Back in Cape Town

I've had quite an adventure traveling around Southern Africa. This trip included Zimbabwe, a stop in Botswana, and Namibia. I had an absolute blast and (as always) learned a lot from the experience. Over the next few days I will be blogging and adding pictures about my experiences. Blogs to come: world cup game experiences, Zimbabwe/Vic Falls, Sandboarding and School Visit in Namibia, Traveling stories, Public Transport in Southern Africa (including hitchhiking), and other super fun updates! Get excited!

Also, next week I start my second semester of classes and will also begin tutoring. I was selected to tutor first year International Politics -- and I'm so excited about it! :)

Zimbabwe

Sarah and I got to Zimbabwe a few days ago and are having an absolute blast. I guess this is one of the places you're warned about going and a bit nervous about because of the media portrayal. Every preconception I had has been absolutely eliminated since being here. I have not felt unsafe in the least and have only been met by friendly people willing to help in any way they can. We had lunch with some guys at the bus stop in Bulawayo before coming to Victoria Falls and a very interesting conversation. We walked over to a stand that was selling pap (kind of like grits and eaten very frequently in SA and Zim) and some meat. Instead of buying, some men invited us to eat with them (with our hands, after they were washed of course) and we had a lovely conversation. They also looked after us and made sure that we got on the correct bus to Vic Falls and had good seats! :)

We got to Victoria Falls yesterday and saw the falls this morning -- absolutely stunning. So beautiful.

Last note - the night sky in Zimbabwe is probably one of the most stunning things I've ever seen in my life -- so so beautiful! I've never seen the milky way so clear or so many stars at once!

Vic Falls, here I come!

So I haven't been back in Cape Town too long, but I've decided to take full advantage of my break from school (which is only two more weeks) and head out to Victoria Falls. I am so excited about going there-- i've been wanting to do it since I got here. My friend Sarah Harvey from CofC has been visiting during the World Cup and we decided to take a trip north and explore more of the region. We are flying to Johannesburg and then taking a bus through Zimbabwe to Victoria Falls. I think we may also get down into Botswana to go to the Chobe Game Reserve. I'm very excited about it and look forward to sharing lots of pictures and stories... from this trip and my last one! :)