There’s a First Time for Everything [The Garden Route Edition]
Renting a car. Red Mercedes from Klauss of German Auto Cars circa the love child era and crank windows. Pros: automatic, perfect size for four USC gals(Melissa, Sarah, Haley, and myself). Cons: doesn’t do hills well. Our raging craisin is still kicking it though and with an eclectic collection of cds(i.e. Cuban, scratched mix that plays 4 songs, and Goldfish) and a recently purchased ipod adapter, it’s a party.
Staying at a hostel. Backpackers in Mussel Bay is where it’s at. Made friends with a 35-year old German entrepreneur on vacay, two British chicks more into tequila than sobriety, a drop out of Colorado Boulder now working for a safari company, Carl F. & Lindsey of CIEE, and Wesley, the ever gracious owner and stereotypical beach bruh.
Bungy Jumping. Hands down best thing I probably won’t ever do again. Funny thing is Mel, Sarah, and Haley didn’t even think they’d do it at all until fate (or me convincing Sarah to just go check out the bridge) led us to Face Adrenaline. My feeling abut the whole affair was go big or go home and Bloukrans Bridge is the world's highest bungy so I think I succeeded. Granted, I didn’t purchase the video of my jump because the terrified look on my face, the audible repetition of the phrase “I don’t want to, I don’t want to” until my toes were on the very edge, and the distasteful pump-up music playing in the background do not need to be re-lived. I doubt I will soon forget the crazy after-shock or high-on-life feeling anyways.
Surfing in Jeffrey’s Bay. Every surfer’s dream is getting to ride the waves in this mecca and it was AMAZING. I looked utterly hopeless for the most part but that’s beside the point. A group of twenty of us took lessons from Andrew, a gnarly South African so chilled he put Cali beach boys to shame, and we had the time of our lives.
Galloping on the beach. With no liability waiver signed and a helmet optional policy, horseback riding across an epic stretch of sand dunes resembling what I would liken to the Sahara desert, I definitely saw my life flash before my eyes. Per our B&B hostess’ recommendation, the girls and I trekked a little off the main road to this clutch experience. I felt like a beach cowgirl on my white horse, appropriately named Tinkerbell, while we galloped and trotted for two hours with the wind whipping in our hair and waves crashing right next to us. Now, before I sound too much like a romance novel, keep in mind this was Melissa’s first time even on a horse, talk about fabulous firsts! I’m not even exaggerating about how incredible it was, case in point, a newlywed couple on their honeymoon were doing it for a second time they loved it so much.
Seeing a Billabong store on every block. They’re J-Bay’s Starbucks apparently.
Exploring the Garden of Eden. A casual stop in a place I’ve read about since I learned right from wrong. It felt sinful to leave this gorgeous nature reserve.
Eating an Oyster. Okay, not my first time. Haley, the southern belle, had never had one but her experience is now on video. It was also her first time getting a South African waiter’s number. Thank you Knysna and Dornell, Darnell, whatever.
Riding an ostrich. Or attempting to. The second fastest animal behind the cheetah can hardly be tamed by jockeys. It’s hilarious to even hop on one. Interestingly though, a 200lb man can stand on an ostrich egg without breaking it. After going to the farm, the other ladies also feasted on the bird, apparently it’s a very lean and delicious meat, but definitely not my style. The town of Outdshoorn where most the ostrich farms are located definitely is though. It’s an idyllic area set in the mountains about an hour off the N2. With cotton-ball clouds dotting the clear blue sky and stretches of greenery interspersed with sparkling lakes, I can’t imagine a more beautiful drive. Soundtrack of the drive was equally pleasing(think "Life is a Highway").
Other Garden Route highlights: Tea time in Swellendam, watching a family of baboons frolic on the side of the road, Delfino’s on the beach, Nina’s in J-Bay, getting a ticket for crossing the yellow island and passing the white bakkay(which a college student can avoid fines for by writing to the police about insufficient funds due to studies), Dennis’ Irish Pub in Knysna- famous only for it being open on Tuesdays and its Leperchun and Salty Kiss shots, Happy, a barista who lives up to his name, in Plettenberg Bay, and the most picturesque sunset on our drive {home}Once one adventure ends, another begins...
My first week at University of Cape Town by the NUMB3R5.
SIX things I’ve learned about UCT:
-Dressing in work out clothes for class is unacceptable.
-There are more blondes in Cape Town than in California.
-They use condoms to clean scratched DVDs.
-In order to make it to class in time, allow 20 minutes to climb the mountain.
-Vula is South African Blackboard.
-The Jammie steps are where one eats lunch, catches up with friends, and kills time during the meridian not where one actually catches the Jammie.FIVE things I’ve learned about the U.S. :
I’m loosely using the term "learned" in the context that through my lectures, tutorials and talks with South Africans these are commonly held beliefs here.
-We’re a model of modernity and democracy that S.A. is working towards.
-Our president is colored not black.
-We are all from the Upper East Side but if we're not, we still live out the plot of "Gossip Girl".
-Our government was most likely involved in 9/11, this isn’t a conspiracy theory, it’s a widely accepted and written about thing.
-We use Ritalin to brainwash children.
FOUR ways to spot an American:
-Jean shorts.
-Backpack, usually North Face.
-Rainbows.
-Unsure OR overeager expression.
THREE classes I’m taking:
-Advanced South African Politics.
-Poverty, Development, and Globalization. Mind you, it’s an 8am.
-Genocide: African Experiences. TWO clubs I’ve joined:
-Habitat for Humanity.
-Art of Living Hartha Yoga Society.
ONE Excuse for everything
When in Africa!
And just for kicks.
Things I’m KEEN on:
No shoes, no problem. Being barefoot is in. They’re not necessary so why wear them? Makes me wonder about the concept of Toms…
Savannah Dry. Why cider isn’t popular in the United States dumbfounds me. Why it’s almost unacceptable for girls to drink beer in Cape Town does too.
Old Biscuit Mill. A farmer’s market every Saturday from 9-2 that may be heaven on earth. Food to kill for and an atmosphere to write home about(or blog about, either works). I recommend the Sangria, sampling the pesto, a nutella crepe, and whatever else you fancy because it’s all delicious.
Yo Yoga. A place to do Bikram. Done and done.
Lion’s Head Hike. A 45-minute jaunt to an insane 360 view of the city.
Beluga. Half price sushi and cocktails on Sunday, enough said.
Litchi.
Cecil Rhodes Memorial. Super close to campus with a high chance of seeing wild zebra.
M’zzoli’s. THE place to be on Sunday. Our Highstead house went and had a blast. It’s essentially a meat lover’s paradise but the environment is what I enjoyed. In a township a 20-minute ride away, it’s definitely a tourist attraction but more importantly an experience.
Cape Times. The most reliable paper for current events and conveniently located at Cocoa WaWa.
Things I’m FROTHING to do:
1. Start volunteering
2. Hike Devil’s Peak
3. Memorize my South African number
4. Take more pictures
5. Finish the last fifty pages of A Long Walk to Freedom
It will officially be one month this Friday, kind of crazy!
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