We're HERE!

I can't believe that we're finally here. This has been in the works for so long that it just doesn't seem like it's really happening.

Getting here took forever: 2 hour flight to New York, 7 hour layover, 7 hours to Dakau, and 8 to Johannesburg, and 2 1/2 to Cape Town. Exhausting. However, we were all pretty excited when we saw Rev. Run (from Run DMC and Run's House) on our flight to New York. :) Luckily we all made it here without losing any luggage or anyone missing any planes, and Kate got here safely from Vietnam. Aaron and our Interstudy team (Anjeth, Seiphemo, Ouma and Dianne) picked us up from the airport and got us to our houses.

The houses are amazing- they completely exceeded my expectations. I have to honestly say that I think I got lucky in this house, it's just gorgeous...
Our kitchen:
Our living room (my roomie Sarah on the left):

It was dark when we got to the houses, so we didn't get to go exploring until today. I walked outside of our garden, looked to the left, and there was Table Mountain right outside of our door.



This place really is amazing. Today Anjeth and Dianne took us for a tour of University of Cape Town (UTC). The campus is beautiful: set to the backdrop of Table Mountain, it's full of hills, flowers, and great architecture. It was so fun to see South African students, although it's their week off to study for finals so campus wasn't real busy. The area surrounding campus was really fun to walk around- Cape Town is full of different smells, people, sounds... the city just kind of takes you over.

This afternoon we went to V & A Waterfront, where we got to drive down to the coast. Cape Town is HUGE- I had no idea it was this big! I feel a little ignorant; the city is so metropolitan and developed, it completely shattered my previous ideas and perceptions of it. I almost don't feel like I'm in Africa, just because of how different it really is from what I thought it would be. Interstudy treated us to a great meal at Primi Wharf right near the water, and we all got to know each other a little better. A few people in our group had another celeb sighting today- Lisa and Bianca from America's Next Top Model. Nate and Cole are pretty excited, because they got invited to their 21st birthday parties. Cape Town is pretty happening place.

Today was exciting, beautiful, and so much fun- but I'm more excited for the days to come. I think it's interesting that we're seeing the "touristy" Cape Town first, because I think we're all going to be shocked when we enter the townships and see what's behind the curtain. Right now this feels like a vacation, and I'm really interested to see the things that so many people don't bother to take the time to do.

This was taken on the UCT Campus. The building in front is just a building of classes (beautiful!) and behind it is Table Mountain.