Well folks, I made it to London. I couldn’t have asked for a better last week in Cape Town, I was able to do all of my favorite things, multiple times!

Tuesday, Caroline and I went to dinner with a girl from George Washington and turns out she is from Fort Worth! ..crazy...We ate at Panama Jack’s, which is a seafood restaurant tucked inside the Cape Town harbor.  That morning I wandered out to Kalk Bay and popped in and out of the shops, had lunch at Olympia Cafe then went to Muizenberg one last time! 

Wednesday, I went to yogs and then the girls in my home group met for coffee at Cafeen . That evening we had a Bible watching marathon and everyone brought yummy treats to celebrate my time with them. My home group was such a blessing while being in Cape Town and I am so thankful for each and everyone of them. 

Thursday morning I went with Roland to pick up the new IES summer students from the airport.  I hung out with them all morning/introduced them to Starlings! Lynette picked me up at 1:45 and we went to MGV together for the last time. That evening I yogd and then hit the hay quite early.

Friday was awesome! I woke up, packed a little, decided I wanted a massage. Went to Newlands and ate at Melissa’s.  Had a massage by Mira at Sanctuary. Went to my last yoga class, taught by Allison. That evening, Rodney picked Caroline and I up and we headed for HOUT BAY where we ate and shopped.  We took the scenic route home by Camps Bay and Clifton to blow kisses to the ocean.  We stopped at Bungalow and had a cocktail. From there we did a drive by at BomBay Bicycle Club which was too crowded so we ended up settling for Jade in Greenpoint.  Our night ended at Club 31, where we were extremely impressed with the bathroom, but not the music! We slumbered at Caroline’s and arose to take on Saturday bright and early! 

We started the day off at the Steenberg Spa with facials and manicures then went to indulge at Old Biscuit once more.  Caroline watched Silver Lining’s Playbook while I packed and prepared to leave Dun Vegs forever.  

Yesterday, I was over the fact that IES was over and all my friends had left.  I realize that all good things come to an end and what we had was GREAT! The part that made me so nauseous was that I have no idea when I will get to go back.  If I could in four weeks, I probably would!  Caroline dropped me off at the airport and I was fine until I walked through security.  Realizing it was really over and really time to move on was sickening.  I am sooo soooo soooo beyond thankful though that I was able to spend 5 months of my life there.... Until next time CPT. 

The flight to London was quite long.  11 hours seemed to creep by. I made it with no problems and am currently sitting in the air port waiting for all of the TCU people to arrive! I’m getting more excited by the minute and am ready to start fresh with a new city! 

Follow me on twitter! I will be tweeting for my class with my new iPad mini!!! @annaliv21

xoxo

Hanging with Praise at Bungalow 

Club 31

What a view 

Going to miss this..

Annual Saturday Affair 

Great words to live by

Sheesh...As I sit here typing I am completely overwhelmed. The past 10 days have been a whirlwind. It is truly hard for me to believe that, today marks ten days shy of five months of living here, 142 days. It seems like just yesterday, I was blubbering through security at DFW wandering what in the HELL I had gotten myself into.  Little did I know that it was going to be the absolute best experience of my life.  No question, my world has been rocked. 

I’ve traveled outside of the US before, but after this adventure, I have learned that there is an extreme difference in “traveling” and “living” somewhere. I haven’t just “been” to Cape Town, I have done life here every day and I am so thankful to have had this opportunity.  I remember as a freshman Courtney and Alessandra saying that if given the chance to study abroad, DO IT! and that will be the exact same advice I give to any one who asks!

Usually I’m not a super emotional person, but this week I have been a basket case.  Finals ended last Thursday and on Friday six of us went on a crazy adventure to the Cederberg Mountains.  We “lodged” instead of camped and had a fabulous time embracing our inner frontiersmen. The first night we stayed in a quaint little cottage and made dinner over our wood stove.  We entertained ourselves with a deck of cards and other word games.  Before the sun set, Fenney, Jenna and I all took driving lessons from TJ who guided us around the orange grove as he taught us the basics of driving a standard.  As if that wasn’t already entertaining enough, Haley amused herself by hanging out of the window picking oranges as we drove past! Day 2, we bought groceries is Portersville and stopped for lunch in Citrusdal. Then we got the wild hair to chase down some wine! We off roaded a good 10 miles to end up at a small empty house, “museum” of a wine tasting room! It was laughable as we were greeted by sheep and a friendly old man who “had no palate for wine!” In route to our lodge for the night we were forced to turn back because the “Elephant River” had exceeded its banks and made the road impassable.  We made it to our luxurious lodge by nightfall and made dinner (beer/orange chicken and roasted veg with plenty of butter) and feasted on milk tart and Chardonnay for dessert! The next day, we grabbed lunch at the cutest little antique shop and hit the road back to CPT. 

Adventuring down dirt roads in the rain...favorite past time

Beaveralc/Orange Grove - Night 1

Driving lessons 

Farmland 

The crew! Love these people! 

Beautiful reminder of God's promise! 

Graskraal - Night 2 

Monday night, we ditched the “frontiersmen” attitude and treated ourselves to a nice steak at a great restaurant.  Unfortunately, I somehow lost my phone in between leaving my room and running in the rain from the car to the restaurant.  I spent the rest of the night looking for it with no luck. 

Tuesday night, we had one more round of “fake” mexican food at El Burro! ... 

Wednesday, I went to small group and then to Alma to send off Alex, Tito, and Maya.  Wahhh. They left on a crazy journey to Jo Burg, Vic Falls, and Namibia. Alex is coming to London during my time there so we will have the chance to catch up and reunite! CAN’T WAIT FOR JULY 2nd!!!

Thursday, Caroline, Kasey and I went to Gypsy for dinner.  After, we stopped by Champs and then went to a German goodbraai! 

Friday marked the last official day and night of everyone in Cape Town.  Haley and I hiked Lion's Head for sunrise with some friends and yet again were blown away by the beauty of this city.  For lunch the roomies and I went to Starlings for one last roomie meal! The rest of the day I laid around our flat watching old episodes of One Tree Hill while they packed. To commemorate our time together, Feneey, TJ, Haley and I went to Cafe Ganesh in Obs  for dinner and then made the rounds at Arm Chair and Ponchos. We were mid bundling up in warm clothes to go reflect at the UCT dam when Schmach texted us about his big win at the Grand West Casino.  We ended the night full circle as everyone in IES reconvened at the infamous Pig and Swizzle.  ... I could not have asked for a better day/night with great people.  

<3

Clifton will always be my main man. 

We started from the bottom, now we're here. 

My happy place. 

OBM Saturday was hectic.  Stephi and Britty were aggressive, but most every one else was in a state of weirdness.  It was a surreal moment realizing that our precious time together had come to an end and I went diva status with the sunnys to hide the tears. After many “see yah soons”, Caroline and I escaped to Camps Bay for pedicures and lunch at Azure.  

Last group pic

Sunday, TJ and I went to Egoli to help put a roof on the community center. Egoli is where TJ did his research project and raised money for the solar light jars. With the extra money he bought the materials needed to replace the leaky roof.  We both underestimated the size of this “tiny” room and were a meter short on both the beams and the tin. The men made do with what they had though and worked like bees.  We arrived at 8:45 a.m. and left at 4:45 p.m. TJ and I neither were much help with the roof, but I learned so much from the men who were putting it on. I also made friends with all the little people running around. Dwayne, Joshy, Mark, Brenda, Cindy, Georgia, Caleb... They are all little rascals! During the beginning of the semester I was not a fan of Egoli.  It is hands down the worst poverty I’ve ever seen and it made me feel extremely uncomfortable.  Even yesterday when we rolled up I kept thinking please don’t touch me, please don’t touch me.... All of the precious youngsters had green snotty noses. Most were barefoot.  The dogs with goodness knows how many diseases were laying around everywhere. Usually when I’ve been to Egoli, it is with 20 + other Americans which really draw the crowds and everything is always chaos. Yesterday, it was just TJ and me and we got the pleasure of just observing how the people live.  We learned how everyone is related and who belongs to who. I broke down and let the girls play with my hair and the game changing point was when I noticed a comb out of the corner of my eye and before I knew it, she was running it through my hair.  Ha even TJ was like I can’t believe you allowed that! And my thoughts at that point were what the heck makes me too good to use their comb? ... NOTHING! They are all amazing people who are like me, made in the image of God. If I could have, I would have taken little Joshy home with me in a heartbeat.  He is the MOST precious! He rolled around on the ground all day and loved on the dog but I just couldn’t tell him no! He would run and just wrap his arms around my legs! The old community center had a about a 6 1/2 foot straight ceiling and was extremely uncomfortable to be in.  As the roof was torn away, so were the walls I had built in my heart.  Piece by piece the roof was reassembled and with that I had a whole new attitude about the people of Egoli.  Before I thought the men were lazy and were okay with the conditions in which they live.  However, I was proven extremely wrong yesterday. I witnessed 5 men who gave it everything they had and were fathers who loved their kiddos. Sure, there were still plenty of worthless drunks around and about the community, but the men we were working with had hearts of gold. With the construction of the new roof the ceiling was raised about 1 1/2 feet and peaked in the middle.  The minor change made the whole room feel different.  TJ and I were talking about it as we stood there in amazement and the only way I could describe the new feeling was “pleasant.” It was actually pleasant to be in that room. Whew, it was such a humbling experience and I really do hope I will have the chance to visit Egoli again. It sure puts into perspective my nice apartment, warm bed and hot shower.  

Santa's sleigh packed and ready

The roof before 

Before

Hard at work 

Afrikaans story time with Rocco 

... and this was me!  (Georgia, Caleb, and Cindy!) 

Sweet little Joshy! 

Egoli. 

New roof

New roof 

Thanks, Haley! They were a hit! 

All of our hand me downs from the semester. What a gross amount we accumulated and left behind.  The people could not have been happier! 

Last night the sermon at church was over the book of Esther. The main point was that in this book never mentions God’s name, yet it is clear that he orchestrated everything. In our daily lives we may struggle to see God’s presence in our mundane routines, however he is still there and is the one who provides true satisfaction. How encouraging. I am so thankful to have had a church family at Common Ground while living here.  

Today, I am the lone eagle here at WahWah. Tracy-Leigh is baffled at what I am still doing here! Ha, I told them everyone had gone so I had to come have coffee with the only friends I had left! I have a million things I “want” to do still, but I am very content with just laying low and soaking up the last few days here in this beloved city.  My mind really can’t even process that on Sunday I will be in London and not here.  I think it going to be a really rude awakening, but I am excited none the less!

Where did all the other Americans go?! 

Hope everyone has a fabulous week! 

xoxo

Bittersweet

What a fabulous week/weekend! This has been our “dead” week before finals are in full force.  Each day I have studied, but made sure I did it glamorously! Sunday and Tuesday I went to the beach.  Monday, I went to Wood Stock Exchange.  Wednesday, I went to a little coffee shop tucked away in a residential area.  Thursday, I stayed close to home and spent the afternoon with my WahWah friends.  Friday, I went on a cleaning spree and our bedroom is now spotless! 

It has been so great to just hang out and focus on school/get random things done! Friday afternoon, Haley and I went into Cape Town for lunch then took a cab to a spa in Hout Bay.  We were pampered for the afternoon and then I came back for a quick shower and change of clothes before I went with my friend Caroline and her Mom to the “Test Kitchen,” one of the best restaurants in Cape Town.  We dined like queens celebrating her 21st birthday, round 2! I can not say enough great things about dinner.  It was phenomenal and I am such a fan of the experience.  We had a wine pairing with all five courses and it is beyond me how they can perfectly match each dish with a delicious wine so perfectly.  It is definitely an art! After diner, we went back to Caroline’s and then went out to Long Street with all of my friends to ring in Tito’s birthday.  Couldn’t have asked for a better day.  

This morning we were up and at em’ bright and early.  We left for OBM around 9 a.m. While we were there we met a whole new crew of Americans who are here for a summer program.  It was fun to be able to be the tour guide and tell them all the must dos.  This afternoon we turned our heater on for the first time and cuddled up in our cozy clothes to study.  For dinner, we went to sushi to celebrate friendship.  Suz, is leaving us on Monday and we are trying to make the most of the time left.  

While at dinner we reminisced on our time here.  We discussed our flight over and our fears before we came, our first impressions of each other, how we have changed, what life is going to be like going home, our reunions in Miami/Costa Rico, Thanksgiving in Boston, Christmas in Texas, our animal personalities...and much, much more.  We laughed and we cried.

Today, I have thought a lot about my time here.  Meeting the girls today at OBM and having to list all of my favorite things and trying to imagine how they are ever going to fit everything into the 4 weeks they have left is just crazy.  I am so so so thankful that I have been able to LIVE in Cape Town.  It has been such an awesome experience.  Before I left I remember everyone telling me how much this experience would change me and how great it was going to be.  I never could wrap my mind around the idea of “change.” I thought I was at a pretty good place in life and was quite complacent. 

I now fully understand what everyone was talking about.  Since I’ve been here I have been filled with joy, often giddy, homesick, lonely but surrounded by tons of people, frustrated to the point of tears, scared to death, miserably full, humbled, loved, and in pure amazement of God’s creation. I am leaving having learned a new language, three musical instruments, tutored high schoolers each week, hiked three peaks, been to 2 other countries, all three major South African cities, swam in 2 oceans, been to the bottom most part of Africa, and with 40+ new friends. 

The people here with me will always hold a special place in my heart, because they are the ones who truly understand.  They too, have had this special experience and no matter where we are in ten years I feel confident we will be able to catch up, grab a flat white or a glass of wine and chat about our precious memories here. 

I can not say enough that Cape Town has been one of the best experiences of my life.  It has made me realize how blessed I am to have June, Ang and Lane and all my friends at home and TCU. I am so thankful for my professors and fellow Horned Frogs. As much as I can not wait to get back home, it makes me sick to think about actually leaving here.  Exactly two weeks from today I will say goodbye most everyone and in 21 days I will be boarding a red eye to London to begin the next chapter of life.  The amount of both excitement and sadness is ridiculous.    

So this is the infamous "Tiger Tiger" ... A club located in a shopping mall. 

Keep it classy Claremont. 

Boggie Down. 

Joburg VIPs

Love them all! 

The bunny and the cheetah

So much love. 

Haters gona hate. 

WHAHH! Where oh where to begin! 

Life has been moving and grooving! 

Since our days are starting to dwindle down, I have been trying to make the most of everything.  Constantly on the go, out and about.  We don’t have any major trips/actives left which is nice.  It is great to just chill and do life here. 

I finished my last day of class last Wednesday, May 15 and all I have left is a research paper that is due tomorrow and 2 finals next week! I can hardly believe it.  

I haven’t posted in a while so I’m just going to go through the pics chronologically!  

We hosted 23 students from Egoli, the informal settlement I’ve mentioned before, at UCT for a Shadow Day.  I took these four chicas around campus, through the library, on a lunch date, and to Afrikaans class! They were so funny.  The one sitting next to me wants to be a Marine.  She is very bright and has dreams way bigger than living in Egoli the rest of her life.  (High kick, double back flip!!!) 

The Shadow Day took place on Tuesday the 7.  The following Saturday, my ECO Justice class presented our research projects to the citizens of Maitland Garden Village and Egoli.  The presentations went very well.  The people of MGV were very appreciative and responsive about the two ideas I presented them. 1. Rainwater Harvesting and 2. DYI Solar Water Heaters! Both designs are extremely simple and easy to install.  In the near future I am going back to MGV to give a session on how to actually make a solar water heater! ... (ha, we are ALL going to learn something in the process!) After the chilled vibes at Garden Village, we boarded the van headed straight for madness...EGOLI! One of my friends here has been working on a project for the children there.  He raised over $4,000 and bought 200 solar jars (see picture below) and we distributed them to the kids that day.  Since the residents of Egoli are technically squatters, people who do not own the land, they are not on the electricity grid.  The people cook on wood stoves, use paraffin, light their homes with candles, and do their best to get by.  Without the proper lighting, you can imagine how hard it would be for children to study after the sun goes down. These solar jar provide the opportunity for the kids to have their own personal light source to use for their studies.

All Smiles :) + supportive roommates! 

Brighter Homes, Brighter Futures! 

That Sunday, Mother’s Day, there was a half marathon downtown.  TJ and Suz ran in it and I went along as their biggest fan! The route was beautiful and they said they saw everything main attraction Cape Town has to offer! I cheered them on with two race marshals on what is literally translated as “Doughnut Hill.” It was such a fun day.  I watched the sun rise over the city and then witnessed the beautiful sunset on the way home from church.  

Pre Race! 

The beautiful Bo-Kapp

Flower Market on Adderley Street 

ROCKSTARS! 

The IES Symposium was on this past Friday, the 17.  Eco Justice, the Health Class, and the class from UWC (University of Western Cape) all presented over what they had spent their semester researching.  It was awesome to see and hear how everyone was individually leaving their mark on the city and what their biggest take aways were.  

ECO JUSTICE FOR LIFE! 

That evening we had appetizers and sentimental moments at Lyle.  TJ, Lana and I said a few words and Olly put together a video of our time here.  It was a great start to the evening! For dinner, we went to a hotel buffet in the Water Front.  Lynette and Liz (our Eco Justice teachers) presented our class with paper plate awards.  

Future Family Friends

The whole crew 

Roommates

Main Partners in Crime

Awards! *Note Feeney's finger he sliced open while chopping onions which resulted in 3 stitches! 

Saturday, Caroline turned 21!!! Suz and I took her to Starlings for a pre-birthday lunch on Thursday and then met up with her after dinner Friday night.  We had a blast! 

Birthday Princess

Celebrating at Blake's 

Ringing in 21 at Chimy's Beach Club! 

Thoughts/Reflections:

Its crazy to think back to how foreign this place used to seem.  Saturday, after indulging at OBM (Old Biscuit Mill) we went to town to the Castle of Good Hope and the Slave Lodge Museum, on the way home I fell asleep in the mini bus.  When we got out we were laughing at how 4 months ago I was skeptical of even taking a mini bus, much less getting in and feeling comfortable enough to take a nap!!! It is getting so hard to focus on school and it is such a blessing that I only have to stay hooked for 7 more days.