Cheers

Happy 21st of December!!

I can't believe it's already almost Christmas. It does not feel like Christmas at all here. I've been playing Christmas music for the past 4 days trying to make it feel more like Christmas, but no such luck. Although i've been making paper snowflakes and decorating the house in preparation, there is no snow outside, i'm wearing dresses instead of sweaters and the closest thing to a Christmas tree in our house at the moment is the decorated empty wine bottle. 

Somehow without the family, wrapping presents with mama, cleaning the house, baking puppy chow and prepping for mocha punch the Christmas spirit is lacking. Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying the warmth of summer time here, but Christmas means cold weather and snow to me. My friend and flat mate, Lisa, and i are  hosting Christmas dinner at our house on Sunday and we are so excited to be planning for it. As much as both of us are missing being home for the Holiday, we are making the most of it and enjoying the friendships we have here. 

To all my family and friends, i'm sad about not being home for Christmas. I did not realize how much Christmas means family to me until this season came around. The good thing is, ill be surrounded by the best people i know in this country.

So, for my last month here i've compiled a list of things i wanted to do before i came that i have done and still want to do. 

Things I have done:

• completed a 5 month practicum
• abseiling
• sandboarding
• rock climbing
• skydiving
• hiking
• swim with Penguins
• visit a children's home
• swimming with sharks (originally to go shark cage diving, but bating sharks into the bay is no good)
• made many baked goods
• visit a township
• spent time on all local beaches
• surfing
• kloofing
• Spelunking

Things I have not done yet:

• bungee jumping (probably will not happen this trip)
• shark cage diving (will not do, as it is hazardous to bring sharks into the bay)
• take the cable car to top of Table Mountain (will happen soon)
• gone on safari (may or may not happen)
• visit Robin Island (happens next week)
• scuba diving (happens next week)

So, I’ve been really blessed with everything I’ve done. I feel entirely lucky and wouldn’t have changed one minute of it. The time I spent at the hospital has given me a whole new perspective on life. I’ve seen so many families who are supportive of each other, seek the information they need, and moms who spend every waking minute at their child’s bedside. I’ve seen families who entirely dysfunctional, family members who show up drunk to hospital, moms who leave their child in the hospital then don’t come back and abusive situations that no one does anything about. It’s really eye opening to be in situations like these. I spent much time with a young girl, about 1 ½ years old, her mom brought her to the hospital and then was not seen again until the girl was discharged. Finally, when this child was able to go home, the mom couldn’t be reached and she had to stay in hospital an extra week before she could go home. It was heartbreaking. The experience is something its own. It's hard to put it all into words. There is so much I wish I could share, but I wouldnt know where to start. The hospital gave me plenty of stories to share when i go home. Some beautiful, but many heartbreaking...

Cape Town has been amazing to say the least.

Last week, I went to a beach about an hour away (via the train) and actually swam in the ocean. Despite being freaked out by the kelp and the sea urchins. I jumped off a giant boulder, about 15 feet, into the ocean, swam through kelp and snorkeled above some of the most beautiful scenery. I swam next to a baby pajama shark and a few other fish, found about 10 starfish, several puffer fish and scraped my knee on the muscles that I had to climb over to get out of the water. Earlier today, I swam with penguins and lay on the rocks next to them. The water was warm enough to relax in, which is pretty unusual for Cape Town water.  The experiences have been beyond amazing. I have definitely fallen in love here. I’ll be sad to leave.