September 21

Wow so much to write about so little time! (internet is soo expensive)

For the passed week i lived with a family in Kenzington, South Africa. (about 5 mins from Cape town) The fmaily consisted of the mother, Berryl, the father, Gary, and the daughter, Ashleigh (not very african names, i know :) ) This was a GREAT experience. I got to knw these people so well over only 5 days. They welcomed me into their home with open arms and were so supportive of me. It felt really good to be with a family that somewhat felt like my own for a while, it was comforting. Ashleigh is my age is and she is awesome. I hung out with her and her friends a lot over the week and that was so cool to be able to experience their culture first hand. We are experiencing culter with TTS, but its hard to feel fully im,mersed in the cultre when traveling with a group of 18 americans thta are OBVIOUSLY tourists. People treat you differently which is expected, but it was nice to be able to just experience everything as a local would. WE went ice  skating and watched movies, and just talked. Talking is something that is so beneficial. People here are so open with talkinmg about their personal experiences and its so cool to hear about it. At times, its had to be;lieve the US and Africa are even in the same WORLD they're so different. After my homestay, a safar itruck (that we will be living in for the next 3 months) picked us up, and off to Hermanus South AFrica we went! The 3 hour bus ride went by so fast and we're now staying at a hostel. Its our 3rd day here and we plan to leave tomorrow and stay at a campsite about 5 hours outside of Hermanus. Today, we went Sea Kayacking (sp?) \and got to kayack alongside WHALES! it was beautiful...until i got SOOO sea sick. The waves were intense. Once i got back to shore i couldn't help but throw up everywhre as the guide practically held my hairback...and said, as all southafricans dp, it seems..."oh, shaaaammee!!" I've learned a lot of Afrikaans and continue to learn Shona, the language of our driver and cook. Our drivers name is Ngwena and cooks name is Mnvu. I continue to establish priceless relationships with the girls on the trip and am so excited to continue on! School is hard but so interesting considering we learn about africa in mos classes! I miss everyone and can't wait to see people! It'll be so weird coming home fom 100 degreee weather in Mozambique (sp?) To Snowy, Denver Colorado! BUT i discovered th 15th is a wednesday so i can go to pasta night!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY! i've missed pasta sooo much. LOVE AND MISS EVERYONE