"South Africa" a Cape Town Travel Page by nichole_521

What can I say about South Africa? First, there are not enough adjectives to describe the beauty and wonder this country holds. I am not the first to say this country in the southern hemisphere holds it all: oceans, mountains, soulful people, an abudance of wildlife, diversity, sweet wine, rolling hills, and the list goes on and on.

I traveld to South Africa with my boyfriend, Daine, for three months to experience life in a foreign country. Ever since I saw a picture of Cape Town in my grandpa's National Geographic when I was ten I knew it was a place that I must experience for myself. We started our adventure July 28, 2005 and arrived in the cape on August 4, 2005 (after a week stop in Europe). Cape Town is a beautiful city to fly into on a clear, sunny day. After getting off the plane Daine and I just looked at each other in bewilderment, thinking so this is what being in Africa feels like (though it is often said Cape Town is the least African city).

On our drive to Camps Bay from the airport we encourted extreme poverty along with extreme beauty. We saw the townships along the highways, the mountains and the ocean that the cape is made of. It was a strange feeling. We finally arrived at our apartment where we stayed for three months, Panorama Residence, which was wonderful. It was a studio apartment with views of Lion's Head and the Atlantic ocean. We were so close to both of these landmarks that we often just walked down to the beach or up to the mountain. Again, we were just amazed by the beauty of this city. Daine has been to Hawaii, the Bahamas and all over Europe and stated the Cape Town was certainly the most beautiful place he has encountered.

We spent our time in South Africa just enjoying life. We visited all the attractions such as: Table Mountain, Robbens Island, the windlands, V&A Waterfront, the numerous beaches, Cape Point, the southern most tip of Africa, the District 6 museum, the Botanical Gardens, Boulder Beach, Hermanus for whale watching and I do not even remember what else.

Towards the end of the trip I had mixed feelings, but overall I was ready and anxious to get back home to see my family and friends, stop dividing by six constantly (converting the Rand to the USD), to drive on the right side of the road and to feel the sense of full belonging again. I still remember the taxi ride to the airport, the last glance of Camps Bay, Lion's Head, Table Mountain, the Atlantic Ocean, feeling the craziness of the traffic and the freshness in the air.

I am now home and memories of my three months in Africa come to me daily. I am grateful to have been able to travel with another person such as Daine, because no one else can really understand the impact of my stories or see the full beauty in the pictures, but those who have been. We both hope to go back one day, but until then our memories will bring us back whenever we wish to travel to the distant land.

Many say Africa is addicting and I must say I second that saying

Besides just relaxing on the beach with a good book, we both volunteered. Daine volunteered at the Volunteer Center near the V&A Waterfront and I volunteered for the Green Village School and in the Kayhlatia township.

My experience working with the children in the township encompassed so many feelings. It was amazing, heart breaking, eye opening, challenging, delightful, humbling, and educational. My time there was very powerful, a time that will never leave my mind or my heart. I rode with two German girls, an American girl and myself and as we entered the township the world seemed to change. Homes were made from tin, scrap wood, tires, plastic and other random particles. People were on the streets selling oranges, chairs, their skills and numerous other things. We spent our time helping at a school for children 3-9, but it was not a typical school. Class rooms had 40 plus children, a typical teacher does not have a degree, there are not enough desks, textbooks, pencils or toys for all the children.

I left with many smiles and tears. The tears were for the struggles they face day in and day out, for the way they are treated, for the playground they did not have, for the chances they may miss due to their circumstances. What shines through the most in the people I met were not their struggles, but their beings. The women at the school were gracious and genuine. The children had the biggest smiles I have ever seen, they lit up my soul. I received many soulful hugs and experienced human compasion in a new sense. I never knew people could touch me at such a deep, real level. They will always be with me, because they have become a part of me.