Apple #2

I remember a presentation made to all of the international students during our orientation in which I learned of the three apples that metaphorically comprise one's study abroad experience in South Africa. As it was explained it to us, there are three different kinds of apples that one might come into contact with throughout the semester at UCT. Apple #1 is commonly experienced by the majority of study abroad students when they first arrive. In essence, this is the apple that represents the "honeymoon" stage in which all is new and exciting. With time, however, apple #1 begins to transform/evolve into apple #2. Study abroad students usually experience this apple after having spent a month or two in South Africa, at which point nothing is as amazing as it was when they first arrived. (Remember this apple, because it will pop up in a moment.) Finally, apple #3 is the most desirable apple in that it represents the period in which a study abroad student feels entirely integrated into South African life and culture. It should be every study abroad student's goal to experience the taste of this apple. While this metaphor may seem unnecessary, I now understand its value and accuracy. It is very difficult for me to express certain emotions regarding my study abroad experience thus far, so creating a metaphor to do so is extremely useful.

Now that you understand the apples, I can explain to you why I have been experiencing an apple #2 period recently. While I am still completely in love with this place, there are times when I feel as though I made a mistake leaving the States and Tufts for an entire year. Undoubtedly, living abroad is an experience that I would never pass up, but now that everyone at home is going back to school, I feel as though I am missing out. I had a ton of work this past week, which would be fine but for the fact that I hate spending my time abroad doing work, especially because I can't seem to forget that it's August and I would normally still be on summer break. What makes focusing on school even more difficult, though, is that  I am still new to this city, there is still so much that I want to do, and time seems to be flying by! I think it is important that I realize that I am here for another four months and will have plenty of time to do all that I want to do before I leave.

Despite these apple #2 feelings, this weekend was another great one. On Friday, I went out to Century City, a newly developed edge city (a term I learned in one of my Sociology classes - it describes self-sufficient cities located outside of a major metropolitan area) with a high-end mall and a wealthy demographic to match. It is hard for me to believe that an enclave of such great wealth is located just a stone's throw away from numerous poverty-stricken townships in the area. As always, it was so nice to explore the city (and its surroundings) on my own for the day. That night I went with two other interstudy students to a wine tasting hosted by the Wine and Culture Society, of which we are all members. While the wine we tasted was not the best, it was still nice to spend time around South Africans who share our interests. I love the fact that wine is such an integral part of Capetonian student life - quite a change from the drinking that occurs among college students in the States!

The rest of my weekend was spent outside thanks to the amazing weather that the city has been experiencing lately. My roommate and I walked along the water in Green Point and Sea Point on Saturday. I stopped to try a human maze there, which, according to its owner is a metaphor for life and love. The towns along the water (of which there are many) are beautiful, and there is so much to see and do in them! Once the weather gets even nicer, I hope to spend a lot of time exploring them all.

In addition to the water, the mountains are everywhere. As part of my Kilimanjaro training, I climbed Devil's Peak today with two of my friends. We stopped at Rhodes Memorial, which is nestled into the mountain behind the UCT campus. Then we continued hiking for about four hours, stopping along the way to eat lunch and to soak up the 360 degree views of the city and suburbs. Even after the Kili climb, I hope to make climbing a Sunday tradition. There is no better way to see the area, get exercise, and bond with people than to spend a day in the mountains - and the trail options are limitless!

The weekend ended with an afternoon swim at a friends' house in Camps Bay, another beautiful area on the coastline. It was so refreshing to jump in a pool after climbing all day - and the food they served was much appreciated as well! The afternoon was made even better, though, when I received a call from my parents to say that they arrived safely in Johannesburg. They are spending the next few days in Zambia at Victoria Falls, and they will be in Cape Town on Wednesday. I hope that my apple #2 days are behind me so that I can enjoy the next few weeks with my parents before the vac (read: Spring Break!).

As I said, I am beginning to miss home a little, so you should all send me updates! I hope all is well...