Stay in the STARS

So much to say, so much I'm feeling. I'm going HOME today, at least I think I am. But the world feels like home now, the 32 magical people I've spent the past 4 months with feel like home, the families I've met feel like home, the universe and the stars feel like home. I feel so supported. It's incredible.

We spent the last few days in High Africa, a camp-type place, for our retreat and final destination. It's been such a beautiful experience to be able to spend 3 days in nature with amazing people and closing this trip on a perfect note. We did a bunch of team/self building activities like high ropes courses, leaps of faith, etc. I did them all YAY (biceps are on point lately) We had a final talent show, and I've never smiled or laughed so much in my life.

Yesterday we talked about what we want to remember most from this semester... Such a heavy question and I don't even think it's something that can be explained or written down, but I've come up with a semi list (I love lists) of things that is a compilation of my peers and my thoughts/things I want to remember/feelings/everything. Here goes:

- How much I want to do on this planet
- Patience and understanding
- Where the power in this world lies and how unfair it is
- What privilege is and feels like
- We all bleed red
- Beauty exists despite suffering
- The power of perceived identity
- Small changes = BIG impact
- Represent your country don't let it represent you
- What being a woman in male dominated cultures feels like
- Everyone has a story that needs to be heard
- How to chill/relax
- How to access my emotions and my own feelings in the midst of chaos
- Stability can be found in instability
- How to breathe, really really breathe
- That feeling of receiving love from a complete stranger
- The feeling of being so supported by my friends and family from home. THANK YOU SO MUCH. It has meant the world to me.
- What it feels like to romp around the world with a partner in crime (hi holly)
- Every single moment with my BEAUTIFUL new friends. All of us are so different and it comes together like the most perfect mixture. I am so so so thankful for the stars and moons that aligned to bring these 32 superstars into my life.
- Friendship is sitting around in a circle with cups of tea, wearing the same clothes we've worn for 4 months, telling our worst pooping stories. That's what it's all about.
- Being a part of something bigger, the universe.
- The feeling of being in the stars. Whatever that means, I felt it the other night and it was magical. I sound crazy but one day (if not already) you'll all feel it too.

I'm going to miss this trip and the people so much, it's hitting me hard right now. But we have something together that is irreplaceable and indescribable and that will keep us connected even if communication is minimal.

"I just feel like I've seen in this group the best that life has to offer." -Karen Straight (one of our traveling faculty) I couldn't agree more.

I'm not sure how you bring a trip like this to an end, actually I don't think it does end. It goes on, the journ-E continues, feet on the ground, but staying in the stars.

Can't wait to share all of my experiences with you all. Until next time!
All my love,
XO
E

What makes South Africa...South Africa

This is it, the last time I'll be doing this. South Africa has been life changing and inspiring and a once in a life time experience. I said bye to my host family on Monday morning and it was so so difficult this time around for many reasons. I'm going to miss SA and Cape town and the Bo Kaap so much.

It takes a lot of words and years of travel and living to be able to describe this country and my experience here. Currently on the bus back from Worcester and I feel inspired so here it is, what makes SA...SA (for me, right now):

- Apartheid, it's everywhere
- HIV/rape/inequality/injustice/death
- Simon's Town
- Penguins
- Weet-bix/jungle oats for breakfast
- Zwelethemba, home.
- Olga Macingwane, my mama
- Church experience in ZW
- Biking through Worcester wine country
- Xhosa
- Afrikaans
- "Lekker!" "Howzit?" "Now now" "Shame man."
- Townships
- Table Mountain - unreal view
- Lion's Head (and the friends we made at the top)
- Cape Point - Cape of Good Hope
- Old Biscuit Mill - most amazing artisan/farmer's market that happens on Woodstock every Saturday. It's heavenly.
- Long Street
- Amazing beaches right next to mountains
- The Bo Kaap community
- Cape Malay food
- Spice Market
- Salwa, my crazy/amazing Bo Kaap host mama
- Ziyaad - the little bugger
- Mzoli's in Gugulethu township - Sunday funday redefined.
- High Africa - retreat camp
- Smiles, celebration of life, heart and soul in everything
- Sound of drums
- Music everywhere
- Beautiful sunrises/sunsets
- Roiboos tea all day, everyday
- SO much beauty
- Unbelievably inspiring guest lecturers
- Story-telling culture - don't hold anything back
- HIV/AIDS seems so casual. It's not.
- Danger and crime. What's driving it?
- Coming full circle and feeling so connected as an IHP group
- NATURE

I have this weird feeling that I could have a future in South Africa. Who knows? Leaving this place so soon, stay tuned for a final blog tomorrow. Kinda scared to see what comes out in that one. So many emotions.

XO
E

Cape Town Living

About a week ago we moved into the Bo Kaap, a predominantly Muslim neighborhood in Cape Town known for its colorful houses. Salwa, Ziyaad, and Rakhana are my new, crazy, wacky, all over the place, homestay family. They have made my Cape Town experience one of a kind. They bicker and argue about who left the empty milk carton in the fridge, and it makes me feel at home. Ziyaad is my 16 year old “too cool for school” host brother, Rakhana is my 24 year old host sister and Salwa is my amazing, sassy host mom. She cooks phenomenal Cape Malay curries for us and supplies me with endless amounts of tea. She has been through so much in her lifetime and hearing her stories has been so inspiring.

She was married and had her first child at the age of 19 and divorced her husband 6 years ago at the age of 38 when he chose to take a second wife.  She has fought hard for everything she has, and has provided her two children with the most wonderful lives and hasn’t let her experiences turn her into a bitter or unhappy woman. She is inspired, empowered, and beautiful.

“I do my own crazy, silly, stupid thing. And I don’t answer to anybody.”

“I don’t share my men, I don’t care if it’s in my religion.”

“I still believe in love at my age. Can you believe that?”

“Love is about PILLOW FIGHTS.” – my favorite Salwa quote

South Africa is GORGEOUS. Everywhere you look there is something beautiful. The mountains, ocean, people, music, it’s so much to take in. Everything is picturesque. HOW is this a country torn apart by crime, disease, and inequality?

Of all the cities we’ve travelled to this semester, Cape Town is definitely the most “outdoorsy”. A group of us hiked for two hours to the top of Table Mountain and saw the most beautiful view of what felt like the whole world. Holly and I hiked Lion’s Head a few days later for sunset, ate vegan chocolate and met two amazing human beings who helped us hike down. Yesterday our whole group took a tour to Cape Point where we explored the southern most tip of the continent of Africa. NOTHING can compare to that view. INCREDIBLE.

Only 8 days left in South Africa. I can’t believe how far I’ve come. My life is crazy, how did I end up here? Yesterday as I laid on my friend Steph’s roof and stared up into the clear blue sky I thought, what if I never came on this trip? I’m not really sure what I’m going to do with everything I’ve learned in the past four months, but it’s going to be good. WATCH OUT WORLD. 

Sad to leave my friends and family here, excited to see my friends and family at home. So soon. AHHHH

XO
E

Colorful homes of the Bo Kaap

Sunrise view from my window every morning

View on the way up Table Mountain

Top of Table Mountain

Lion's Head sunset

HI Cape of Good Hope