Day 7

8:50 PM
Cape Town, ZA

Our morning started out bright and early heading up through the mountains to go whale watching. The drive was beautiful, but scary at the same time! The view was amazing (again, sorry you all have to wait to see the pictures!). At one point in the drive, we were stopped due to "monkey crossing" when a family of about 15 baboons crossed the road in front of us. It was definetly a first time experience for Katie and me! The male baboons were huge, and the female had a baby on her back, and about 10 other little ones playing and running behind. It was awesome! We drove to the ocean to go whale watching, and stopped at several places on the way. It was freezing, but we managed to see a lot more whales than are usually present! At one point there were about 10 whales in the bay. July and August are the months when the female whales try to find a spot near the bay to give birth (a process which takes 2 weeks, ouch...). August is usually the month when the birthing process actually takes place, so we got really lucky! After stopping for a hot chocolate, which turned out to be just hot milk, but all the same with freezing hands (yes, it was this cold), we stopped at another favorite point of Andrew's. We had to hike up some large rocks to get closer, but we saw many whales very very close to the shore here and also a new baby whale. They would blow their spouts and roll over! It was incredible to sit and watch these massive creatures. Right before we were about to leave, a huge wave came and engulfed us from the rock we were sitting on. Luckily by this time it was much warmer, but we were drenched in saltwater. It was quite the experience!
We continued driving through the mountains down into 'Wine Country' where we visited two wineries that were fabulous. I bought a bottle of my favorite, so if anyone would like to try some, let me know when I get home! The views from both wineries were amazing.
From the wineries, we drove to a small local deli for a cheese tasting. Katie and I had hinted that we both love cheese and both had really enjoyed what South African cheese we'd tasted so far. We tasted 4 delicious cheeses, most of which I wish would survive a 37 hour trip home Thursday and Friday! Wish I could bring these back for everyone to taste as well!

This place is incredibly beautiful, and I wish you all were here to enjoy it with us.

Missing everyone, and see you soon!
K

Day 6

9:24 pm
Cape Town, ZA

What a day! I'm almost two exhausted to write, which is bad considering Katie and I will be getting up at 6 am for another exciting day! We started out the day going down to Victoria Port, which is right on the Atlantic Ocean and the main port for Cape Town. There we walked around and went in the little shops. After that we drove to a local meat restaurant in a Township (where you're not supposed to go haha) and ate with the locals. It was amazing! You walked into this little butcher shop type area, picked out what kind of meat you wanted, and then watched them cut it and season it, and throw it on the fire right in front of you. Not only was it the best meat I've ever had, but it was an awesome experience as well. They don't sell beverages, but the local people have started selling bottles of beer from their homes. Shortly after finishing our huge meals, a local came over and asked us to join their party a few tables down. There were about 15-20 local people our age that worked together at an Italian restaurant in town out celebrating the day off (for Women's Day, a national holiday!). They were drinking heavily, but we decided to join them anyway. They were a really fun group, and it was nice to be around some locals our age, although I probably poured 4 tequila shots on the ground. Not much for drinking tequila at 2pm! Katie and I witnessed our first crack snorting, which creeps me out completely, and the girl tried to cover it up after noticing Katie and me looking at her like she was crazy with "It's nothing, just for a headache!" Right... Shortly after Katie and I decided to leave. Andrew took us back to the hostel, where we decided to do some exploring on our own. We walked several blocks to the local market, where locals sell African goods. We used our AWESOME bargaining skills to get some great deals :) After that we decided to talk a few more miles, well... many more miles! back to the pier to watch the sun set and eat some dinner. The sun set was beautiful! We grabbed some pasta, which was also delicious, and headed home (by cab, don't worry...!) We have a big day tomorrow, so I'm headed to bed. I'll add pictures once I get home, but because I'm using a public computer this is impossible at the moment. Sorry, I really wish you all could see the beautiful things I'm seeing while reading this! It's an incredible city.

Much love,
K

Day 5-Day 6

8:00 am
Cape Town, South Africa!!

There is no wireless, so I'll be posting from a public computer in the common areas.

After an awesome flight yesterday (we got sandwhiches and wine on a 3 hour flight, South African airways sure beats anything in the States!) we were picked up by one of Katie's friends from the ERs friend Andrew. He is Australian, and owns a hostel in Cape Town, so we're staying there. He didn't take any bookings this week or tours, so he's our own personal tour guide! We're lucky! The sun was setting as we were driving to the hostel, and it was absolutely beautiful! I love Cape Town already! Once we got settled in last night we went to a local pub to celebrate one of Andrew's friends birthdays. I guess you were paid in South Africa to open a business around the time of the world cup, so his friend had a brand new pub that was small but nice. Katie and I had our first South African beer, which was actually very good! (I'm legal here, which makes it even better!) We also had our first South African jello shot, and some orange fruity shot, which may have been guava juice? But they passed as well! Haha.
Today it is freezing and raining. I've been told by friends back home that this is much better than the humidity you all are dealing with right now? I woke up shivering and to the sound of rain, also to the sound of some animal Katie and I think may be a monkey, but we'll find out for sure. We were supposed to hike Table Mountain this morning and take the cable car down, but due to the weather we changed our days and plans around a bit, and will be going to the markets this morning. For lunch we'll be going to a meat restaurant, which I'm sure Katie will love. At the restaurant, you chose the meat you want, and they prepare and take it off of the animal right in front of you and then barbecue it. Should be fun!

Miss and love everyone back home! Hope you're enjoying the heat ;)
K

Day 4

7:15 pm
Johannesburg, ZA

Coolest day by far today, and it definitely made up for all the other moments I've been not so happy with Joburg. I knew the day was going to be good when we actually got picked up on time. Well kind of, the driver called asking if it would be okay if we were picked up at 9 instead of 8:30 this morning. Katie and I were a little worried... but he showed up at exactly 9am. We headed out for the safari first, followed by Sterkfontein Caves, where the first human ancestors were discovered in the 60's (Mrs. Ples).

The safari was awesome. We drove around for about three hours, and saw many many animals- zebras, lots of lions, giraffes, antelope, wildebeest, springbok, cheetahs, and hyenas. It was amazing. The giraffes came up to us, and made me feel really short (not that that's hard...). At the end, there was an area where you could pet a lion cub. Katie and I may have gotten gnawed on a little, but it was so cute. We contemplated taking it home but decided that wouldn't go over very well... (haha.)
The caves were very interesting. It is thought that the ancient hominids were looking for water,fell in a hole that led to the cave, and died there. Their remains were found 4 million years later. There are still eexcavations going on today.

We realized we supported the drug habits of our tour guide today after noticing his one very long finger nail and a pot leaf necklace hanging on his rear view mirror...

Katie and I had beautiful weather, and a great last full day in Joburg. We fly out to Cape Town tomorrow afternoon, and I can't wait!

Hugs,
K

Day 3 continued.

8:40 pm
Johannesburg, ZA

Note to self: 15 minutes in Joburg time= 4 hours.

Yep, waited that long for a driver to pick me up. I was really frustrated and not a very happy camper this morning/afternoon. (Understatement). Joburg is apparently the type of city where you must take tours everywhere. It's not very tourist friendly, nor friendly towards the type of people like me who hate tours. I eventually got picked up by a young man in his car, which made me really really nervous, but even more nervous when he started talking about how he was going to drop me off at Constitution Hill to meet up with another driver. When we got there, I refused to leave the vehicle. He went to find the other tour guide, who had taken some other people from the Pediatrics Conference on the same tour. They both came over to get me as I sat completely frightened in the car. The tour was not what I signed up for, but I was just glad to be doing something other than sitting in the hotel.

Constitution Hill is an old prison as well as the present day High Court site. Gandhi and Nelson Mandela were both prisoners in this prison, so it was pretty interesting to see.
The High Court is much much smaller than ours, and is located in a beautiful building. Africans live by the saying "Underneath the trees," so everything in the building is centered around this. It's pretty spectacular. After this we drove to Soweto, a township built to answer the overpopulation outbreaks when gold was discovered in ZA. The township is hardly what I think of when I hear township (Hazel Green, WI anyone?). It does house Nelson Mandela's former home. The homes (including Mandela's) all look like one bedroom shacks. In Soweto is the soccer stadium where the final World Cup game was held. Our guide said he believes that once the hype of the World Cup blows over, the city will be dead again. The students in Joburg get out of school early on Fridays to remember the students that were killed while defending freedom. It's neat, they get to go to the museums and monuments and just hang out there. If they are really using these Fridays to celebrate their freedom and those who died for it, it's awesome. Otherwise, who wouldn't enjoy a half day of school every Friday?

Safari tomorrow and archaeological site, and after a rough night of sleep last night and a bad morning I could really use some catching up!
Love and miss you all,
K

Day 3 and still waiting.

10:30 am
Johannesburg, ZA

I've decided that time means nothing in South Africa, as in Costa Rica. We ran into this problem over winter break last year when Katie and I went to Costa Rica, but it's even worse here. I scheduled a bus to take me to Soweto and then to the Apartheid Museum and several other places in Joburg. They didn't call me last night with a pick up time, so I called this morning around 8 am. They said they would be there in 15 minutes, which meant I had no time to shower, but just enough time to look decent. I sat in the lobby for 45 minutes, until I could no longer stand the awkward conversation one of the male employees was putting me through. He was one of about 10 guys that has asked if Katie and I were twins during the 3 days we have been here. Every one of these men has told us that we must thank our parents for good genes. (Thanks Mom and Dad...) Katie and I discussed yesterday if maybe we should just start saying we are twins to save ourselves the trouble. Anyway, it seems like where ever in the world I go, foreign men have a fascination with American women and want to know everything about the States. I remember being 12 and walking the streets of Paris with my Mom and having men whistle at us. Keep in mind I haven't grown an inch since I was 12 and probably look pretty similar. Maybe? Haha. Anyway, when I get nervous I usually fidget with my ring, something my family has reminded me that my Grandma Egan once did. Weird how those little things get passed on huh? This man noticed I was doing this (which is also weird...few people notice I do this) and said, "Well you must feel nervous." YEP. To say the least. Ha. At this point I excused myself to call the bus company again for the 5th time, to get the same response of, "We'll be there in 15 minutes." The hotel staff has been very very nice and helpful, probably, again, because I am a young white American girl. But aside from that, even if Joburg residents can't tell time, at least they are friendly and helpful.

15 minutes= 3 hours in Joburg time.

Still waiting. Hopefully I'll get to leave the hotel room today!

K

Day 2

Day 2...
8:26 pm Johannesburg, ZA

Note to self: When the country drives on the left side of the road, it means you must walk on the left side too.

I'm not sure why I didn't remember this from London many years ago, but I realized it quickly after a trip to the Sandburg Mall, Africa's largest (and most expensive) shopping area. I ventured away from the convention center Katie was presenting at for a few hours and in the few hours I was gone probably got lost about 20 times. As soon as I found my way, I went back to the convention center, and note to my Mom and Cullen, you guys should be proud of me, I purchased no articles of clothing. :) Maybe I am learning!

Big day tomorrow seeing Soweto and the Apartheid museum, as well as much more of Joburg.

Night all,
K