SA is UH-mazing!

Wow- Where do I even start?!?!? Honestly- Prepare yourself- this is going to be a looooooooooooooooooooong blog.

South Africa is arguably the most gorgeous country in the world. I am in love with Cape Town- and all who inhabit it. :] Let’s start with the waterfront- which is stunning! We are literally steps away from huge shopping areas, gorgeous malls, restaurants, and buildings! We got here on the 3^rd, and I have never seen the line to get out so packed! I had the first day free, so I decided to hike Table Mountain with a group of friends. Woo- Let me tell you… if you want to know how out of shape you are- try hiking…well climbing that mountain! All in all it was a lot of fun- and rewarding when we got to the top. Not to mention the views overlooked all of Cape Town, the port (or Jetty), and a few other towns. Then the rest of the day, Susan and I explored all around Cape Town, and then we watched a concert in the local square. Oh! For any of you who know what zorbing is (Google it!) They had the zorbing balls- but on water!!! :] There were a bunch of little kids in there- and I didn’t think adults could go in them, I wanted to do them so bad- everyone looked like hamsters! We also went to a craft market, and shopped around where I got some really neat authentic things. Unfortunately they were only there for the weekend and I missed them :[   I then took off by myself (I know, I know- save the nagging for later) and went to the grocery store, and then had dinner on the ship with 2 lovely gentlemen who most likely think I am incredibly insane, and completely bonkers. But it’s whatev.  (PS- the grape juice was AWFUL that night). Sad story.      Soooooooooooo, for any of you who were actually in suspense- here’s what my “secret activities” were:

2^nd day in Cape Town- I boarded the Bungee Bus (with 30 other SASers) and we headed 7 ½ hours towards Bloukran’s Bridge. Go ahead and look it up. Yes that is right. I jumped off the world’s highest bungee! It was awesome! I have a video, and many photos of my jump- It was the most freeing experience ever. And it wasn’t scary in the least bit. They had a little DJ stand underneath the bridge, so we were all dancing before we jumped- it was great, and I went with a fun group of people. I know this sounds horrible- but I know why people jump off of bridges to commit suicide- It is such an amazing feeling (the only difference is- I have a rope attached to my ankles…and suicidal people die). Up until the point where they hit the ground- MAN, what an experience. It is completely quiet- and peaceful.  Anywho- after we all jumped, we went to the Cliff Bar (no- not the snack), which actually has an open deck and view of the bridge so that you can see people jump. They also have a live cam inside, so you can see the person jumping on the TV set inside. Anyways……………. We got treated to what I thought was amazing pizza, and then had a cool little dance party. Then we headed to our log cabin’s (which were gorgeous), and hit the hay. We then woke up early the next morning and drove 5 hours back towards Cape Town- where I did my next outrageous stunt. I went shark cage-diving with Great Whites! This also, was a fun experience. Our boat we went out on was the Barracuda- and I pretty much fell in love with our videographer. I was the 3^rd group to go in the cage to dive, and by this time- the shark was ticked that he had not gotten the bait yet. (We were NOT the bait). He ended up thrashing into our cage- and legit stuck his face inches away from mine. It was sweet!  After warming up, and a brief lunch- we hopped back on our bus to head back to Cape Town.

Okay- so I’d like to take this brief time to state that I think I have a problem. As amazing as Bungee jumping and shark diving were- I had little to no adrenalin rush… what the heck is up with that?

I decided that if I tried bungee jumping backwards- with a great white, maybe that would get my adrenalin flowing? Hahaha.

I cannot wait to show you guys the photos!

Yesterday- I decided to stay grounded a bit and I did Habitat for Humanity in a township. I can honestly say it was one of the most rewarding experiences. On average 1.5 million people live in townships- in shanties (which literally look like cardboard boxes). It’s really sad- and the people are so incredibly sweet and friendly. We had so much fun working on the house! I have plenty of pictures from this too! There were lots and lots of singing, dancing, as well as brick lines, and dugga mixing. We took some time to play with the kids- who were no joke, the most beautiful people in the world. And they had the coolest toys! (I know that sounds weird)- Their toys were so simple, yet none of us could play with them, because we couldn’t figure them out. There was this top, and you wrapped a string around it, and spun it a certain way, flung it, and it’d spin on the ground- but then you had to use your middle finger and index finger in order to allow it up onto your hand- and keep it spinning! It was so much fun. We also went on a tour of the township- and fields and fields of kids just ran up to us, and started holding our hands, and climbing us. I must have carried 5 kids at once at one point. And they LOVED playing with our cameras. We got a lot done on the house- and the couple we were building it for are deaf- but the most genuine people you will ever meet. And they made us this delicious bread/muffin and apricot jam for snacks. And they even gave us a Tea Time! It was such a great day, and I had a lot of fun with it. It got really emotional when we left. I handed out toys to a bunch of kids, and one of the only guys in our group (A big, robust guy) started to loose control- and just wept. Basically I held a grown man in my arms while he bawled his eyes out- but that shows just how powerful and moving this day was to everyone. We gave a family a home, one that is safe, and functions. So on to today- man, seriously. I love this place. And I honestly plan on coming back, and at least spending a summer here. It’s seriously THAT amazing. Not to mention the World Cup is going to be here in 2010!!! :] (Thank you Laura for my new found love of soccer- football).

Okay, I will digress… Africa has 11 “official” languages- any many people can speak mostly all of them. Pretty much everyone here knows English. And their accent is my favorite IN THE WORLD! It is a combination of a British accent, AND an Australian accent (my two favorite accents :]  !!!) The also have Xhosa as a language- which is a predominantly clicking language- it’s awesome, and I definitely want to learn it! They also have awesome phrases like “Howsit?” and “Believe me you”- I love it!

Okay- so today. I was supposed to go to Robben Island (think Nelson Mandela). Unfortunately- they gauge their ferry weather off of Table Mountain- and they closed down ferries to the island for the day. But I at least have pictures of Robben Island. So I ended up running into a few girls who were going to go on a Cape Coast private tour- so I tagged along. It was amazing! We stopped on our way, and saw penguins! Then we drove through a nature reserve where we saw antelopes, ostriches, and many other animals (it was like a mini safari). Also- while driving we were in a heavily populated baboon area. MAN are they hilarious! And smart. Our tour guide Jerry- who was awesome- told us to lock the doors, and not open the windows. The baboons literally tried to open the doors of the van- it was so funny! We drove to the Cape of Good Hope (which is the Southern most tip of Africa)- and we also learned that contrary to popular belief, it is NOT where the Atlantic and Indian Ocean meet.

We also drove on Victoria Road (which is roughly 20mins from Cape Town)- Where houses typically cost 12 million or so. They were gorgeous! The road is named after Queen Victoria and is on the West- where the sun sets. They also have vernaculars to get up to their houses, because the hills are so steep, cars could not  make it up! We had a couple from Montréal, Canada on the tour with us, and 2 couples from Spain- they were all very pleasant- and so impressed with Semester at Sea, and its program. (As is everyone in Cape Town). So we got back and Becca, Kate, and I decided to head out to Mama Africa (supposedly a really good authentic restaurant). We called in advanced for reservations- and we got lucky- usually they are booked months in advanced! Okay…

Everyone prepare yourselves, because they next paragraph is a whole new Sam.

We got a platter- which had kabobs on it… I had 1/3 of each Kabob (there were 3 of us). Now… what was on these kabobs were DELICIOUS! But… this is so far from anything I would ever do. Ahem… drum roll please….

I ate:

Crocodile (Chewy- and a tad fatty- but really good!); Springbok (a deer-like animal); Ostrich (yes- I said ostrich); Kadoo (which is an antelope); and then a sausage type thing that was a mixture of Springbok and Kadoo.

I ate these all, and flippin’ LOVED THEM! They were so delicious. Our waiter- Dovi (even though we had like 7368 waiters), who I fell in love with- started sending shots to our table- and I told them all I didn’t drink. But I decided to try the shot. It was amazing! It had creamy amaretto on the top, and mint liquor on the bottom. It was so good. Then for some reason the topic of sex came up, and a manager overheard us, and sent over 3 blowjob shots- which looked gross, but were also very delicious. And I also had a lovely glass of white wine.

So let’s review:

I am NOT an adventurous eater, and I NEVER drink.

But tonight I did! I didn’t drink any more than that- and I wasn’t even buzzed- which makes me happy- but also scared that I have a high tolerance for alcohol and don’t even drink it.  They had live music at Mama Africa- which is the best music in the world ( I have CD’s- no worries), and we started dancing like crazy people! Then some fellow SAS kids that we know and love came, and we all hung out for an hour or so. Our waiters then invited us to hang out with them across the street. Dovi’s dad owns a restaurant/ live music place. But we decided to head back towards the shop to get some rest. I’m glad I went out, and could be with people who can control their alcohol intake.  

Oh yes! The Jolly Roger! There is a ship- a small one- that legit looks like a pirate ship, and you can go on and dress up! It is very exciting! :]

I love South Africa- and all it has to offer me! (Except AIDS… that was a mean joke…but so very true).

I’m sure there is 386593 things I am forgetting to tell everyone. But honestly. I think everyone needs to come to South Africa. I wish we had more time here, because there is just so much to do. And everyone has been super nice to all of us. (Even though I still think the Ghanaians are friendlier).

I am having so much fun in this country- and I never want to leave. Seriously. Ahhhh it is so amazing, and I will miss it so much! But at the same time, I am highly anticipating Mauritius- which is like a vacation within this vacation.

End results:

I don’t think I have had a better time in my life- this is definitely up there.

This is our last port in the continent of Africa :[ which saddens me. I cannot wait to come back here.

But seriously- vacations… Cape Town- everything is breathtaking here, and it is GUARANTEED you will have an amazing time.  The entire culture is spectacular here, and one of my favorites.

OH! Today- I also had my favorite lunch on the ship. Sweet and Sour pork and steamed white rice! (Joe where are you now?!?!?!).

Okay- I think I will wrap this up- but I am positive I will add more to it later.

<3 Love you all bunches.