Katrina's first impressions and excitement for all Cape Town can teach her

My first flight overseas was probably a little longer than I was prepared for. 16 hours on one plane was definitely an experience to add to the books, but hey I survived right? The adrenaline and excitement of finally saying goodbye and meeting up with the 25 other equally excited UConn students got me through the first few hours before it really began to sink in that there was no turning back, so for better or for worse South Africa here I came! At about 2 PM, sun shining bright in the sky, the airline suddenly decided it’s time for us to get used to the time change (7hrs), so they shut all the window shades and lights off and all of the sudden it was 9 PM and nighttime. From then on time and perception was a blur, as you continually shifted between American and South African time. Luckily the airline had quite the selection of movies, so a shoutout to The Notebook for keeping my sanity around 4 am. 

           

After what seemed like an endless night of tossing, turning and bathroom breaks, Manuela (my lucky plane buddy) and I took a peak out the window for the first time. The sun came streaming through and we got our first look at the African sunrise and almost simultaneously I forgot how long the plane ride was. Unfortunately, despite sprinting through the Johannesburg airport with carry-ons and two full luggage suitcases a piece, we still missed our next flight. And before you knew it you had 26 hopelessly lost students from America trying to figure out how to get to Cape Town, while splitting up in every direction with no money or means of communication. I still don’t know how but we managed to get every last one of us (even Ken’s two surf boards) safely onto a connecting flight to the place we’d call home for the next 3 ½ months.

           

The moment we saw our first glimpse of Table Mountain and the beautiful city of Cape Town from the plane window my mind was blown.  I’d seen the exact picture online or on video so many times before, but nothing can describe how mighty and beautiful it truly is. The next few days I was still in shock. It seemed like every turn in our large coach bus revealed the most beautiful scene I’d ever laid eyes on, every restaurant had some new treasure I’d never tried before (why had I never had sushi before…..) and the fun of living in a house with my new family of fellow students seemed unreal.

           

Katrina

Our 2 week orientation started the moment we stepped off the bus, with no time to wait around for jet-lag. We quickly learned that Cape Town time is not strict, and going out to dinner could easily be a 5 hour affair. On our first full day we got the amazing chance to see a soccer match, South Africa vs Mali. Immediately we were immersed in the vibrance of the city, of the people, even of the colors. Looking around Cape Town seemed almost too good to be true. Never before in my life have I felt so ALIVE. Exhausted, but alive. In the two weeks following of orientation, jam packed with every tourist location, famous restaurant and insider views of Cape Town, my feeling towards Cape Town have only grown stronger. From the buzz of the city to the heart and soul in the townships I’m so excited for everything this place has to teach me, and if I’m lucky, will become a part of who I am forever.