TIA #6

 

Sitting outside, enjoying an as-nice-as-it-gets instant cup of coffee with an egg and cheese sandwich as Hootie and the Blowfish play through my computer speakers; thinking just how wonderful life is. The breeze picks up my hair in its currents and I feel at home, like this is where I am supposed to be, nowhere else. Even on my run yesterday my legs were cramping and I had a full-on cotton mouth; but it didn’t matter because I was running through Alice’s Wonderland or in this case Emily’s. It looked like a professional workout video with a beautiful backdrop to motivate you. Picture doing repetitions of various sculpting exercises in a beach dock watching surfers in the distance, a white beach, waves falling apart on rocks, and a family of dolphins out swimming in the deep, not such a bad workout. …Lost in paradise, but I feel found.  

TIA #6 V-DAY

Hope everyone had a lovely Valentine’s Day!!!!!! Love you all!
I have one of the most touching experiences on 02/14/2013!
We took a huge tour bus, like the 2 level kind you see in NYC, and had a donations dinner at the township in PE. (A township is where what you would actually picture 'Africa' to be. Starving families livin out of cardboard boxes, box-cars, some-what-of-a-shack; ut all very colorful? It's odd how it can be such a beautiful and trajic place simultaniously.) They had a lovely meal prepared for us, African traditional foods, lots of festive musical playins & dancing. It was very nice. But, it was so hard to enjoy this great meal they had for us, and yes we did pay R150 which actually is a lot of money for them, but actually eating the food while children are locked out of the fence 20 ft. away from you and straving and scared dog are looking at you hopelessly for food? That was hard. But extremely real. I needed that, to know where I am. know why I came. Even in this beautiful dream there are so many real nightmares happening around me that I just dance by with no worries. Hopefully we can find a re organization here where we can volunteer for free and try to spread some peace, ease the worries.


....TIA.

TIA #5

TIA # 5

So much to catch you up on!

Classes for the rest of the week went really good!!!! I’m taking:

Social Psychology, Industrial Psychology (a huge class of 400!), & Photojournalism (My teacher actually used to be a National Geographic photographer!!) These are just my classes for Term 1; I have a completely new set for term 2! Surprisingly, I have a friend in every class!  Although I have a strong love for Psychology, I think my Photojournalism class is going to be new favorite class!  I already have homework in my classes! ANDDDDD reality sets in…..hate it.

Besides school the week was really fun. (Ignoring my first scary movie moments in tow with Martin.) BUT, the weekend was AMAZING!!!!!! Basically all of Annie’s Cove went backpacking to Jeffery’s Bay! What a beautiful place! A true surfer’s paradise. Esther, Martin and I got surfing lessons and it was so much fun! I was so happy to have on a full body wet suit because there were hundreds of jelly fish floating around! Not your average jellies fish either, some were the size of a beach ball and the size of a golf ball with tentacles over a foot long! I survived though! We went out to eat at some locals spots, but mainly were beach bums. In our small/P.O.S. rental cars we went off-roading to some waterfalls and they had a swing thing you could go off of…it was really fun! We are definitely going back to J-Bay soon enough, only an hour away makes for a great road trip, and they have sand boarding!!!! I was going to do it on Sunday, but my hangover was a little too strong. I survived my fist Hostel experience and they’re actually really nice!! And super cheap, only R180 for 2 nights!!

 

I absolutely love all the people here. Everyone is so nice and jokes around. By the time this semesters done, were going to know each other inside out. Thank you Mom so much for giving me this experience! On the car ride home I was so tired, but wouldn’t dare close my eyes because everything is beautiful I didn’t want to miss out on anything.  Also, I am going to get my laundry done every day, sorry Mom but it might get expensive; because one of the hottest guys in PE delivers it to us! hahaha

Some cool things I’ve heard are:

·       When my professor was talking about skipping class he said; “Don’t give me any Mickey mouse excuses”

·       I was told; “I really admire your dress” instead of ‘I like your dress.’

Jesse-I am so, so, so, so incredibly proud of you! Even though I knew you would get accepted to China!!!! Wish I could give you a big hug or even a phone call! Soon enough I’ll be able to do option B! Your time is coming and I know you’re ready for it! Love you!

Hahahahahahahah. So. We got back to PE; the entire city was out of power. TIA! We all were kind of freaked out and decided to play cards, watch movies, and eat all the things in our fridges that would go bad together! Thank goodness I bought some candles! It finally turned back on right before we went to bed!

I’m actually pretty excited for my second week of school to start, get myself back in a normal routine. But I also hope the “I’m on vacation” feeling doesn’t go away…TIA.

Address!

My actual address is
Emily Beam
Unit 14 B Annies Cove
Summerstrands, Port Elizabeth
6001

TIA #4

TIA 4

2/11/13

The Market was a success, but extremely overwhelming. It reminded me a lot of Charleston’s market, so many beautiful things along the board walk. I only bought one painting because the rain came and ended our shopping trip. Let me tell you about a down pour!!! We made it just in time to a coffee shop before the monsoon.

MONDAY FUN DAY was great. I have no classes today J so I slept in and then actually did some exercise! We ran all the way to the beach in the HOT HOT sun and then I did a lil-bit of abs! 2 weeks of drinking really does work on your body. Muhhaha. Then I went with a group down to the beach, worked on the tan. Came back, made some vegetable stir fry and fish. Now off to the rugby game!!! SO excited, it’s the first home game! Whhhooohoooo, wish I knew our mascot. hehehe J

TIA #3

TIA #3

2/10/2013

 

FINALLY slept in this morning!!!!  What have I got to catch you up on?...

Thursday- my favorite night of the week…Ladies night at Barneys always gets me. People are always buying each other drinks and there are not really any creepy guys who try to dance with you, just friends. Although, I did meet two really cool guys, one from South Africa and the other from England! I absolutely love our group here, the Americans, Germans, Netherlandians??, French, and the Dutch! We always have so much fun and joke around with each other all night long. During the day though, I finally got my classes registered, but after 2 hours of pure stressing. I had to buy a new medical insurance, UNCW really needs to get it together! Arrrghhhhh, T.I.A.!!!

Germans absolutely love rap/hip-hop , dub-step/ electric music and beer.  Speaking of drinking, I have to live off instant coffee here, which isn’t as bad as the US, but still doesn’t nearly compare. The espresso maker at home really increased my addiction to a next level. So funny, because whenever we ask them a question about Germany, they always excitedly say “of course!!!” instead of yes. I love it.  They also can’t exactly pronounce anything with a “V,” it can be quite hysterical. Sometimes, I have to slow myself down when trying to explain things in English, forgetting that it’s not their 1^st language.

Friday- our event for orientation got canceled, so the entire day revolved around the pool and reading Silver Linings Playbook.  Then a group of us walked over to Spar and got groceries for a family dinner! A big group of us all pitched in and had a HUGE dinner, roasted potatoes, chicken, salad, sweet potatoes (which are white here), portabella mushrooms, fruit salad, bread , guacamole dip, and cookies! Wine was also includedJ A had lovely night!  

Saturday, last night, we had a city tour! This consisted of a tour guide pointing out buildings, walking around the board walk, and then going to the township, where we got to play with little children! So touching!  We came back around 4pm, then immediately had to make ourselves and early diner so we have time to prepare ourselves for Molly vs. Ghana in the South African Cup! Molly won! It was such a great time, except for the rain, but we didn’t let it hold us back!

Today, being Sunday means its Market day! Where I have been wanting to go to SO, SO,SO bad!!! The day is finally here! Can’t wait to get some really cool things and something to spice up my empty room with! It just sucks because we always have to factor in “will this fit in our suitcase?” when buying things.

Ø Snails are everywhere. I can’t tell you how many I’ve accidently crushed, T.I.A.

Ø Avocados are extremely cheap, and the size of grapefruits.

Ø We always get stared at, mainly by South African girls, when we walk somewhere…WE CAN SEE YOU TOO!

Hope you all are doing wonderfully! Much love!!!!

TIA #2

2/07/2013

Wow, what a great week! So today is already Thursday, how time flies when you’re having fun, which means its Ladies’ Night at Barneys!!!!! And a pregame before at one of the Germans houses down the road.  Last night I finally decided to trade alcohol in for a movie, Harry Potter in fact! Me, Hayley, and Katrina stuffed our mattresses into Martins room and had a little sleep over.

 Tuesday was karaoke night at Captains! SO MUCH FUN!! But first a group of about 15 of us went out to eat at Cabañas! (My new favorite restaurant on earth!) We definitely wined and dined two drinks, two hookahs, one shot, and a meal all for 10 bucks a piece!! I can totally get used to that kind of living! And Cabañas is considered one of PE’s “superior” restaurants; they have bouncers, a pool with a bar, and even a dress code to get in! Crazy beautiful!!! Then we came back to Annie’s (home) and pregamed with the French, then off to Captains! I love the fact that there is no cover charge at so places, even for the boys! The played awesome music and the upstairs was a very nice hip-hop lounge! I did well for myself.

But of course, I’m here to study and my first orientation classes have begun this week. Some have been pretty helpful and others not so much. But unfortunately attendance here is EXTREMELY important and student have to be dead silent. Hahah…Hayley accidently burped really loud and we all giggled and the speaker called Hayley out and was fussing to her in front of the whole class. No joke, it was awkward.

But today I ran a marathon all over campus to get my classes in order and they still aren’t registered, TIA. L Anyways, suppose its time for me to start drying my hair!

T.I.A. #1

I’ve been living in South Africa in a week and I already feel more grounded than ever before. A majestically wicked and wildly colorful wonderland is what I awake to every morning. I am so surprised how bits and pieces of South Africa’s land reminds me of Ireland, The States, and even China; shows just how naïve “Us Americans” truly are.

My first night at Annies cove consisted of a crazy time at the Frenchies and then to ladies’ night at some club, which guys aren’t creepy at all here…unless a rando spikes your drink, but generally you’re in for a good time. Got a few things checked off the bucket list. Then the next morning we went Tsitsikamma Falls for a weekend orientation. The scenery & excitement was in every motion. We went on a waterfall zip-line tour on the Garden Route! Then in free time we went swimming near the waterfall and did some mini compression jump, but in coffee colored water with eels murking at the bottom, took me a while to ignore that. But we also had an awesome African drum lesson, a “hike,” and a few small lecture sessions. We slept on extremly  small cots in extremly crowded rooms!  But a great family nearby cooked us delicious African meals. One of the spectacular things we did was just lying outside on our towels at night looking up at the stars. They are unreal and seem at arm’s width.

Then, after orientation weekend we have ‘real’ orientation at the school. We’re on the second day now; I don’t start until 2p.m. today so I finally had a chance to sleep in!! I finally feel adjusted to the new time zone, except when I try to make phone calls to my Mom. I hate when I just want to call her to tell her about something awesome and then I realize it’s like 3 in the morning. L  Hopefully by next week I’ll have internet at home! Africans make so much fun of the Americans because we think “internet is more important than water.” Oh well. I love that everyone here is always up for seeing things and exploring and traveling as much as possible! I already have made some new best friends! Told you not to worry, Mom! Hahah and shell be proud to know that I’ve already been to the liquor store 3 times! There is a massive amout of people from Minnosota and Germany here and I’m THE ONLY southerner, lucky me!

 I already feel so relaxed and comfortable, but let’s get real…I’m living the dream.  A few things that are completely T.I.A. (This Is Africa)...

v  You never worry about having water for showers

v  NEVER leave food out for more than 15 minutes or it will be drenched in a million ants

v  A.C. is a thing of the past

v  Chicago has nothing on PE for being a ‘windy city’

v  Night and day have complete opposite temperatures

v  Most international students can speak their native tongue, English, and another of interest….makes me feel small.

v  Taxi drivers will go to the end of the world to help you find/ do something out. My new friend Pang walked me into the bank and told the cashier not to ‘fuck around’ with us, he is a main attraction of South Africa.

v  Alcohol= Water for the Germans and Frenchies. Also, alcohol costs about the same as expensive water here!

v   African time is relevant to turtle time.

v  The food is so erotically different, I love it! Haven’t got sick yet, thanks to a large typhoid shot!

v  Annies Cove, where I live is perfect. Feels like freshman dorm again, so easy to meet everyone. But, my room is twice as big!

v  Bronzer becomes cover up in about 2 days.

v  There are these white fans that we refer to as the “Mexican Taxis” because they will pack you in until there isn’t a square inch left. There’s a driver and another guy who sicks his head out the window screaming at people “Town! Town!” I think they’re so much fun..but only during the day, not the night! And it only costs 8 rand, which is a dollar!

v  Sunscreen is your new best friend. Anywhere the sun touches you’re skin, you will be marked.

v  I am in love with this place.