DAY THIRTY THREE:

We had class bright and early this morning. But instead of normal discussion or lecture, we had a poverty simulation. We were all divided into families with various descriptions, but all living in poverty.  We then had to go about the daily activities that the individuals we were portraying would complete, such as: going to work, the bank, the grocery store, paying bills, etc. We only had 15 minutes for each day and were faced with so many challenges to survive: crime, debt, violence, etc. Basically, the activity allowed us to experience a fraction of the emotions that people in these situations have every day. We could understand why people turn to crime to survive, why they are frustrated with their employers or bankers. You begin to feel helpless and thus in turn begin to expect others to help you. It really gave me a greater understanding of how people living in poverty are trapped in a cycle. It is very very difficult to escape. I used to think that maybe if the people just worked a little harder or stopped wasting their money on drugs than they would be fine. And, while that may be the case for some situations, the majority of families living in poverty are truly doing everything they can to work their way out of it. Poverty isn't just in the townships of South Africa, or even just Africa as a whole. Poverty exists in America, in my backyard at that: Athens-Clarke county being the poorest county in the nation based on population and per capita. After class, I had to do my journals for the week. Yes this is the last week here and it is the first week that I have completed my journals prior to the night before they are due. Quite the achievement I know! The paper due on Saturday on the other hand.... After I finished, we left for our sunset champagne cruise... aka the booze cruise twenty twelve. Unfortunately because there are so many of us, we couldn't all get organized and on the boat in time so we kinda missed the actual sunset haha. Oh and our champagne was served in styrofoam cups...But it was still so fun!! We got to see the city at night and table mountain in all its glory haha. We were only on the boat for about two hours. And, we saw a whale!!! After the booze cruise, we went back to the hotel to eat dinner and get ready to go out for yet another Global LEADer's birthday. Tiger Tiger here we come!!! (or if your spanish, as some of us were, el tigre tigre). No line this week!! WOOO! We literally take over that place, or really every place we go haha. 

Waterfront at sunset!!

Table Mountain.

Our boat!!

What was left of the sunset haha... still beautiful!!

Chelby's 21st!!!

DAY THIRTY TWO:

Finally got to go back to Sir Lowry's today!!! It's weird how familiar and comfortable it felt walking through the community again. Walking up the streets to Ms. Cheryl's, I was surprised that I knew exactly where I was going, which is such a new feeling for me!! As soon as we got to the door, Ms. Cheryl and Candy and Duncan greeted us like we were family finally returning home. Their love and openness is unreal! We got to spend a little bit of time with just our families before we all had to make our way back to the school to for the final celebration. There was a DJ stand set up and music was blaring and all the kids were dancing around, having the time of their lives. And they are good dancers too!! Once the celebration began, Global LEAD and the community alternated performing something for everyone that was there celebrating with us... songs, dances, etc. It was so fun seeing all the talent and the kids loved watching... and making fun of us! The celebration concluded with Ms. Cheryl thanking us for coming and helping her community. She is really such an amazing person! Eyes got a little watery here but this was just the beginning of a long goodbye. Kids you have never met before come up to you, hang on your legs, begging you not to leave, asking when you'll come back again. How do you tell a six year old that you're really not coming back...? Saying goodbye to Ms. Cheryl and Candy and Duncan and Kelly and Baby Courtney was hard. Somehow this family, so polar opposite to my own, became a family to me in such a short time. The last thing that Candy said to me was make sure you come back to see Courtney grown up. Literally my heart was breaking. And then I had to say goodbye to Sandrae... oh boy. Kinda tearing up just writing about it. She was attached to me, wouldn't let me put her down or her mom hold her. Finally I had to leave so I started telling her goodbye and she just starts sobbing.... as her mom seriously has to pry her arms from around my neck. So naturally, I start crying too and it turns into one big scene. It was awful! Once we were on the buses driving away, the moms and children were all lined up on both sides of the street waving goodbye to us; they were all crying too. Just thinking that I will probably never come back here, never see these people that made such a difference in my life is heartbreaking. It was a pretty silent bus ride back to the hotel. Once we got back, I had to change real fast to go to dinner at this place called Rick's. It's Joanna's favorite restaurant and evidently themed around the restaurant from Casablanca... I wouldn't know I've never seen it haha. But, it's decorated really cool and has Moroccan food. I don't think I've ever had Moroccan food but it was really good! I had this chicken that literally fell off the bone and couscous and vegetables in this spicy Moroccan sauce. After dinner I somehow got roped into going out...still not sure how that happened....But we went to Dubliner's and had a swell ole time so I'm glad I did! There were literally four of us that went out... on a Wednesday. FOUR out of 140.... when in Afreeekaaah!

The rasta performing his rap!

Ms. Cheryl

Candy!

Random adorable child!!!

SANDRAE!!!

Rick's! In case I haven't already mentioned this... they don't split checks in South Africa.... Imagine paying the bill... IT'S A PROCESS!!!

DAY THIRTY ONE:

Today was probably one of my favorite days here. For class this morning, we had guest speakers from the program Reading Rebels, which is probably one of the most amazing organizations I have ever heard about/been a part of. Basically, the objective of the program is to go into the worst schools in the country and find the worst criminals, the gang leaders, the individuals filled with hatred and disrespect, and pull them into the program. They ask them to read a book a month and in return they receive money. These kids, who are leaders but leading the masses in the wrong direction, are enticed by the money, so agree. The program has them read books about business, success stories, inspirational read that are relatable to these kids situations. Over time these aggressive, criminals kids begin to change. They stop fighting and start taking school seriously in hopes of achieving their dreams, as the characters in the books. It becomes less about the money and more about getting themselves out of their current situation. And yea, all this sounds awesome but how much of an affect could a book really have on a gang leader?? At least that's what I was thinking the whole time, but then we had the chance to hear from some of the students that are involved in the program, and their stories are amazing!!! They went from being in and out of jail, bullying, fighting, stealing, to getting good grades, becoming role models, getting scholarships to go get further schooling... all because of the affect a book had on them. I will never take reading for granted again. Through the money that I paid to go on the trip, Global LEAD is single handedly funding the Reading Rebels program in Sir Lowry's Pass... unbelievable. After class, I went to high tea in the Nelson Mandela Hotel. Which, honestly, was one of the coolest things that I have done all trip. I don't really know why; I guess because it is just something that I never imagined myself doing. The hotel was beautiful, like 10 stars. We got to sit in the sun room, overlooking the gardens. The afternoon tea included unlimited teas, coffee, and hot chocolate, and buffet (little sandwiches, quiches, fruit, and desserts on desserts)! SOOO many teas!!! It was really fun; we all felt so important! After high tea, we went to this restaurant called Bombay Bicycle; it had an awesome atmosphere with crazy decoration and hats. It was so fun! I was supposed to go out after but still a little sick so maybe tomorrow!

Tea is now being served!

Signature Nelson Mandela tea!

Typical Americans filling their plates the first time through the buffet line!

The view!!

Bombay Bicycle!!

Tried to capture the coolness but failed haha

DAY THIRTY:

It's hard to believe that I have spent an entire month of my life here. It has flown by way to quickly!! We had normal class this morning in the beach house, but all three groups were finally back together... all 152 of us... in the same room!! It was a tight squeeze but nice to see everyone again. Class today was about our individual vision statements, the kind of person we see ourselves being as we get older. But, of course, it can't just be a discussion; we have a paper due Saturday, our last day here!! After class, we had the rest of the day off. Unfortunately, I'm finally getting the Global LEAD sickness and spent the entire day in the bed with no voice :( But I rallied for dinner because we were going to Panchos.... MEXICAN FOOD!!!! AHHHH how I have missed it!! We may have gone a little crazy... 3 seven layer dips, two guacamoles, two salsas, and a queso... for 8 people haha. And that was just the appetizer. It was really the tour de panchos (only Bevin will get this haha)! Seriously the best guacamole, but the cheese dip was lacking. It's okay though cause they made up for it with the strawberry mango margaritas!! After dinner, I came back and went right to bed. Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow!!

On the way to Panchos :)

Largest burrito in the world. There were numerous to-go boxes involved!

DAY TWENTY NINE:

My days are getting so mixed up!! After four days off, I was so confused when my alarm went off for class... on Sunday of all days!! But this class was definitely worthwhile. We all loaded the buses and made our way to Cape of Good Hope. On the way we stopped at this place called Chapman's Bay, which, as usual, was breathtakingly beautiful. We were only there for a few minutes, to take pictures and absorb the amazing view. Then, it was back on the bus to finish the journey to Cape of Good Hope... or Hoop in Afrikaans... be impressed haha. We found out on the bus that Cape of Good Hope is actually not the southern-most tip of Africa as it is commonly known as. It is the southern most point of the Western coast though. I was kinda bummed about this though, not gonna lie. It's fine I'm still going to tell everyone that I went to the southern-most point...sounds cooler. Once we got to the Cape, it was a mad rush to take pictures of the sign. And, of course we had to take an enormous group picture haha. We are such tourists! Then, we had a while to explore the cape and climb on all the cliffs overlooking the shore. So beautiful... you really do feel like you are on top of the world here, or on the bottom I guess... I don't know. It was just gave me a really empowered feeling. After we all took our pictures...selfies included...we left the Cape of Good Hope and ventured to Cape Point just up the road, where we had lunch. While it had another unbelievable view, I was not a fan of the wild baboons that roamed around the grounds, and cafe!  Go ahead and add baboon to the list of animals I am irrationally terrified of... so far we have ostrich and baboons. But really, these things are frightening. There are workers that patrol the area with giant sticks juuuuust in case a wild baboon attacks you. One girl in our group was chased by own and was instructed to through her bag of chips at it. Needless to say, I ate on the bus. After we left Cape Point, we stopped by Boulder Beach, home of the African Penguin. That's right, Africa has penguins...that live on the beach. SO COOL! It was like real life happy feet. They are adorable!!!! Chelsey would have died of their cuteness. They are so little and just wobble around on their little feet ahhh so cute!! When we got home, we went out onto the beach outside our room and watched the sunset. I swear Africa has the best sunsets!! I crossed this little wave pool thing to go out on a sand bar to take pictures... the water was freezing!!!! The things I do to try and capture even a fraction of the beauty I see first hand. Erin and I were going to cook dinner when we got back but when we opened our bag of uncooked pasta, there were bugs in... yes bugs!!! I do not do bugs. So of course I didn't eat it and Erin did.... gross!!! I had humus and pita and then was convinced to go out... on a Sunday.... when in Africa!! The bars were PACKED!!! Africans are crazy I tell ya. I tried limoncello for the first time and now I'm kinda curious about Mr. Natalino's.... We went to Camps Bay to this outdoor restaurant that turns into a bar at night. It was pretty cool. We ended up meeting these guys that were in the VIP section and from Georgia. Goes without saying that it was a good night from then on haha. So unbelievably sad that this is the start of my last week here. It has truly been the best month!!

Chapman's Bay

We made it to the coast!!!!

RUNNNNNNNN!!!

Slightly alarming...sorry chelsey! 

SO CUTE!!

LOOK AT ALL OF THEM AND THEIR CUTENESS!!

DAY TWENTY EIGHT:

No more lazy mornings this trip!! We were up bright and early to go to Old Biscuit Mill. Seriously obsessed with this place! I got the eggs benedict again because it's just so dang good!! After breakfast, we walked around some of the shops around the mill. They have all this cool jewelry and art... stuff i could never afford but still fun to look at! After we shopped around we got lunch from the Old Biscuit Mill to-go. They have this amazing station called Pesto Princess with the best... like best ever... pesto. But, you can get sandwiches too. You pick your bread and then they put pesto, tomato spread, humus, balsamic, and like fifteen other different sauces on it. Then you pick whatever toppings you want... like: chicken, egg plant, pickles, sun dried tomatoes, olives, avocado, cheese. Basically anything imaginable. Literally best sandwich of my life. I will bring Pesto Princess to America!! After we got our sandwiches, we took them to long street, which was an experience to say the least. As soon as we get out the cab, this man comes up to us and says and I quote: "Come on over bitches, you're on long street now." Oh dear lord. Where are we?? But this strip has really cute boutiques, so we stuck around for awhile, shopping and eating our yummy sandwiches. There were gates in front of all the doors,so to get you had to be buzzed in and buzzed out. These shops were fanncccccyyy. The place I bought my purse served champagne and truffles..... It was just such a contrast of wealth on the same street....unreal. We were approached numerous times by people asking for money and food, which is just so hard to begin with but even more so when they see us leaving these expensive boutiques with purchases... AND our Pesto Princesses. Awkward doesn't even begin to cover it. After long street we walked over to the Green Market. This group of young girls was having this performance in the square so we watched that as we waited for our cab to come get us. They had these clothes wrapped around their ankles that had tops of soda cans attached to them, so when they stomped their feet, they made this cool sound. They were so good and SO young!!! But, I cannot imagine doing that ALL day... they must have awesome leg muscles! When we got back to the hotel, I had to frantically finish my paper and thank god I did... probably not my best work but when in Africa.... Once I finished my paper, we went to Canal Walk for dinner and to get groceries. We had dinner at this taco mac esq place that had awesome burgers!! Our normal taxi drivers were off, so we had this new guy... NOT THE SAME!!! I missed our drivers and am seriously going to have withdrawals when we leave!! Tonight was the pub crawl, but my liver had enough from the last week, so I stayed in and finished my paper and slept haha. But when we got back from dinner, our cab drivers were all back and asking me why I wasn't going with them. I tried to explain the whole liver and paper thing but they were just not having it. Lance looks at me, completely serious, and goes: "the paper has to be five pages right?" yes, that's right Lance. "Well Kaylee let me help you out... one word per page: eat sh** and f**k you." LANCE?!?! Hahaha he is so funny!! Unfortunately, I couldn't do that but he did make me have a beer in the parking lot with him haha. 

DAY TWENTY SEVEN:

Lazy day!!! Class was canceled today because we were going to go to Cape Point but it was supposed to rain. So we had the whole day free! Good thing though cause I think the entire group had a late night.... I spent the day finally starting the paper that's due Sunday haha oops. Of course Erin was done with it like last week! The writing process was interrupted by several facebook breaks, naps, and a last minute decision to go to Camps Bay to shop around, watch the sunset, and get dinner. I am only in Africa once. I am not about to spend my nights stuck in a hotel room working. I learned I am not really fond of the whole studying part of the study abroad haha. So, a group of us went to Camps Bay. I bought a sweat shirt and some post cards, and then we walked on the beach. The waves here are HUGE! It may have something to do with the hurricane like weather from the previous day haha. After the beach we went to this place by the water for dinner. It was a primarily seafood restaurant so I struggled a little bit. But, I ended up getting this really good vegetable pasta and greek salad so I was satisfied! After dinner, I had to actually work on my paper and not just waste my night saying I'm doing it. I managed to get halfway done before I gave up for the night and hung out with people. This is my last week here! You can't blame me!! CANNOT WAIT FOR OLD BISCUIT MILL TOMORROW!!

Not real life.

Camps Bay!!