Caitlin is ready to see what life brings during her time in Cape Town

I've really been enjoying orientation and being exposed to different aspects of Cape Town. The landscape is gorgeous and I can't wait to go hiking and check out the many beaches in the area. I especially want to hike Table Mountain and see what's on top! I've also been trying lots of new food, and I was surprised at the prevalence of Indian food here in Cape Town. I love the music that you can find all over the city- we've been to several jazz restaurants so far, and I like how the music brings people together. We also have learned about the area's history by visiting the District Six Museum and the Slave Lodge. The impact of South Africa's history is still so visible today, and so things that we learned there have been really relevant to understanding the city as a whole. 

The past week and a half has helped me become more comfortable with little things like using the currency and understanding local slang. Through our tour of the townships I also experienced a different side of Cape Town than the one in which we live. The economic inequality here is visible and striking, and can be seen most readily when you compare the large houses and expensive waterfront shopping malls with the informal settlements that lie farther from the mountain. I'm excited to be interning in one of the poorest communities because I hope to gain an understanding of what life is like for the majority of people living here. I've found that overall people here are quite friendly and like to talk, and are more comfortable talking about topics that people shy away from in the US, like race and politics. Today we visited the different places where our classmates will be interning, and it was great to be exposed to so many organizations that are doing so much good in the community- it made me hopeful about the future and excited to start my own internship. As I look forward to our first classes on Thursday and internships on Monday I'm ready to see what life brings in the next three months!

 

Dani & Caitlin at Cape Point