of entries throughout the week, I just haven't been really posting because I've been so busy.

Sunday, 26/07/2009

“It was so tempting. He was just soooo nnniiiice. And we thought—not everybody is a bad person---,” Ben’s narrative on the man who sold us the shittiest chocolate bars in all the world as we sat at The Company’s Garden watching a wedding. They were aerated chocolate and tasted like they may or may not have been tasty back in Easter of 1990.

Lesson learned: don’t fall for good sales pitches from men wearing a cardboard box around his neck full of foreign looking candy bars and promotes that they haven’t expired, they are safe and mostly delicious.

Thursday, 30/07/2009

Just came back from a refreshing run in the rain- slipped on a loading dock, took a turn too quick and met the concrete. Aye, blood always makes things look worse than they are. Just keep running, right? Just adds more character to my beat up body ☺
This week has been hectic and busy, full of lectures and reading. I have found that academic life here is much more involved that at good old SUNY, in good ways and in bad. I’m not used to things yet, obviously, so I’m a bit culture shocked—to say the least. As I’m beginning to forget that it’s July and that I’m already in school, my academic life here is going to be rewarding. The courses are perfect for what I want to do with my B.A. in hopes of continuing for my masters.

As my religion Prof. put it, “When you get your B.A. what do you? You get your Masters. After your Masters, you get your Ph.D. After that you get unemployment.”

Or as my Production Prof. put it, “When you can’t do, you teach.”

Hopeful words of wisdom, that I find to be two bits of actual useful information, blunt honesty is my favorite, even if it stings a little.

Needless to say, I hope my outcome isn’t as gloomy as these jaded professors make it out to be, but I’m still young and somewhat optimistic about media.

On the other end of things, I’ve been trying to get out and do as many things as I can while I’m here. As much as I miss home, I need to see what the city is really about. Over the weekend we went to Canvendish, a great mall full of awesome stores, movies theatres, cafes and bookshops. We also went to the Market, where your more bargain shopping happens. It’s much more of a give and take trading, full of local fabrics and crafts. Oh and such amazing artwork.

The last weekend before lectures started, we tried to relax but do as much as we could before times got tight and stress ensued.

Friday, 31/07/2009

I thought I knew what I wanted to do, in terms of journalism, that’s the beauty of it, you find your niche and you stick to it. Although, like everything in life, you learn to change- you can’t be the same forever (who would want to be?), but I’ve taken a lot of interest in production design and media layouts. Which is so fun! At lecture, we have access to great equipment like Photoshop, Dreamweaver and so many other editing tools that it’s the closest to heaven I’ve been on Earth before. I’m such a nerd, but it’s going to be a great term if it keeps up the way it’s been going.

My dream: work for Rolling Stone, write a book and be an international correspondent for the NYT. HAHAHAA. RIGHT. I found that researching journalism here, the money isn't in writing, it's in production, designing-- basically whatever it takes to sell a paper or website is where you should be concentrating on. Sure, I'd love to be among the likes of Hunter S. Thompson, Truman Capote, Hemingway, Mailer, etc, but I can always idolize and strive to achieve the accomplishments of the greats.

Popularity of news pieces here are interesting. I picked up some mags from the market and it was a unique blend of journalism that people swear their life by. Cosmo in huge along with Glamour, Elle, Marie Clair, FHM (which news to me, is a guys mag and I bought one not even looking at the chicks mostly naked on the cover and was eager to read it. Oh, ignorance you follow me everywhere... ) GQ is also quite big, along with Men's Health. Not a lot of hardcore journalism mags outside of Time and Newsweek. Just goes to show that America has a great standard for journalism (not ideal) but it really is everywhere.

I found some great South African music on SL's site: check it out! www.slmagazine.co.za. They have streaming playlists that are pretty awesome.

I don't want to get paid tons of money for writing or doing things with my degree. I want to feel the passion and respect that I feel when I read something that changes my view just a little bit, I want to change that for someone as the idols of my life have changed mine. You don't always have to hate your job-- at least, if you follow your heart, even if it's a poorly paid career, not the BEST working conditions, or even a promising future. To me, writing is about what's inside, it's what you already have not about what money can buy. It's that piece of literature or that one quote that makes you see what life is here for.

* * *

Tonight, I’m going out with Marthe, my housemate, to some fancy restaurant that I have to head to the mall and find a decent looking outfit for. My stained jeans and cardigan wouldn’t fly. Bummer. Plus, my knees look like I’m domestically abused so wearing a dress or skirt may just be out of the question. Again, bummer.

Just as North America has gotten massive amounts of rain, so has Africa. When it rains here it doesn’t rain down, it rains horizontally. I weigh roughly 45 kilos (100 lbs) and when that mountain wind mixes with pelting rain, I just about fall over. They don’t lie about needing a raincoat. Umbrellas are a joke because they just can’t take it and seize to last you to your destination. Another thing to add to the shopping list: a raincoat. I walked up to lecture today, which from my flat is about 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) and by the time I got to my religion lecture, I looked like I had showered in my clothes. Plus it’s cold! That tingly feeling you get in your toes, when you feel like a million needles are burrowing into your skin and that pain you get when in Upstate NY gets its winter, you want to move to the other side of the world-- because, you... just... can't... take... it...

So I looked like a hot mess this morning. Luckily, I misread my timetable and to my advantage just had that one course today, yess! The walk down on the other hand, not so nice! The rain picked up even more, the streets are really narrow as it is and everything began to flood. Cars in the city don't give a shit about pedestrians and find it comical to find the deepest deposit of rain and splash it all over you at street corners. Thanks! Swimming home is my new hobby and I returned even more wet, which I didn’t think I could get more drenched, and I’m going to work on my writing today in my warm, DRY clothes.

As Ben just stated, “WHO ORDERED THIS MESS?”

As the rain hits the roof and the sounds of little beads permanently places itself as my soundtrack, I’m getting used to being here. I thought I wasn’t able to, but I know that it has taken a positive take on me and that my perspective of life has opened up tenfold.

Pretty boring blog this entry, sorry. It’s been a hectic week in the not so great way. More to come this weekend, I’m sure.
Cheers,
Mel

Just keep climbing.

What a beautiful Saturday morning. I woke up to kids playing next door and a baby crying, heh. Did the dishes. Just made some toast, cut up a fresh apple, pressed some coffee and now I’m enjoying it all on the patio with little Rastafarian (my neighbors black kitty). She’s just playing with the leaves that have fallen off some of the trees and asking me to share my breakfast with me… ☺

Yesterday was a great day- very tiring, but very awesome. We had registration yesterday, which wasn’t the most eventful, and waiting in very long queues forever! Step after step I became a registered student- I enrolled in four courses that will award me with 14 credits when I return home, that means only 15 more I think until graduation in May. Power, Media, and Culture; Print Journalism Production; International Politics; Christianity, Muslim and Islam are my courses I chose for the term. I tried to take a load of well-rounded courses. It was difficult to get into the media courses without having taken any of their pre-requirements. I was going to take another one but I had to go to the Prof for permission—so being me, I did try to find him.

I went to the Film and Media Centre where I had no idea where to go but after being a lost dog, I found what I thought was the reception area, where two adults were conversing—so I approached them and said, “Excuse me, but I was looking for Dr. Chumo’s office, do you happen.,.” and I was cut off. The gentleman (who was far from one) stormed out muttering that he can’t stand how rude people can be and the woman was like, “are you an international student? I suppose we need to teach you some manners so you can bring them home with you. You’re American, aye?”

The thing about South African attitude that I’ve found is that they say it all with a great smile and still somehow make you feel like your two inches high just because you’re American or whatever else. I again proposed my problem and she said, “That man that just stormed out is whom you need to speak to but I suggest being polite when you speak to him.” I thought I was polite! Anyway I found rude man and knocked on his door as I was instructed and the only thing he said, “American, you’re following me! WHY??” Oh god, I just decided to take another course instead of another journalism course, my time hadn’t started off very well and I was concerned that he may be one of my professors. I do not want to start off that way so I apologized, played the ignorant-I’m-from-New-York card and called it a day. Registered for some other interesting courses.

I also decided that I am going to do Mountain and Ski club where they arrange different trips around Cape Town to go hiking and exploring—so it’s a good way to see more of the city and not just be stuck around the University. I’m digging out my adventurous side that I got from who knows where and use it to my advantage. In Upstate New York there really aren’t many places to express that side of you, when you’re bogged down with assignments and responsibilities. I’ve found some dividing differences living in New York and living here. While here you’re not totally void of a social conscious, you want to do so many things—the stress and pressure doesn’t hinder over you like a black cloud ready to burst. It’s much more of a mindset of assurance, that it will get done and that you just don’t have to worry about it—it’s more about having more faith in yourself than leaning onto others for an approval.

Life is about living, not worrying about how to live.

After the paperwork yesterday morning--- a bunch of us got together and went hiking. It was perfect yesterday, a slight breeze and warmth in the sun. There are so many hiking paths on the campus that lead you onto Table Mountain or Devil’s Peak. There are so many that it’s hard to choose what path you want to take. We really didn’t have a plan per say, so we just went for it. We saw the Rhoades memorial built right next to the school—well there many, but this one was awesome. It had Egyptian like lions kneeing in honor of him and a plaque under Cecil that acknowledged he was a genius. It was interesting as you got higher into the hike to see the city shrink in size but expand with perspective. By the time we reached the finishing point, which we were hoping we would get to Devil’s Peak, but the sun went against us and decided to set a little. At where we stopped, you could see the two oceans, the Indian and the Atlantic, Hout Bay, False Bay, Cape Town Airport, the University and so many other things. It was time stopping. All the work to get up there was totally worth it and completely worth any hardships in life—it erases all the bad times, those time you felt down about a bad grade, a bad relationship, an underprepared for bill, whatever ills your mood—this took it away and reminded you that you have life in your hands and that this in front of you in yours to capture and take advantage of. While having that power it also reminds you that remaining kind to nature is just as important—having all of that beauty right in front of me, the naturally gorgeous energy that pumps through Earth’s veins places an importance in my everyday life not only to take time to remember it’s there but also to respect it whenever possible.

On top of the mountain the wind took me over and I legitamatley thought I was going to fall off a cliff- but it was such a force of nature that kept me feeling comfortable. It was almost as if Mother Nature was having fun with us, letting us experience the power and energy that the Earth has. Truly a magical adrenaline rush.

Today is up in the air, maybe figuring out how to use the washing machine—I should have paid more attention when the cleaning lady was showing us. None of us can figure it out so I don’t feel so bad. I have caught some light cold but it’s annoying to being trying to do things with a runny nose. Maybe take a jog around the canal will jumpstart me a bit.

I have two days left of summer vacation! I might as well make use of it because in a few weeks time, if it’s anything like home- I will be praying for time off.

More soon.
Ciao,
*Mel

It was rainy and cold all day—all I wanted to do was curl into my blankets and sleep. Orientation has been incredibly tiring and somewhat demanding, leaving us with very little time to relax and actually conclude we are in a different country. In the morning my flatmates and I hiked up to UCT and had a lecture about how to set up your PC and things… pretty boring. Although, after that we were informed about some of to clubs/societies/organizations we want to join. We get a max of 3 to join for free and then you have to pay for extra ones for the term. The cost is only around $3 but after you join 3 it becomes a salsa dance with time and scheduling. No bueno.

They showed us one called Ubunyu- an organization that helps to teach school from kindergarten to senior year and you can pick what concentration out of the three they offer. They have a Media School that assigns you a small group of children and you teach them how to become journalists so much so that you get to develop a newspaper with them and by the end of the term your finished product is an actual paper. That got me so excited.

Journalism and news is one of my only genuine passions in life, to record and capture what many in certain societies would never see I believe to be one of the more important aspects of living. While consequently always taking time to record life prevents you from living, finding the balance of story telling and living is where the challenge comes in and that what I hope to instill as an American journalist in an area that has little media freedom. Aside from Ubunyu, the orientation group took us to a SHAWCO area. SHAWCO is one of the oldest organizations in the area that helps not only children but everyone in the community. They have various centers throughout Cape Town that preschool small children, make a music centre from young teens and have an elderly centre.

It was breathtaking to see the levels of poverty that outside of where I am staying is only a 20-minute drive and is like night and day. I live in a very rich area opposed to where these people live, in shacks and in really dangerous end of things. We arrived and you could hear the children dancing and laughing, a sound that cascaded light into such a dark area. Their playground would be considered boring in America, no bright plastic monstrosities, simple wooden contraptions that allow kids to imagine reaching the sky and feeling like nothing can hurt them anymore—as I did when I was little on top of the school castle. The simple swing set blew and danced in the wind, almost inviting you to enjoy the groovy path it took you, an up and down, back and forth ideal that replicates the repetition of life. Unbeknownst to young children playgrounds represent so much, which they will only begin to understand so much later in life and the sad part, some never realize it.
As one of my new African friends told me, “It seems as you get older, you forget the essentials—you laugh less, you cry less and you become more immune.”

And when people continually ask me “Why Africa?” I’m going to give then Frans number.

We got a tour of the centre where we first went into the childrens’ hall. Twenty or so were fast asleep in little rows on the floor, rolling in blankets like hot dogs. The next room was the snack room where a group of about the same size was eating rice and something orange? They wore smocks and were interacting with each other by stealing grains of rice and throwing it at their neighbor, giggling and then looking to see if the conveyor saw them. And if they weren’t caught they gave each other a high five. Some kids waved to us when we entered, others were shyer. I can imagine the scary situation they must have felt when 30 foreigners walk in and just stare at them. One little boy was so animated, he thought he was Spiderman and posed when I asked them if they want to see what their picture looks like. They loved the attention we gave them and whined when we had to leave and move on to the music area. It was sad to leave the room full of their artwork and the beginning memories of their life that when they look back on someday they will envy the simplicity of it all.

The music room was neat. Young adults were discovering they had talent. The group performed their songs for us that they wrote and that they plan on going to a local club on Long St. to expose themselves a bit more. The life experiences they share and incorporate into their music was evident along with their admiration towards making music art.
We also visited the elderly section where they were busy with making beaded necklaces. They were confused to why their were so many people around them but once they understood they gave us advice, “Once you finish you studies at UCT, carry your youth with you wherever you go—even if your body ditches it, your mind never does.”

The rest of the day made me think a lot about how I want to spend my time and my brain was tired from all the possibilities. After a delicious lunch at Kaui, I took a nap for about 3 hours, my body was telling me sleep was necessary.

My friends and I wanted to go out downtown because today we had our first day off since we’ve been here. We heard of this great bar called Roots, it’s an inside beach and a techno dance club. Sounds crazy but it’s really a laid back place. The entire night only cost me $10 and it was one of best nights here. There are these chicks that walk around in leather jump suits with whips and offer you shooters or shots for only R9 about $1.15 a shot. The shots here are tiny but the alcohol in them is 40% by volume. Black widow vodka is awesome. I met a lot of locals that were very nice and loved to talk to me about my tattoos. I was watching the soccer game that was playing at the bar and some guy asked me what team I like and the only soccer team I know of is Manchester United, so that’s what I said and ironically they were playing against Malaysia and he laughed said, “you must be from the States?” haha, I love how people can call out an American with a 10 foot pool. The atmosphere was to die for, very lax and very low key but at the same time an upbeat alliance that was built between you and everyone that you encountered. That is going to be one of my favorite bars here.

Today I plan on just chilling. Which apparently in South Africa is a new term and people think it’s sooo cool to say, let’s chill. I love studying different dialects and slang I find it so interesting. Most locals don’t respond to “What’s up?” Their equivalent is, “Howzit bru?” Which means, what’s up, dude.

Class starts Monday morning! I’m excited and nervous. Most international students have no idea to study journalism so my classmates are going to be local students, which I’m excited because you tend to find internationals hanging out with only internationals, but I’m not afraid of making friends at all. It’s why I came here.
Ciao for now,
*Mel

From Mandela to the Drum Line.

I have to recap yesterday and today and after writing so many emails, I’m kind of tired, but I will try my best. And from the drumming I did today, my hands are decently sore! Yes, I drummed. Don’t laugh.

Let’s start off with yesterday. We woke up around 7am ☹ and met everyone up on middle campus to begin the tour. We loaded into tour buses and were taken downtown, to really great places that I will be going on when I have free time. I saw where Nelson Mandella gave his freedom speech, the first slavery house, a really beautiful castle, the best hotel in all of South Africa, a Muslim village that is painted in all different pastel colors! Very cool! The architecture is influenced by so many places that colonized that what stands today is like nothing I have ever seen, so intricate and beautiful.

Our first stop was the beach at Cape Point. A very popular wealthier area of Cape Town, where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet. So one side of the area is cold winds and the trees have no leaves and the other side of the area is colorful and warm. Both are gorgeous. We got 10 minutes to take pictures at the beach and then our next stop, the penguins! We drove a while and I fell asleep because the 7 am wake up call the morning after I discover $5 bottles of wine was not sooo great, I needed sleep. Haha.

The penguins were great, they smelled super bad but they were really cute and they live right near the ocean, so they have a good view. What a life! And my camera died after visiting them, which was such a shame, for what to come was a memory I will have forever and would have loved to have a picture to remind me.

After the penguins, one of the highlights I’ve seen in my whole life. Everyone thinks of Africa has being this lost motherland that exists but it’s far away, it’s disease ridden and it’s full of violence. Which it is and if you’re not careful you can certainly fall into the wrong hands. Although, for last 15 years or so since apartheid ended and South Africa grew it’s independence the communities have struggled to call this place a home. The government gives so little and what resources people have is low. We were taken to Oceanview- a very small and very poverty stricken area of Cape Town. We went to the recreational and recovery center for children where kids go for help with homework, family support, food, etc. It’s a place for change in families that struggle to make ends meet. Most kids that go there have single parent homes and live a very harsh reality at a young age. They have better street smarts than anyone I know. Violence and gangs are popular but the kids that we met are trying to overcome.

When we drove into the community, children were sitting on the sidewalks, with their homes behind them—some windows were made from tarps, roofs were caving in, it was sad. Dogs were running around but playing with the kids and the kids seemed more at peace than I felt. They were happy but only because they knew no other way of life- and for the next few hours they opened up their home to a bunch of strangers. And it was the best feeling I’ve gotten since I’ve been here. It beats the beautiful ocean views and the big homes along the cape. This was the place where life happens and where families are created. It’s a place where love means something. And you can actually feel the definition of an emotional idea. Something I’ve been chasing my entire life.

We walked into the community centre with warm welcoming arms; the kids were excited to see so many people. We were seated in what looked like a gym area and around us was the most food I could ever see. The host came up to the microphone and began speaking, the director of the centre explaining what her programme does and how it developed. What I didn’t know was that children had prepared a show for us, a variety of acting, singing and dancing. The ages went from very young about 5 years old to about 20. The way these kids dedicate their lives to perfecting their found talent took me away. For a few minutes I lost myself, I found myself questioning what I was doing with my life and finding the answer in these kids. You could tell the raw life they lived was nothing at that moment, they were enjoying themselves, it literally brought me to tears. And I don’t cry over much.

The most humble and grateful people I’ve encountered. They could dance and sing like no other because they put so much of themselves on the line and so much of their soul sat right next to you as you saw their dedication right in front of your very eyes. Then to top it off, they prepared us so much food. There are about 400 international students that they performed for and prepared food for and there was enough for all of us to go up for seconds.

The look in their eyes, the atmosphere and the energy was the best overall feeling. It brought a new kind of warmth to my life that I’m going to chase in order to get it back again. And I will.

It was hard to beat that.

As one of the performers, a rap artist- who is currently releasing a CD around South Africa said to us, “We live in Oceanview, where no matter where you go, you can never seen the ocean.”

After leaving there, I was in a different place and thought things couldn’t get me out of that state of mind. The bus brought us to see wild baboons that are popular around here like raccoons are in the US along with wild ostrich. It was cool to just see them on the side of the road as we see cows or horses.

We were then taken to the peninsula- where we took the most amazing hike. It took my breath away in more ways than one. It was first off very steep! And second when you got to the top you could see both oceans and you felt like you googled “South African Cape” and you were in the picture that came up. We also hiked to one of the oldest light houses on the cape built in the 1800’s, very cool.

Overall yesterday, was a great day!

Today—we got to sleep in, only until 9. A lot of paper work and lectures today but around 16oo we went to a hall on campus and a drum line played for us. It was called Drum Café and I thought that it was just going to be a performance but when we walked into the hall, at every seat was a drum of your own. The band taught us how to drum in traditional African. It was amazing, even thought my hands hurt really bad. The passion that those men have is incredible, along with the dedication they carry.

Check out their website- www.drumcafe.com.

Afterwards we were served a gourmet catered meal, that was incredible. After being vegetarian for a long time now, I decided that if I didn’t try meat in Africa I would be missing out on what they are about. Yesterday I tried some lamb and I got sick so today I was a little worried but I was starving but it was difficult not to be. I had fresh salmon, chicken, fired shrimp, a quiche that tasted like sausage pizza, and a taco looking thing that was delicious. Also there were fresh pea pods, fruit and savories that were mouth-watering. My first tasty meal here and I enjoyed on the steps of a UCT building watching the sunset. Life has gotten to be ok.

I’m sure the special treatment will wear off after orientation, but I will for sure take advantage of it now!
Well, I have concluded that my blog posts this week are going to be lengthy, I hope you made it this far in the reading. Tomorrow is going to be relatively boring, with just lectures and a entrance test. Other than that, I might go looking for a type of bike to ride instead of hiking everywhere.
Ciao!
*Mel

Alive in Cape Town

First few days here....

So being in South Africa so far, the past… three days has been terrifying, creative, awesome, elite, idealistic, earth shattering, fantastic. Really there are not enough adjectives to sit down with and really pinpoint. I’ve learned a lot in the last few days on a lot of levels, for sure.

Coffee, first off, kicks ass. It’s espresso coffee so it’s really just like having a lot of espresso, super strong and New York bitter. It’s great. The food on the other hand, heh. It’s a hit or miss really. The produce is great, it’s cheap and fresh. Ceres juice, in the States it costs about $8, the same size here costs about $2. We’ll touch on groceries later though, I really don’t want to get ahead of myself.

The plane ride was better than expected. Very long and extensive, with crappy food and poor service and tinier bathrooms than Southwest offers. When I arrived in Johannesburg, I was barricaded with a porter, who I was later informed helps you with your bags and hurries you to your next location. We got off the plane and there were a sea of people holding signs and screaming in tons of different dialects, none of which were English. I was confused and that was when the porter came by and ripped my luggage from my hand and screamed, “You go SAA, jaa?” He shook his hed and rushed forward. “We take you there, come weth me.” He scurried past the crowd and ushered us upstairs. I felt in a lot of ways like a celebrity, but in others like something bad was going to happen already. Andrew and I were exchanging looks as confused as confused can be—we were brought to the check-in and he spitted, “Tiep generously, mah sista!”

“What?” I was taken back.

The two porters spoke in some language and he repeated, “Tiep generously, mah sista, 50/50 credit,” he motioned towards his partner who helped Andrew with his luggage. He rubbed his fingers together and he gave me the deepest and scariest look I’ve seen in my life. I handed over R100 = $10 and screamed, I need R20 in change,” I handed him my sparkly new R100 and prayed for the return demand. That would leave both of them with about R40 each = $4 in tip. He spitted at the floor, handed me my change and dropped the bag on the floor. They were never seen again.

Other than luggage issues, the terminal was filled with other international students that were overtired and just as eager as I was. I met a lot of people there waiting for our two hour flight. Which wasn’t a bad one.
We landed in Cape Town around 1pm here. Don’t forget the six-hour time difference! So about 7 am in the States. The sky was clear and the atmosphere was chilly. I was exhausted. I didn’t eat much on the plane or sleep that much so I was completely as jet lagged as it can get. We were met by orientation leaders after we claimed our luggage and rushed into a Cape Town Shuttle, that was illegally parked and being honked at and now had about 30 kids loading their baggage and themselves on it. Not very happy people were surrounding us.

Welcome to Cape Town.

We sat on the bus waiting for others to get off their flights, others coming from all over. I’ve met people from Germany, Norway, all over the States, France, Denmark…etc. We were driven into town where we passed shanties and slums and then mansions and the great Table Mountain that the tour guides give it NO justice. That mountain gives every other mountain I have ever seen to shame. It’s amazing.

This part of the trip gets boring because the orientation students didn’t really know what they were exactly doing so we were as lost as they were and we really just didn’t know a lot about where we were and most of us were exhausted. I slept in my temp dorm and just ate whatever Special K bars I had left over from the plane ride, thanks Jen! They really did save my life.
The fun didn’t really start until yesterday. A bunch of us went to walk around on Main St. where we found an Internet Café that has amazing java and biscotti for only about $1.50. You can use the Internet for about 2 hours or 40 mb. So if you go on Facebook or Skype it eats through your usage and your time. I was kicked off after about an hour, so that’s not too bad.
We went out to Long St. last night. We met up with a girl who has lived in South Africa before, but from Denmark and she kind of cradled us through things. Long St is the nightlife and where all the bars are and most of the University students. If you say college, they think you’re high school. So we called a taxi and went to The Waiting Room on Long. It was packed with locals, malls, shops, vendors, bars, clubs, record shops—SO MUCH FUN! The Waiting Room was nice, kind of like Bombers in Albany, but just a bar. They had a 3 floor balcony you can see a lot of Long st from and drinks were pretty cheap. A vodka/Redbull was R37 = $4.50. A vodka tonic was a bit less. And yes, I only had two drinks.

They play mostly American music, but from like 1996, so N’SYNC is the shit over here. They put deep African beats to it though, so it’s the same but much cooler. Dancing is big. Very big and amazing to watch people really get into Justin Timberlake in his limelight.

We came home early, around midnight. We had to wake up early to check out and get shuttled to our individual apts. On the lift up to my dorm, my friend Brittany from North Carolina and I stumbled upon two guys from Northern Africa that are UCT engineering students, Tsepo, Iileka. We ended up talking to them until 3am. We were so interested in each other’s culture that it did not feel that late at all. I learned so much. Their reputation of Americans is that we party and that’s why we come to UCT for the cheap drinks the nightlife. They found that Brittany and I were very chill and very not like what they had met before. So it was good to change a perspective on someone for once into a more positive light or at least a different light.
They told us some interesting things. UCT is equivalent and taken as seriously as Harvard or top Ivy League schools in the US. It’s 152 ranked on the worlds best University’s. So many little things and great differences. The average SA makes about $17,000 and they are well off. They get paid monthly and were shocked that I said I got paid weekly. The telecommunications is obviously aged around 1992 in the US, with the pre-pay system and the slow connections. It’s just a matter of time for upgrades; I can see it coming already. South Africa is very technological aware. Tsepo said that the science buildings have plasma screen computers and very high tech lab work. Once he graduates with his equivalent of a B.A. in America, he will be making close to $50,000. And he said he will be rich. He had no idea or had never known anyone except his professors to receive anything higher than a B.A. A masters or doctrine was unthinkable. Also, as an engineering major he is sponsored by an engineering company to attend school, they pay his tuition and train him to work for them. When he gets out of school, he has a job and is trained for it already. Makes SO MUCH SENSE.

Meeting them was fun! We exchanged phone numbers and all of us plan on going to see a movie sometime. Oh and they almost fell over when I told them that a movie ticket is around $10-$15 = R87-R110. That’s a lot of money!
This morning when we got shuttled over and met our landlords. They were extremely nice and welcoming. They brought us to Groveneveld, don’t pronounce the G and replace it with an H and squeeze the “ve” together, say it super fast. It almost sounds German. Although when I told Ben that, he laughed and said yea, sure!

After we got settled in Ben and I along with our friends down the road in Cobbles, walked into Main St for lunch and groceries. The flat is gorgeous. Around 100 years old. So imagine walking into a hours from the 1900’s, but in South Africa. The bathrooms are tiny and we have an exclusive water head with hot water out backing the yard for some beautiful outside bathing. My room is good sized but COLD. There is no heat and not air conditioning. The windows have a “winter” setting that means they are cracked open at the top instead of the bottom so the rooms have a great cross breeze. After 4:30pm you get chilly though and you bundle up like you would in late November. Yikes, I think I may cave in by next week and buy a heater at the Pick N Pay.

Getting groceries gave me a headache. All the conversions and what I actually was buying was intense. I also had to buy electricity at the market, airtime for my phone and figure out how to access the Internet. Luckily the walk is only about 10 minutes. After buying necessities, like juice, fruit, tea, bread, peanut butter, nuttella, salt, butter, etc, it wound up costing about R250 = 30. I put R100 towards electric and loaded R100 on my airtime. The trip cost me about $54. We ate lunch at a Elmo’s pizza that is wood fried and DELCIOUS. We got garlic pita on the side and life became ok. It’s getting easier to see myself being here for a while but still nothing beats home.

Tomorrow we go to the Peninsula Tour where I meet my penguin friends and take LOTS of pictures. My camera is in overload. I don’t like to take a lot out in public though… looking like a tourist is easy amongst locals. And that is very bad thing you learn very quickly! Walking down the street you think all the buses passing by are hitting on you, as they whistle extremely loud and yell in some dialect unknown to me. It’s really just a taxi service and whistling is their marketing tool. There are only a few taxi places you can trust here and trust that you’re not getting ripped off but that they are going to bring you to where you want. I got the ones I like so far in my phone and it’s much easier.

Bah, I’ve talked SO much. I’m starting to talk in my head in an accent because everyone around me has one and I am starting to say a few words like SAs, which isn’t a bad thing. Assimilation is a good thing, but I also feel like a phony—but I can’t help it! When everyone around you says different terms and different pronunciations for things, you have to say it like they do or they don’t know what you’re talking about. And like the Canadians, saying aye after things, they say, jah. And everyone seems like a question, yeah? (Ignore the “y” replace with a long a)

I can’t write about everything, it would take me all night.

All for now, it’s naptime. Miss and love everyone!
-Mel

Pre-departure

Ahh, so South Africa tomorrow, aye? It seems like this day really would never get here or that I wouldn't have made it thus far. It seems obviously, that I have. For that I consider myself one of the most grateful people in the world to be flown across the world and given the opportunity to explore an entirely new culture. Nervous? YES, very... but that should soon be taken over my excitement and adapting to new surroundings and a very different lifestyle. The University of Cape Town seems like a beautiful place, I cannot wait to set my eyes on it.

The flight over on the other hand... not as intriguing. Hello dramamine.

While my last load of laundry churns in the dryer and my suitcase remains half packed, my last minute self is scurrying to find things to throw in my carry on. I am a procrastinator and I am fully aware of it. Something you pick up at college I suppose. Heh...

I couldn't have done any of this without the help of my family, who I will miss so much and will be thinking about everyday. And believe me, you guys will be getting frequent updates :)

I think I have everything I need. And this blog will be my diary for the entirety of the trip, so check in regularly! It's pretty scary going into an area with only knowledge obtained by months of research and very little personal accounts. I've gotten so many mixed reviews of my decision but I walk away confidently with the fact that it was MY decision and no one else had influence on it.

I went to the gym today to tell them I wouldn't be coming in for a while and that I needed to freeze my account for a bit. The young woman that helped me asked me why? And I said, "Oh, I'm studying abroad in Cape Town." Most people don't know where Cape Town is or if they do, they respond with, "AFRICA?? WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU WANT TO GO THERE?" And my response is always a shoulder shrug and a vocalization of, "Why not?" The puzzling look I usually receive ends the conversation pretty abruptly. But at the gym the woman was like, "I am so jealous of you, I just got back from Semester at Sea and I stayed in Cape Town for a bit-- you will have the time of your life." With the comfort of a positive response, I took the opportunity to ask her any departing advice...

"When you go to Johannesburg, hold on to your stuff- stealing is HUGE. Other than that, make friends with a lot of guys and you'll be fine! It's not what most people think, it's what America should be."

With this, I cannot judge her allegation of America being worse than South Africa--- beautiful on both ends, but I'll judge that ideal later, at least.. by next week.

That is all for now. Next post will be when I'm in Cape Town.

*Mel