final lessons - the 'you ought to know' session

First photo taken in Cape Town. I've drank at least one cup of tea everyday I've been here and I've no regrets.

I don't think there's anything as great as looking back on where you've been and where you are now, but I'll be sure to post my reflective thoughts when I say goodbye to South Africa at the end of this week. For now, I'd like to take a moment for some 'final lessons' which I wish someone told me coming to Cape Town. Most of these, however, are things people actually did tell me, but I highly underestimated its truth! I'll make this post a bit more unique than the other weekly 'lessons' by organizing it as countdown and ranked by vitality. Here we go, what I wish they told me coming to South Africa:

7. "Cape Town is cold." And just because you're from Colorado you think you know cold. There is also no central heating, so oftentimes the outside is much more warmer than the inside temperature. Thus, make sure to bring a jacket and more than three pairs of socks. Might as well bring a robe while you're at it.

6. "The University of Cape Town is difficult." I suppose many student abroad students get by with ease by taking all first-year courses but if you aim to satisfy relevant requirements with coursework back home UCT is real. When you hear that it is the number one university in all of Africa do not think that the standard is automatically lower. These students are highly intellectual, motivated, and work their tails off for education.

5. "Don't be so smiley." I often enjoy people too much and sometimes I can't help but show it. Clearly kindness should never leave you, but I've quickly learned that you must be able to recognize the environment around you and respond to it appropriately (if anything, various things you will see cannot merit a smile).

4. "It goes by too fast, before you know it it's all over." I can probably say the same thing about college seeing as I am more than halfway finished, but this experience has flown by. I have looked back at some of the larger events/get-togethers I had to miss out on while here but I still remember not having time to do much more else.

3. "Life continues without you back home." Knew it was true but it didn't/doesn't really sink in sometimes--though relationships really ought to be developed and grown back home. It's almost a perspective that can be argued on both sides; many of us are living out incredible adventures abroad so others assume we are busy. In the same way, you wonder if your communities back home have given you much thought this past school year. It's always a two-way stream and I have now experienced both sides, so it's interesting to see how true it is. I also hear that upon return most people really don't care to listen to you rave about abroad experiences, so I'll definitely be cognizant about that one.

2. "You will encounter racism." I knew this was inevitable and that I could handle it, and I still can. South Africa is very much still in a dynamic and transformative period in their history, so much of society and its troubles are still rooted in 'color.' The worst part is when you realize you are no better; we racially profile people on the streets to a degree that it almost becomes 'normal.' It is a shame but nonetheless real.

1. "Be careful because you will fall in love with this place." Heard this several times before and it's not that I did not believe it, but I didn't have any context to grasp how true it would become for me. And I'll leave it at that.

Enjoy the start to your week my friends, a few more posts will be coming out this week before I say cheers to this beautiful country.

lessons - session 15

Greenery on campus at the beginning of 'Lover's Walk.' From what I hear, the path is actually quite dangerous, how ironic.

1. Study periods are hard! The last lecture I had was Oct. 13 and my first exam is actually tomorrow evening (Oct. 28) so I've had a good two weeks of trying to focus myself. We will see how it goes.

2. Had ourselves a semi-impromptu beach day this past week. It's so funny because both the rooms and I felt weird having too much fun on a random weekday haha. We are so elderly.

3. As much as I love my home state, can't say I am too excited to return to winter weather. Summertime seems to be alive and well (aka a little bit too hot and humid for comfort) here in Cape Town but I'll pick that over freezing any day.

4. Finally purchased most all of my souvenirs! I still remember back in late July when I thought I had so much time to figure all that out... time certainly does fly.

5. Trying to plan out my European travels after Cape Town, it's not over yet friends :)

6. If I ever get the chance to return to South Africa I'm definitely making trips out to Durban and Joburg! Decision made!

7. Farewell parties and get-together's are certainly in full swing; definitely having to open up my planner because my schedule is getting so hectic, but I couldn't be more happy about that.

lessons - session 14

The path through the rugby fields that turn into a lovely catwalk. Work it bru.

1. I'm finally getting to hear the experiences of apartheid from the perspectives of a couple white Afrikana. Just as important from both sides--it is in these conversations that the real "study" abroad experience occurs. Hopefully I'll find the time/energy to crank those thoughts out here.

2. Not so great emergency room visit--allergic reactions are no joke. Getting sick always makes me, literally, remember to be thankful for every breath.

3. Dinner with local friends at the girls version of Simunye house, which they call the Mosaic. It was the Canadian Thanksgiving the day before but the food kind of resembled our American Thanksgiving, so we decided to celebrate early with some laughs and Settlers of Catan. I now truly understand the blessing that lies in people inviting you over to prepare a meal for you. So grateful.

4. The guys' group at the Y arranged a Table Mountain hike for Saturday morning (yesterday) so we thought we'd finally have a chance to conquer the peak. Met up and there was a change of plans, but it turned out even better as we hiked a different peak (Boomslang) and got to explore its caves. Caves are the best thing next to baked goods, so no complaints!

5. Had the last 'Hub' meeting on Friday night and they honored all of us that would not be returning (typically for graduating third-years). My heart melted when they had me come up as well, I've been part of such a great family of people out here, still can't get over it.

6. We aimed to bring a bit of 'America' to local friends at the Y after Hub by having a bonfire with s'mores, but I can't say it did any justice. Graham crackers do not exist out here so biscuits were used as substitute. Hahha nooo. And s'mores aren't entirely a new thing to all South Africans, but the ones who have had it before never put chocolate on it, so someone forgot to buy the chocolate. Ha love it.

7. Farewell dinner with my program last night at an 'upscale' African restaurant called Moyo. It's still so sad to think a lot of these guys will not return home with me to DU. Saying farewell to South Africa includes so many of these awesome people too.

lessons - session 13

Several days this week this slide was usable on the second set of Jammie steps. Can't say I participated.

1. Lectures are (pretty much) done and study period has kicked in. Still not too happy about having to leave the country the following day of my very last final examination, but we'll make it work.

2. Birthday was this past week. Tea time with some awesome girls then dinner with several other girls from my program. I've received a crazy amount of love from these folks.

3. I'm trying to finish (but really start) an essay due Tuesday evening, but it involves doing "research" by using Facebook. I don't see how they expect us to actually get work done this way.

4. Sat on the Jammie steps Thursday afternoon during meridian (lunch break) to watch the event that was going on for Jammie Thursdays. The deejay asked for a show of hands whether or not this was a last event for those graduating. I then realised it was my last one too (too bad I didn't even stay haha).

5. This weekend was a landmark occasion as I finally got to visit the Simunye house, a dwelling I have been hearing about over the last couple of months. It houses seven guys from the Student Y and The Message Church and is known as the gathering place for braai and celebrations. Saturday night was in honor of the twins' birthday and the release of the most recent edition of a magazine. Also plenty of food, what more could you ask for.

6. I then visited one of The Message Church's small home group talks the following morning at the Simunye House, and it was so good. Simunye means "We Are One" and that sentiment is live and well here.

7. Asked some friends to give me a Xhosa name (one that I could actually pronounce) and I'm guessing the spelling would be something along the lines of "Cisaba," a name that means "Advisor." Let's hope I can actually remember the pronunciation.

lessons - session 12

1. Last full week of lectures is this upcoming week! We then have about two weeks of a "study period" (which I hear is insanely necessary eep) and then exam period is over the course of three weeks. Oh boy.

2. Sonora told me about a great cafe to grab lunch in middle campus. I've found my go-to place during my long afternoon breaks! Out by the engineering building too so it's modern, clean, and quiet; the perfect study place when it's nice outside and the library is too much of a downer.

3. It's like October hits and now 'summer' is in the air. Cape Town is similar to Colorado in that the weather is unpredictable and you can get all sorts of temperature in one day, but I'm hearing the incessant rain season should be over now. Crossing fingers, but the forecast for this week looks good.

4. ^^^ P.s. I hear it snowed out in D-town this past week. Haha.

5. Last tutoring session with my SHAWCO kiddos are next Thursday and Friday. Lots of emotions going on so we'll wait on that one.

6. Another one of the terms I think I'll be taking back with me is saying "shame" at unfortunate news. And I'm not the only one picked this one up easy too.

7. The rooms and I were talking about how terrible it is because a lot of the guys at the Y are starting to call us by nicknames they've given us. Mixed emotions right there.

lessons - session 11

Fishhoek

1. The Y Formal last night, soooo much fun! Pictures to come soon. Finally got to sokkie (a type of Afrikaans dance similar to swing dancing) but I can't say that I did it well.

2. The guys at the Y have been gracious enough to let me be a part of the organizing committee for the next orphan outreach next week (though I didn't really ask to join, just was told to show up to a meeting). There is nothing more welcoming than putting someone to work (but really!),

3. The large insects who find their way into our flat have built an army and I think they are planning something. I used to live in harmony with the smaller ones but today a leaper showed up and I don't think I can handle that.

4. Braai it on (South African puns).

5. Feeling like this is the first weekend in the past 2 months that I haven't had anything strenuous academic things to work on. Feels good.

6. Realized that saying goodbye to this country will mean saying goodbye to the roomie. Choosing not to keep track of time.

7. Currently writing this post in Cocoa Wah Wah (this cafe is to me as Central Perk is to Friends). Just hanging around watching people do their own people-watching. Can't get any better than this.

lessons - session 10

1. This past week was so good and necessary. The relationships I've made here are more than I could ever ask for, I am growing so much and I am so content.

2. Let the record reflect that on Friday, September 13th (ooh, creepy?) I had my first milk tart (or "melktert" in Afrikaans, it is a SA dessert). We sat in a cold, dark room (power had gone out) and feasted like queens.

3. On the list of 'things to bring' for the Ignite overnight camp they listed torches. Later found that 'torches' are what they call flashlights.

4. The second you walk into a gathering someone goes to prepare tea, coffee, and another usually has biscuits to share. Our local friends asked us what Americans serve when we get together and it's saddening to think the first option is most frequently soda (though I don't even drink soda). I've had a tea addiction throughout college already, and I can honestly say I have had at least one cup of tea (usually 2-3 everyday) since the day I first arrived here.

5. Ironically enough, I am going to miss being called out and referred to as "America." It has a nice ring to it.

6. Here the letter "z" is pronounced as "zed." For instance, if someone were to describe an instance and say "We have to do x, y, z," they would literally say "We have to do x, y, zed. Confused me a bit in my stats class when we'd use z as a variable in optimization problems and I literally thought my lecturer was referring to a Latin or Greek term I had never heard of before.

7.  Prayers for all of you with all of the Colorado flooding, especially for all of you in Boulder! Stay safe friends.

lessons - session 9

One of UCT's Jammie Thursdays a while back on the Jammie steps. Go tigers?

1. Right about the time this post is scheduled to be published I will be away at Ignite Student Missions Conference with the Student Y. I'm sure more about that will come in time!

2. Whenever I introduce my name to people I am told of its origins--at home I am told it originates from the Spanish but here it is either Afrikaans or Indian. And they've all got different ways of pronouncing it, several of my friends enjoy saying my name in the most dramatic ways possible.

3. Finally got to journey to Stellenbosch, Francshhoek, and see a bit of Paarl at the end of last weekend. So quaint!

4. South Africans use the word "hectic" with the same frequency that we say "crazy."

5. Getting excited for the rest of the month, there are some awesome events coming up this month!

6. As many of my local friends talk about plans for the next year it is so weird to think I won't be here to see their hopes become a reality. I've got two more months to experience life with some of the most genuine people I have ever met. Leaving will surely be bittersweet, but right now I am trying to step away from counting down the days.

7. Hope all of my DU family is off to a great start! First-years better be sure to reserve some space for some good old Sonia-loving when I return!

lessons - session 8

1. One of the worst part of school is that test grades (and term grades) are posted for all to see, no anonymity with ID numbers or any of those graceful concepts like back home. Your name and score are up for public knowledge.

2. Got a not so fun eye infection the first few days of vac. Don't fall asleep in your contacts dear friends.

3. Remember how I thought I mastered the Xhosa click for the letter "X," well I guess I've been clicking the letter "Q" instead. I need some real lessons.

4. I have had a secret desire to bury my worn-out toms somewhere in the shores of South Africa, but when I had the chance I could not let them go. I think they're here to stay.

5. Had the privilege of seeing the Cape Town Youth Choir perform, they are one of the best youth choirs in the world.

6. So thankful for the bit of quiet this past week; I've gotten to have some great  one-on-one conversations with so many people who have become a huge part of this trip.

7. Today I got walk down the street where Mandela was first released from prison after 27 years. History can have a way of moving you.

lessons - session 7

The view from my bus stop every morning

1. Today marks two months here in the Mother City, I am blessed.

2. I has been raining on and off since Wednesday. I will be so sad if spring delays itself this month!

3. If you order a 'burger,' the default is a 'burger' made of chicken. In order to get a burger made of beef, you actually have to ask for beef.

4. Once again, I am beginning to regret that almost all of the music I own is 'sleepy time' songs. Doesn't do me any good when trying to write papers.

5. One of the boys that I tutor tried to teach me how to say certain commands in Xhosa so that I could get a hold of students when they are rambunctious. Yet, he also taught me how to say "I am giving birth right now." Love these kids more every week.

6. I have been trying to actively be thankful for my health everyday; in Colorado my allergies/asthma easily takes a toll overall so I was a bit wary about the possibility of getting seriously ill so far from home. Yet, I haven't needed to take allergy medication, inhaler, nebulizer, etc. I sneezed the other day and it was probably the first time in weeks, so this is a big deal hha. So really, I am so thankful!

7. A good amount of my Interstudy friends are headed out to Botswana this week for vac (Spring Break). Hope you guys enjoy your adventure!

lessons - session 6

1. I think I've finally gotten the "X" pronounciation in Xhosa down. Only took a good seven weeks.

2. The question asked here has nothing to do with whether or not you are in a relationship; rather it is "are you married." When I answer no, the next question is, "do you have kids?" Alrighty then.

3. With as crazy as the driving is here, I repeatedly hear that it is Cape Town that has the most safe drivers in all of the country. Wow.

4. The same ^^^ goes for levels of violence, though Cape Town has it's share of robberies and such, many locals say it does not compare to other major cities at all. So sad to hear :(

5. I have finally made the trek from my flat to the main campus (let's not forget most of this is an incline). We were to be somewhere early in the morning on a Saturday and the shuttles only run on an hourly basis during the weekend; thus, the wait time was unpredictable. Knew it had to be done some time.

6. Went to an event for Powerhouse, Hillsong Church's 18-25 young adult ministry at one of the large performance theaters in town. It was crazy beautiful, and I don't think I've laughed that hard in a while. Good stuff right there.

7. Went on an outreach for an orphanage/foster/childcare home and we took the kiddos to the Cape Town Museum. The trip included a show in the planetarium, but when they explained that there are only eight planets, some of us university students couldn't handle it. Live on, Pluto. Post to come about this one soon!

Lessons - Session 5

1. I've got a small, local coffee shop in town that is my go-to study place, Vive e Cafe, and I am on a first name basis with all of the baristas. It is a dream come true. The guys who work there are hilarious (though loud haha).

2.  It's amazing how the very thing you think should be pronounced a certain way (your name) is not always as it seems. For example, met this guy named Grant and us Americans say 'Gr-ant,' whereas he pronounces it almost Gr-aunt (give your best British/South African imitation my friends). 'Gr-ant' is what we naturally regurgitate back to him, but that's not similar by any means! Tried to pronounce it as 'Gr-aunt' a few times and he says I should still with my American accent.

3. Most people who do not work in tourist-y areas do not know what napkins are; they are referred to as serviettes.

4. I was trying to describe a girl I had met to a local friend of mine and he asked if she was "plump" with the most serious face. We might see this as a term that is offensive, but here it's not a bad thing at all. Just a description no different than black, white, or coloured. Still getting used to everyone's frankness.

5. I got on a Jammie with a bunch of the old, mean ladies who use the shuttle bus early one morning. They spoke their native language and were hollering and laughing real loud, then suddenly the bus driver stops in the middle of the road and turns around to shout at them. Threatened to have them banned from the bus (yes!) if they continue the behavior. They laughed at him and got off. Don't know what they were saying, but they abuse these poor guys.

6. Spent an entire day last weekend all by myself hopping from different places studying, and it was one of my favorite days (among many) since I've been here.

7. My roommate and I have some West African friends (Nigerians and a Kenyan) we've made that live in the Nest (our flat complex). Had them over for dinner and put together an "American" meal (soft tacos--hence the quotes) that really turned out to be burritos. None of them had even heard of a burrito, much less tortillas or guacamole. They prepared some West African dishes later on and we are on our way to becoming "thick." Hooray.

Have a good week :)

lessons - session 4

Views from our daily commute to campus

1. People here are so much blunt with the speech, and it is almost a relief. Hoping I will become more outwardly honest when I return home.

2. There is no such thing as "texting" someone, it is, rather, "sms-ing."

3. When I told the sixth grade Masizame boys I tutor that I was from America, one of their first questions was if I had met Obama. The next question was if people ever saw Justin Beiber or Lady Gaga in real life. And then they proceeded to ask me "what do you do in America?"

4. South Africans, and Europeans alike (I believe), use the term "queue" rather than saying "line," like waiting in a line.

5. The most rude people in our university shuttles (The Jammie) are the middle-aged women. They will unashamedly cut you off and push into you in order to take the step onto the Jammie before you. And they always seem to know each other. But you will be too polite to knock an old lady down. And, with that, I digress.

6. Still finding I need chapstick here just as much as I do at home, mehhh.

7. I have met loads of locals and they all seem to remember my name. This is great, except for the fact there are a good few who I recognize, but don't recall ever actually meeting them, thus I don't remember their names at all.  That just shows how much more intentional so many of them are when they greet a stranger. The worst bit is that I've been called out in places like a coffeeshop and randomly on the street, so I never really remember where I met the person hollering to me. What makes it worse is that I am so bad at pronouncing a lot of the Xhosa names. Oy vey. Another thing I need to work on and ought to take back home with me.

lessons - session 3

Click the image to enlarge

1. This past week a student ministry constructed a bedroom set outside in the middle of Jammie Plaza, the central hub of campus. Behind the bedroom was the board (as pictured above) asking, "Why did you get out of bed this morning?" Take some time to read some of the responses, there are several humorous ones too. Got a lot of people talking, good stuff right there.

2. I've seen combinations of eye color and skin tones that I have literally never seen before. The diversity is so beautiful.

3. Traffic lights are called "robots."

4. About nine months ago I attended a Cru regional conference in Estes Park where I heard about one of their missions trips (called Summer Project) that went to South Africa. Had an inkling to apply but I knew that wouldn't be possible if I wanted to study abroad somewhere. Guess who just ran into some of the Cru Summer Project students! Small world, small world.

5. Crosswalks seem to mean nothing in Cape Town. And if you jaywalk, seems as though drivers like to speed up as if hitting you is a personal goal.

6. Toilets do flush in the opposite direction. And I've found if you ask someone where the "restroom" is, six out of ten times they won't know what you are talking about. They simply call it the toilet.

7. Stood in line for a good ten minutes while three Afrikaaners did their best 'Merica impersonation. They did it all to well.

Have a great week!

lessons - session 2

1. On Mandela Day, I heard a conspiracy theory that if Mr. Mandela passes away within the next couple of weeks he must have actually died several weeks ago. His rationale was that the government just wanted to prolong his life for the sake of the people. He also said that making it to 95 sounded better than passing at 94. Welp. I guess we'll really never know.

2. Despite the diversity, I am yet to see anyone of a Hispanic ethnicity.

3. The zebras here are not black and white, they are brown and white. Say what?!

4. My roommate and I have had the pleasure of making friends with other Africans (not simply South Africans) who live in the Nest as well. We've had great (sometimes intense) conversations with our neighbors here.

5. Not all universities have the privilege of administration through the internet. Lecture venues may change on the first day. Consequently, I ran around for 40 minutes trying to find a random building where the dept. faculty offices was located (on the opposite end of campus) to check a piece of paper on the notice board. So my statistics and Media lectures are both located in a physics building...

6. I've met several Aussies, and they have all been so sweet. Many of the Norwegians have been a delight as well. I think I'll have to visit their home countries at some point in my life.

7. In a global view, the scope of discrimination is not limited to race. I have seen nationalism become a factor in discrimination, nationalism being an ideal that I had never previously considered an issue. I'll certainly have several posts about all the implications of such topics at different points in the future.

lessons - session 1

UCT international orientation included a drum session with 300+ students. So awesome.

 1. The "clicking language" spoken here is xhosa, pronounced toe-sa (with a distinct click in the 't'). It is one of South Africa's eleven official languages. Love the diversity.

2. There are no speed limits in Cape Town. Well, maybe, though I have not even seen a speed limit sign since I've gotten here. And I honestly have never seen vehicles--including large buses--move so quickly in my life. Even more, I am yet to see all but one driving accident, but this said car hit a pole, not another vehicle.

3. Smiling at strangers is not a common behavior, you will get unwanted attention. This ain't Colorado no more.

4. Those still learning to speak English are more familiar with the term "Americans" than the "United States." Still not sure about this one.

5. Africans are willing to talk about race, especially with black Americans. Such a different view from all sides; I've had a number of deep, fundamental conversations already in the first two weeks.

6. If you are a "Zim," you are from Zimbabwe.

7. I trust white vans (mini-buses) more than I do colored vans. We hop in them all the time...more on this topic later.

May or may not be able to post as frequently once classes start tomorrow, so I'll make sure to post a weekly list of seven lessons or random items from my week. 

Hopefully I'll make this a blogging minimum.

Happy Sunday!