Too much to do, too little time

Hi all! I finally have internet in my room so I am able to Skype and blog now.  Unfortunately, my memory card reader is not working in my computer so most pictures will soon follow.

I am living in a "flat" with two other girls that are amazing.  They are both American as well, one from DC and one from Philly.  We all get along super well and it could have not worked out better.  I tried laundry for my first time today and was surprised to see that when I went down to the laundry room that someone was there to do it all for me.  She actually does all of my laundry and folds it... I'm never leaving.  Feeding myself has been interesting.  I have been living off of tomatoes, spinach, humus, and pitas.  I can't really complain though, and I am slowly learning how to cook.  I am really missing my Mom and my cook at Chi Omega though...

Last week was super busy.  We started the week by climbing, or attempting to climb, Table Mountain.  Table Mountain is in Cape Town and is about a 3 hour hike of super steep rocks and its awful.  I ended up going back down and taking the cable car up.  Why didn't we take the cable car up to begin with?  Everyone was saying that the views were worth the hike up, which they were, but I saw the same ones after I got up there by cable car.  Anyways, Cape Town is gorgeous and a few girls and I plan on going there this week to do some much needed shopping! Good news (Mom and Dad), things are super cheap here, everywhere we go!!! It is kind of super awesome! We also went to the beach last week.  Even though I would have not gotten in the water if this were not an issue, but, you had to be careful when going in the water because in these beautiful, bright, clear blue, waters were Great White Sharks.  It has something to do with the cold and warm waters coming together from one Ocean and some other Ocean... Geography is not my strongest subject.  The beach was awesome and super windy.  The winds were like 40 mph and the people told us that it was not even very windy that day.  Needless to say, I feel like I am right back home in Pullman here because it is always so windy.  It has also only rained once here and it was during the evening.  Every other day has been super hot and no clouds in the sky.

We have found the nightlife too and discovered all the bars.  We now have our favorites and are meeting tons of people.  Apparently everyone loves Americans here.  I'm fine with that, except tourists tend to take pictures of us which is super awkward.  The food here is very similar to back home, only better, more flavor, and much cheaper.  There is a large group of French boys that lives here in our complex and they cooked for us last night.  It was amazing.  I want to go to France next if all of the food tastes like that!

Look back soon to see if there are any pictures up.  I am going to try and get a new memory card reader tomorrow so I will upload them soon!  They are kind of amazing pictures!

 This is a picture of the signs that were all over the place at the beach warning us of the sharks.

This is what we see outside of Stellenbosch on the way to the beach.  This is why I am here, there are vineyards everywhere you drive and look.  The mountains are everywhere as well and when I look out my window in my room I see them in extreme clarity. 

Rachel, a girl from my program, and myself at the beach.  (representing America, as always)

My address:

Kaitlyn Carpenter
Concordia A210
Bosman Street
Stellenbosch
7600
South Africa

Send me snail mail!
Xx,
Katie

I'm in the land of the lions!

Hi all!  I am officially here in South Africa settled at my school in my room!  I have my own room with a bathroom and a tub, which I have flooded already.  I have a kitchen and a little sitting area and then three other "flatmates" that are not here yet.  I am all unpacked and surprisingly, everything fits well.  The flight was a little rough and even with my sleeping pills I only got about 5 hours of sleep.  I am exhausted but am attempting to stay awake until the normal sleeping time here.  I will post pictures as well when I get time, but I have no Internet currently and am at an Internet Cafe!!  Look back to hear from me soon!

Xx,
kCl

Packing for a year...

I leave for South Africa in 5 days and today is filled with packing. My Mother is cracking the whip and not letting me take much clothing, for obvious reasons. I am having a hard time parting with almost all of my closet, but I will have a whole closet of "new" clothes when I return in December. Here is my Mother's "methodic" packing:
 

I am getting more excited to leave, but nervous for the long flight and the fact that I will be gone for 1 year. Today I got some South African money from the bank, called Rand, so I don't have to immediately exchange money when I get there. Is it weird that I think the money is pretty? There are different exotic animals on each bill. Getting this money is making it seem more real.

  I guess the fact that I did not return to Pullman this past weekend when everyone else did, too, made it seem real as well. I will sure miss the Promise Land this year, but for some reason I think Africa will be more interesting than Pullman, WA. I hope I survive the 18 hour flight to South Africa!!

Pray for safe travels for me!

Xx

kCl