If fashionably late was a style, Africa would be so in…

            The concept of time over here in Africa is definitely different than in the US.  In short, there is just no time.  People come and go as they please and the concept of a schedule just doesn’t seem to exist (Mairin you would have a panic attack!)  We are beginning to understand new phrases that describe exactly how “on time” or rather late something is going to happen.  The phrase that you hope to hear when wanting to be on time is “now now.”  This is followed by “just now” and then “whenever.”  Suddenly it became clear to me why it took so long to call my mom when I got off the plane at the airport.  Ronel (one of the staff) kept telling me Taku had purchased a calling card and we would call my mother “just now.”  I really didn’t understand why we weren’t actually calling her at the moment.  (Sorry mom!)  Trying to make decisions as a house is a little frustrating as well.  It is not easy to organize 17 peoples requests and it generally takes at least and hour to actually get out and going!  Hopefully once we are better acquainted with the area this will change. 

Despite these minor adjustments we have definitely been finding some fun!    Yesterday four of us woke up to go on a hike at 6 in the morning!  When my alarm started chirping (a noise I deeply despise) I was very tempted to shut it off and fall back asleep. But I really want to get out and walk around this area so I can figure everything out, so I hopped out of my bed. The views walking up to Rhodes Memorial were definitely worth the early wake up.  The four of us hiked up to Rhodes Memorial, which is a little above campus to meet up with another RA who offered to show us around.  He had brought his unicycle, which was very exciting to watch!  We hiked down to Newlands Forest, an area full of trails.  I hope to spend a lot of time exploring these trails and hike up Table Mountain as well!

Last night while we were out I ran into a girl from high school.  I think I did a triple take I was so surprised! Neither of us knew the other was even here but it will be nice to spend the semester in the same city!  Shows how small the world really is. Tonight we are celebrating Dania’s 21^st birthday at Tiger Tiger and are told it is going to be a great night (which I don’t doubt).  I am currently at a café called Cocoa WahWah that gives you 40 megabyte internet vouchers when you buy a drink, sandwich, dessert, etc.  I was just given a bite of Ben’s chocolate cake—pretty sure that is going to be my weakness in this city.  Boulder folks—it totally gives the cookies and cupcakes at Boulder Baked a run for their money (only it doesn’t deliver them warm at your door). 

Well I should probably hit post before my internet runs out!  Hope all of you in the negative temperatures bundle up and stay inside.  I will be thinking of you while I soak up the warm weather and sun!

Love,

Catie

Sunrise over Cape Town

Hiking with Remy