We got lunch on campus after that, and campus food is even cheaper! I got this delicious avo sandwich (they abbreviate everything, so that means avocado), which was pretty much an entire avocado on a wheat & oat grinder roll, with tomato & lettuce, only costing R9 (about $1). So I will never starve! Our classroom that we are assigned to at UCT wasn't the most up-to-date with technology, and was actually quite small for 14 students, so we may just hold class in our house (and possibly have our Nursing Ethics class on the beach!). Next, we visited the US Consulate General office, to be warned about safety issues & whatnot in South Africa. Everything we were told was again repetitive, so I think at this point we all have a good idea of what to do & what not to do.

Thursday morning came really fast. I went for my first South African run in Rondebosch Commons!! Mom, don't worry - I ran with a group of people in broad daylight. The Commons is a fairly large field with Table Mountain in the background, and right next to the main road and some stores (and our house). It's not secluded at all & many people were running around. Still, the rule is always stick with a buddy, or group of people. We ran 2 loops, which is said to be 2 miles a loop but definitely didn't seem that long, so we're guessing it's about 1.5 miles for one loop around. We motivated each other to do lunges and abs after - I'm really excited that there's a group of girls that will run with me! There's also a ton of walking (40 minute walk to campus) so hopefully I won't ever feel trapped inside. Breakfast for the most part consists of yogurt & granola, plus instant coffee and a multivitamin (I told you I'd give all the details). There's also lots of fresh fruit in the house, which is amazing tasting (apples, clementines, and bananas that taste super fresh and don't have pesticides on them). Ok so we went to UCT (University of Cape Town) today to check out the campus. I was absolutely in love with the campus beauty. There is an upper, middle, & lower campus, all with Table Mountain in the background. The buildings look like castles, and the trees consist of palm trees, exotic flowers, and colorful evergreen-like trees. We listened to a welcome and safety lecture - reviewing everything we have been told by several different people - not to have cell phones showing, don't wear a purse (but a book bag is fine), etc. We got photos taken for UCT student ID cards (apparently if you don't have your ID on you & they ask you for proof of student enrollment when you're walking around on campus it's considered trespassing, and you could be put into jail for a night or so). I don't know how true that is but just in case I'll ALWAYS carry that ID!

Also, both places drive on the left side of the road (and therefore walk on the left side when you are passing someone, left elevators, etc). Also in our house there is no dryer, so that means everything must be put on a clothes line, which becomes difficult with 14 girls. We do have a system, however; everyone is assigned a laundry day - mine is Saturday - and we are taking turns buying items for the community fund (ie. things we all share, like paper toweling, & dish detergent). Our house has a maid (which I was shocked by), but she is referred to as a "Domestic Worker", which is apparently a flattering position in South Africa, highly respected by the majority. Her name is Margaret and she makes sure the house is clean & orderly (even throwing out some of our things if we don't put them away!). So I am getting off track but there is literally so much to tell everyone at home (and in Australia - Jordan). So for the rest of Wednesday we ate lunch at a place called Adesso's. It was Mediterranean style food, and absolutely delicious and healthy, plus only R20 for the whole meal (about $2.50). So yes, I am loving the food situation here. We took a tour around the area a bit more - stepping into grocery stores (Checkers, Pick & Pay, Woolworths), and the Internet cafe ( a must!!!). Later we walked back to our house (about a 20 minute walk) and ordered pizza from Mr. Butler delivery. The night concluded with a house meeting and falling into bed absolutely exhausted.

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Wednesday am - our first morning in Cape Town! We left the house by 10 am, to begin our scenic tour of the city & life in this new world. Dr. Guma, also known as "Tops," led us to Signal Point, to get a view of Table Mountain. Just a heads up - I took a million pictures of this one mountain, but it is so amazing (really), and I'm afraid the pictures don't capture half of that beauty, but it's an attempt. At this point we saw a group of African men conducting a spiritual ceremony on the mountain side, singing, and cooking some type of food that smelled like meat. It was like what you see on TV or in a movie..our first reminder that we were actually in South Africa. After this we went into the city of Cape Town for our introduction to Long Street, Strand Road, and Main Road. Ben made us pair up and go find out how to ask for a minibus at a certain location. Carrie-Ellen and I were first to volunteer. We walked up this flight of stairs and it was like stepping into a new world. We clearly stood up, being the only white individuals, and everyone was staring at us. Still, we both tried to ignore that , and kept walking a short way until we came to the minibus stations. Minibuses are the main method of transportation in the city. They cost about R7 (or less than $1). By the way the conversion rate is 1 rand equals 7.9% of the US dollar. So the buses are lined up in separate lines according to destination. We were told to find the bus to Mobray and ask the owner how much for a 1 way ticket to Rondebosch (where we live). He told us R7.50 and the other students in our group R6. Everything is very subjective and changes according to whatever the owner wants. There aren't set prices, except at the grocery stores, and you can barter for the price you would like. So after this experience, the group rejoined to see more of the city, and stop for a quick dessert or drink at this place called Charlie's. After visiting Jordan in Australia, I have seen many similarities, as far as food, electronics, roads, and housing situations. Just a few things: the coffee is espresso for the most part, with instant coffee if you are lucky.

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The flight wasn't that bad, but just long of course..we took Northwest airlines to Amsterdam (where everything was so expensive since the US dollar isn't worth much there), and then to KLM (a Dutch airlines) into Cape Town, South Africa. Nobody's luggage got lost, thank god, and we all arrived safely (thanks grandma for your prayers). I exchanged sixty US dollars into South African Rand, which gave me 423 rand (R423). Here the US dollar is worth A LOT! That part is good news. Reverend Vernon Rose, Ben Brown, and Dr. Guma were waiting patiently for us and took us to our house via two vans (there was a good amount of luggage between all of us). When we arrived at our house I was amazed - the house is so incredible! There are a million rooms (just about), a wide open kitchen with white cabinets and plenty of windows, a pool house and a pool (I'm really excited!!!), lounge rooms, and wood floors all downstairs. My room is almost all windows (so lots of sunlight which I love!) , but is also on the second floor and has curtains so don't worry mom. I have a huge closet, literally humongous, with PLENTY of space for the contents of my two suitcases and future South African purchases. So we got our keys (4 skeleton keys), had a brief house meeting, and then tried to fall asleep by 2am, even though we all wanted to get organized and rearrange things in our rooms.

Settling In..

So here I am, as weird as it is to say, in Cape Town, South Africa. Each day has been filled with eye-opening scenery of mountains & beaches, luxurious & inexpensive restaurants, and sadly - a view into real poverty, seeing so many people live with the bare minimum or nothing at all. Since there is still no internet at our house (which now seems like a luxury), writing blogs has been limited to time at the internet cafe downtown or at Lisa-Marie's house (our professor). There are so many things to explain, and sorry if I'm a bit repetitive, but here goes:

I'll start in detail from day 1: there are 14 nursing students including myself on this trip. Carrie-Ellen, Nayomi, Katie, Olivia, Carolyn B., Carolyn M., Carolyn Z., Jess, Kristin, Kari, Briana, Ashley, & me! Our instructor is Lisa-Marie (for the 1st half of the semester), and our RA (resident assistant) is Ben Brown. Reverend Vernon Rose and Dr. Guma are from Cape Town, and have been showing us around, providing transportation thus far. We arrived pretty late at the airport in South Africa..by the time we got to our house on Loch Road it was almost 1am South African time (7 pm in the States).

Here in Cape Town!

So I finally arrived in Cape Town, South Africa with 14 other co-nursing students!! Everyone is doing well & safe. So far, I am absolutely amazed, each day. Yesterday we went to Table Mountain and toured Rondebosch. Pictures don't give the area justice! The fruit and food in general is really inexpensive, and good, fresh food. I have my own room, with lots of windows and the biggest closet I have ever seen. It's pretty cold at night and early morning, so I take full advantage of this wall heater we have. No internet in the house yet, but Ben (our resident assistant) is working on it. We walked all around the city, and got to view "real life" South Africa. We clearly stand out - there are like 2 other whites in the entire city. Today Carrie-Ellen, myself, and a few other girls went running in Rondebosch commons. It was so amazing, with the mountain and city in the background early in the morning. I'll post pictures as soon as I can..but the internet situation over here is completely different than in the states. Jordan, Mom, Dad, Brett, Bryan, & everyone at home - I hope you are doing well !! I could go on & on but I'm at an internet cafe and have 2 minutes left. I have my phone, but don't have the setup to call out just yet..I'll let everyone know when things are settled.. Ok, until the next post -farewell from South Africa!!