Some Great Experiences in South Africa

• Was on a South Africa radio show in Kaylitcheya (sp?), a township in South Africa. It was so exciting to be on a radio show for the first time in my life! We were visiting a community radio station and a few of us were just asked a few questions about where we were from and we made small talk with the radio host. It was fun! I was teased about it afterwards but it was worth it!
• My friends and I visited Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, which people claim is where the two oceans meet at the tip of Africa. It was very windy but just the thought that I was at the very bottom of a continent was incredible. We also went to Simon's Town, where we saw the most adorable penguins! We stopped at a beach on the way back to Cape Town while the sun was setting and took jumping photos! I think that I've set a new record in terms of the number of gorgeous sunsets/sunrises that I've seen.
  
• We went kayaking as part of our retreat through beautiful mountains. It was incredibly breathtaking scenary - picture rays of sunshine dancing on a river and having mountains rise on both sides of you. While it was hard work rowing (now I realize how little muscle I actually have in my arms), it was nice to be able to get some endorphins flowing while also being immersed in the company of good friends and nature. It was nice to kayak with Laura (my Wellesley friend on this study abroad program) and to talk about Wellesley and our experience abroad, especially since we understood each other. After kayaking, I jumped on a trampoline for the first time in n years! I can't even remember the last time I was on a trampoline!! I did star jumps, tuck jumps and all other combinations of jumps that I could think of. I then cart-wheeled and did handstands (or tried to, in my case) on the grass with my friends. To finish off this beautiful day, I rode in the back of a tractor all the way back to our cabin with the wind blowing through my hair and with the sounds of my friends' shouts through the wind. The tractor went through apple orchids and fields right when the sun was setting. It was a perfect day and a perfect retreat experience at the end of this study abroad experience!

Reflecting back...

I was just thinking about the jumping photos that we took during sunset when we were driving back to Cape Town from Cape Point and had a thought. We look so carefree and happy in those photos and just makes me think of the energy of youth! It really made me think about how passionate and inspired the other young people traveling with me on this program are and how confident I am that they will succeed in whatever field or profession they choose to pursue. I am so glad to be part of this group of talented young individuals and to be challenged by their intellect and profound thoughts and yet to also form deep and hopefully everlasting friendships with them. These past four months have really been an amazing experience that I hope to cherish forever.

Anyway, will update more when I get back to Boston. Am flying tomorrow (yikes!) from Cape Town --> London --> Boston! I can't believe that this is all ending so soon. :(