Look to the Mountain to find your way back

It wasn’t until my last Wednesday in Southern Africa that I seriously thought about returning home and the thought “hey, maybe I am ready to be back” crossed my mind. Similar to the Joburg excursion, coming back to Cape Town after Victoria Falls felt like “coming home”. I spent my last 2 days walking familiar streets, going to restaurants frequently visited, and seeing the same beautiful Cape Town lights at night. On Saturday Andrew and Brenna ambitiously hiked up Table Mountain for the second time, but after Vic Falls I honestly couldn’t muster the energy to make it up all those steps in the summer heat. Instead, I decided to go up Lions Head, a smaller and much less demanding hike, but with a beautiful view of the city from the top as well. I actually relished in having some alone time at the top of a mountain to reflect on the past 3 months- how stereotypical, right?



No, I had no revelation or an epiphany about my life. Once I finally made it to the top I had to awkwardly sit next to 2 guys to get a sliver of shade and just relax, cooling down after sweating up a storm (tmi? Sorry.) An elder man actually asked me if I was from Durban (a city on the East Coast), which I know is based on the fact that a trillion Indians live there but I would like to think that I can fit in as a local Cape Townian…wearing a UNC t-shirt. After awhile I was able to think about things other than how hot it is outside, and moved directly into the sun in order to look over the edge, where the City Bowl is laid out before you. This may have contributed to my ridiculous chacos tan. I journaled a little. A quick excerpt:

“I still don’t understand study abroad. Maybe I have learned something that will eventually shape me. I sure hope so, but I don’t know what it is yet.”

So if you are wondering whether I have come back a changed person, there is your answer. I have, of course, learned a lot of small things that when put together turn into something substantial. And while I am aware that I may not be returning to South Africa for quite some time, I take heart in one of the 2010 World Cup posters in the Cape Town airport (yup, I am now finding inspiration in advertisements); Look to the mountain to find your way back.




But hey, if I wasn’t ready to come home when leaving the Cape Town airport, then there is nothing like a 7 hour delay at the Washington Dulles airport to have you restless to be back.

A few of the best moments of CapeTown09:

Bungee Jumping


Cape Point- surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, on the most beautiful day


Night at Gandalf's- a.k.a hot topic converted into a bar/dance floor


Hanging out with kids at the Red Cross Hospital-always an experience.


Any moment on the Hillcrest Porch


The clouds/sky in Southern Africa



Dance Parties/Room 2 (photo cred: Diana)


Girls Night at 91


Jumping in to the pool for the first time...in the rain. The pool was warmer than outside.


The day spent in the Khayelitsha Township


Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on Diwali- it doesn't get much more relaxed then this (photo cred: Diana)


Watching a baby being born


Moonlight Hike up Lions Head


Final Banquet Dinner with Prof Rode- he has the most fascinating stories (photo cred: Diana)


Sharkcage Diving, even though I was delirious (photo cred: Josiah)


Getting to the top of Table Mountain with the stunning views (photo cred: Diana)


Walking a few blocks in the middle of Cape Town with Archbishop Desmond Tutu (photo cred: Diana)


The entirety of the Victoria Falls Trip