Emily L realizing how much she's learned

Emily & Ricky at Aquila Game Reserve

This past week was exactly what I needed at the midpoint of this amazing adventure. As much as I absolutely love living with so many awesome people, being able to get away for a few days with my boyfriend was a great mental break. Sometimes living in a house with 16 other people can get a little nuts!! Ricky and I continued our adventures through Cape Town with more trips into the Company Gardens, Greenmarket Square, the Waterfront, and an amazing safari! That was probably what we had been looking forward to most. The safari really made me feel, once again, so far from home. It has always been a dream of mine to see elephants, and I freaked out when I saw my first one! What a moment. This past week I also celebrated my 21^st year of life! Spending my birthday in Cape Town was quite the experience; one I know I’ll never forget. It started off with a sunrise hike at Lion’s Head, then a trip to the Old Biscuit Mill (my new favorite food spot!), and a relaxing day by the pool. I feel like playing host to someone who had never been here was a great experience because I realized how much I have learned about this city since arriving back in January. Having to inform Ricky about certain locations and even some of the history behind them shocked me because I really wasn’t aware of how much I’ve truly learned. Saying goodbye was sad, but I’m very grateful for the experience we had here together. What’s even more saddening is that we’re over half way through this awesome program! Where has the time gone? I’m trying to take each day as it comes and enjoy every second of it, because it’s moving way too fast…