Arriving back in Cape Town was quite a relief after spending the weekend in Durban. While my friends and I had an awesome time exploring the rest of South Africa, we all agreed that Cape Town is a far more vibrant city than Durban is. Unfortunately, the weather in KwaZulu-Natal was not nearly as nice we had anticipated - definitely not beach weather! My roommate, Mark, and I arrived a day earlier than the two others (they missed their morning flight and took an evening one instead), so we spent the day exploring Durban. One of the highlights of the weekend was our visit to uShaka Marine World, one of the best aquariums I have ever been to (other than the one in Monterey, CA). The rest of that day went downhill when we were led astray by our guidebook to a dilapidated town called Berea, which has absolutely nothing to offer other than a couple bad malls. Once our friends arrived and we met Roger, a Brazilian guy from London who spent the rest of the weekend with us, everything became more exciting. I especially liked our trip to Umlanga, a town in the northern suburbs of Durban. While the strip of beaches along the Golden Mile in Durban is world-renowned, the beach in Umlanga was far more beautiful. The lighthouse and the piers along the rocky beach were comparable to what you see on postcards! Even better, though, was the Gateway mall. While this sounds touristy and lame, it was actually awesome because it has the largest standing wave in the world. For those of you who are not familiar with standing waves (I certainly wasn't before this weekend), they are structures built in the shape of waves with water flowing rapidly over them. The water pressure and current allow people to surf on them. It was such a good time! Other than that, though, Durban was not much to write home about.
With that said, it was very exciting to get back to Cape Town. Thankfully I chose to study here as opposed to in Durban! This week went by pretty quickly, despite the fact that I was extremely busy planning my Kilimanjaro climb. My friends and I have paid, and are officially leaving for Tanzania on August 30th! I spent the afternoon today buying some of the gear I will need for the climb. Needless to say, this is going to be pretty intense! I've been making an effort to train as much as I can in the next month before I leave, though. Spinning classes at the gym have been my workout of choice because they give me both cardio and leg muscle exercise. What worries me even more than fitness, though, is the threat of altitude sickness, which is the primary reason that people don't summit. I hope that our slow ascent will sufficiently ease me into the altitude change. While my roommate says he will feel like a failure if he doesn't make it to the top, I know that I will be psyched to make to the mountain at all. I think this will be the first time that I push myself physically to such a great extent, so I am really excited about it!
On another note, I am looking forward to this weekend, as interstudy is taking us to Robben Island, the prison in which Nelson Mandela was kept for 18 years, the District 6 Museum, which is located in the Bo-Kaap area of Cape Town that was evacuated of its Muslim residents during the apartheid, and finally Langa, a township nearby. On Sunday, I, along with the two others climbing Kilimanjaro, am going to climb up and down Table Mountain, a six-hour climb, as part of our training. While I know it will be tough, I would have done regardless of the Kili climb, as it is something that everyone does while they are here for the semester. We will celebrate the completion of the climb on Sunday night at the Jewish comedienne's house, where we will eat bagels and soup - my first South African bagel!
As always, I am thoroughly enjoying every day here. Even when classes are frustrating, I still manage to stay positive about this place. I feel like I am learning how to cope with the differences between South Africa and the States more and more each day. While I have been here over a month now and I know time will continue to fly, I am glad that I am already feeling so comfortable here - now I can enjoy it!
Here is the link to my newest photo album, which I posted on facebook. Please let me know if you have a problem viewing the pictures!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2005718&l=c0860&id=1085820031
2 comments:
I am glad to see you returned safely from Durban. It sounds like it was better "on paper", while planing it, than in reality; athough the wave rider surf action sounded like a ton of fun!!
I think your expedition to "kili" (I like the affectionate jargon - kind of like your going to embrace a friend) will be a fabulous challenge, and I do hope your training pays off. Perhaps a few climbs up table mountain should be part of your preparation rather than just one, as it will be the best "similar" test of your endurance (other than the altitude - which is simply a matter of acclimation if your body is so inclined).
While climbing, just remember, if you are not feeling well enough to complete the climb.....don't be a hero....especially if you have altitude sickness, which there will be nothing you can do about other than rest.
But on the other hand....I think pushing yourself for this true expedition will be a truly rewarding experience. How great it will be to conquer kili! I only wish I were staying on another week so I could go with you.....but I am sure the company of friends trumps dear old dad :).
Anyway, on another note, I have to say I have been truly enjoying our new found method of communication, even if its in a public forum. I feel so much more connected to you, reading and writing about your experiences. Thank you for taking the time to keep us all informed. I feel like we are vicariously experiencing your adventures.
Lots of Love
Dad
I am enjoying your blog so very much. You seem to be so open to new experiences and people. What an adventure you are having.
Your parents are chomping at the bit - they cannot wait to see you, South Africa, and share new experiences with you. Now that you are becoming an"old hand", you can be their guide. Have fun with them.
From what I have heard from people who have made the trek up "Kili" it will be one of your life-remembering experiences. However, some did not become acclimated to the altitude and had to stay back. While regretful, it really did not spoil the adventure too much. The real adventure was in the attempt. Just be careful, and listen to your body.
I am off to the Vineyard for a week, so will not be reading your blog for awhile. Something for me to look forward to upon my return.
Always with love,
Nana Micki
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