Halfway point - week 5

Time is slow and fast at the same time.

It has been an extremely enriching learning experience so far. Both academically in the classroom and through the people we meet, and socially with the group here in our own exploration of our surroundings. Every day seems to be a constant break down and better understanding of both the people and the environment of South Africa.

Some factoids:

1. My roommate Megan could not be any more cool and easy to get along with.
2. Our house in Observatory is perfect. It'd be more perfect if the walls were soundproof, but that's okay.
3. Pic 'n Pay is the best grocery store ever.
4. I can't make rice on the stovetop. We need a real rice cooker around here.
5. My classmates know the concept of working hard and playing hard. It makes every day a busy day. It makes our experiences together fluid in time.
6. A handful of my classmates actually remember me as their Freshmen Orientation Leader, which makes them juniors now. Wow I feel old.
7. Hunter's Hard Cider is GooD. The best alternative to a beer.
8. Around here, it's not eleven-thirty, it's half past eleven. It's not nine forty-five, it's a quarter til ten.
9. Humidity here in the Western Cape seems to be non-existent, wee. It does get quite windy sometimes though, but I really can't complain about this weather. Our hottest day here was yesterday at 94 F, but usually it's around a comfortable 80 F.
10. The word Chinese seems to be synonomous to Asian. There are a lot of people of color here, but I'm a rare species. All the children ask if I know kung fu. Actually, yesterday, one of the high school students I work with asked if Chinese people married their brothers and sisters and if that was why we all look the same. He was serious. I had to laugh. And he was still serious.
11. I haven't seen a Starbucks around. Amazing. Although there IS a Seattle Coffee Co. at the mall.
12. McDonalds is apparently still new around here, so the menu isn't that different. The only difference I saw was a wrap of some sort as a meal.
13. A hot dog off the street is less than $2. Shooters at a bar is about $2 each. A mixed drink at a club is about $4. Clothing varies depending on where you go. The economic disparity here is crazy depending where you go. Money here is the rand - about six rand to a dollar.
14. A rock climbing class to become certified is $15. I can officially belay others now:)

I'm having a really good time in this place called Cape Town. As they would say goodbye (the Afrikaners anyway) around here: cheers!

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