All Aboard

Hello again,

I don't really have a lot of exciting stuff to talk about. But something scary did happen to me on the train this morning. Apparently there are three different class compartments on the train. I normally ride in the first class compartment, but this train did not have one. I accidently ended up riding in the third class compartment. All I can say is whoops, and that will definitely never happen again.The train compartment was packed and I was standing close to the door because my stop was coming up. I had my backpack in front of me and my arm was over the pocket that had my wallet and phone inside of it. As I was getting ready to get off I looked and a giant scary man had opened one of my pockets and had his hand inside of it!!!! Luckily this pocket had nothing valuable in it.. but still I felt very frightened and violated. I pushed his hand away, closed the pocket and got off the train. The entire walk to work I was afraid this man might be following me. I was walking very fast and stuck with a group of people. Tomorrow I will be purchasing pepper spray.

I was looking at photos of all the snow in Lake Tahoe, I also have been reading people's Facebook statuses which have been full of skiing and snowboarding updates. I am currently sitting in my office sweating. I am feeling a bit homesick and reading about my friends powder skiing certainly does not help. So please, out of consideration can you talk about how crappy the snow is and how you did not have a good time on the mountain. Thanks, I appreciate it. If you keep it up, I might just have to talk about how warm it is here, how tan everyone is and how much I enjoy spending time on the beach drinking cocktails. :)

On Friday night I went to a local high school's performance. My friend Mel (an alumni of the high school) was asked to play a few acoustic songs in it. It was awesome! I don't remember having that many talented people all coming from my high school (no offense guys). I really think that they put something in their water. Some of those girls are definitely going to make it big. What made it even better for me was listening to everyone sing broadway songs with a South African accent. Haha.. I think I am the only person in the audience that found the show even better because of it, being that I was probably the only person watching without a South African accent. :)

Here is a travel tip. If you are feeling homesick do not.. I repeat.. DO NOT lie on your bed, in the dark and look at photos of what your friends are doing without you at home. You might find yourself sending soppy "I miss you soooo much" messages. Not that there is anything wrong with that... cough.. for anyone who recieved one.. cough. Instead, look at photos of fun times that you and your friends (and family) have had.

Lots of love,

HP

Here is the link for the Twitter updated shark attack. The person did not survive, they found the other half of his body in the water. I wont be swimming anytime soon.

http://unscrambled.wordpress.com/2010/01/12/witness-tweets-shark-attack-as-it-happens/

A few more photos of my friends...

This was taken at my first South African Braai (BBQ)

This was taken at friends birthday party.. even the men were wearing dresses.

Happy New Year!! I hope that your 2010 is filled with love and adventure.

NEW!!!!!

Hi Y'all,

Yeah.. it's been a while. I know.. I've been a bad blogger. I apologize.

Sooooo.... where to begin? I have had the last 3 weeks off of work so I have been filling up my days with fun activities such as: lying by the pool, going to the beach, doing touristy things, running, theme parks, boat rides, hunting penguins, etc. I start at the Sports Science Institute again on the 14th. And I can honestly say that I am looking forward to it. I love it there.

I have mastered the train system here since my initial troublesome encounter. I have been told that I no longer sound "American".. so I guess I am picking up the accent. I am finding it difficult to differentiate between a South African and American accent now. Which is strange and slightly embarrassing. I have settled into a wonderful group of friends. They have become my South African family and are constantly looking out for me and making sure that I am having a good time. I really like them. :) I have applied for my yearlong "volunteer visa" and will apply for a work visa once this one goes through. Baby steps.

Merry Christmas (a bit late) This photo was taken at Carols by Candlelight.

 My friends have introduced me to the show Little Britain. I am hooked, it is hilarious! If you enjoy British humor, please check it out! There is even a Little Britain USA. Brilliant. I have been quoting the show for the last two weeks.

Cape Town is a beautiful place in the summer! The other day it was 38 degrees celsius! That was unbearably hot. I even considered diving into the ice cold ocean in Hout Bay. Unfortunately this water was contaminated by a local squatter camp's waste, so I didn't go for a swim. Ew.

Another reason why I didn't go swimming... there was a shark attack today in Fishhoek. And if you want to know more about it apparently there was a witness giving Twitter updates shortly after.. and possibly during the incident. Yikes.

I promise to give more blog entries shortly. Thanks for being so patient over the last few months!

Much love,

Hilary