Here's a picture of me and the love of my life kissing on the beach in South Africa.
Just kidding, this is a random couple that I took pictures of when we were sitting on the rocks at the beach this evening watching the waves crash. So creepy I know, but they were just perfect. They were so in love, he was handsome, she was beautiful, they were kissing and cuddling and laughing and smiling and it was completely candid. They didn't even know I took these pictures. I really wished that I brought my big camera, though. My biggest hope/dream/goal is to end up with the love of my life, so I love to watch others and be happy for others who have already found that. They were just casually enjoying a bottle of wine, all by themselves, in the most beautiful scenery in the entire world. I might be more single than ever, but this is, without a doubt, the perfect place to fall in love. Even though I haven't found the love of my life, that person and partner, I have fallen in love here -- with Cape Town itself, and with all of the people who have made this trip what it has been for me already.
Deep, I know. With that said...let me tell you all about my first weekend in South Africa!! It was perfect.
Just kidding, this is a random couple that I took pictures of when we were sitting on the rocks at the beach this evening watching the waves crash. So creepy I know, but they were just perfect. They were so in love, he was handsome, she was beautiful, they were kissing and cuddling and laughing and smiling and it was completely candid. They didn't even know I took these pictures. I really wished that I brought my big camera, though. My biggest hope/dream/goal is to end up with the love of my life, so I love to watch others and be happy for others who have already found that. They were just casually enjoying a bottle of wine, all by themselves, in the most beautiful scenery in the entire world. I might be more single than ever, but this is, without a doubt, the perfect place to fall in love. Even though I haven't found the love of my life, that person and partner, I have fallen in love here -- with Cape Town itself, and with all of the people who have made this trip what it has been for me already.
Deep, I know. With that said...let me tell you all about my first weekend in South Africa!! It was perfect.

On Saturday morning we went to the Old Biscuit Mill which is a little enclosed marketplace where you can eat delectable food and go into all kinds of cool shops, indoors and outdoors. I didn't bring my big camera so I didn't really take pictures, but I'll take them next week. OBM is only open on Saturdays. It's amazing. You can eat breakfast and lunch, shop all day for anything, get anything from coffee to smoothies to champagne or all of the above. It's AWESOME. I had a berry smoothie, a glass of champagne with fresh pomegranate, and an omelette with avocado, parsley, ham, and mozzarella. So good. I bought a really awesome gold necklace of the outline of Africa and it has a little heart where South Africa is! I love it :)
We went to the Waterfront for dinner and went grocery shopping in what I thought was a MUCH better grocery store than what we went to before. It's so interesting doing everyday things in a foreign country to grasp differences between their country and yours...like going to the grocery store. This is something that I've found to be really cool about actually living here as opposed to just vacationing. Random things I've noticed:
-PEOPLE HERE LOVE BLONDES. A man actually came up to me and put his phone in my face and took a picture of me. IN the store. It was so weird.
-People here are fascinated by Americans. A person actually walked after us today asking us to buy something and was chanting "Charlies Angels! Charlies Angels!" {It was so hard not to laugh}
-We've all seen homeless people ask for money or try to sell things {at home or in other cities}, but here, we experienced our first group of children BEG for stuff. Specifically, they begged for coins and for coffee, holding out their hands, and trying to snatch our coffee cups. Really different from what you see at home.
Coincidentally, I bought fruit, water, chia seeds, and energy bars: I'm back to my old ways. Eating junk food on a physically draining trip like this is NOT the move {that being said...soooo not giving up the amazing food I've had out here}.
We went out last night to an Irish bar called Dubliner's which is on Long Street {the party street of the city}. It was SO MUCH FUN. Really the best night out I have had in a LONG time. The whole study abroad group came, and we met so many people from so many countries. Awesome music and really good local beers. Also, our taxi driver who is part of the Global LEAD staff comes into every single bar and club with us to make sure we are safe. It makes us feel really comfortable and protected. It wouldn't be the same without him -- we love you, Ish!
We went to the Waterfront for dinner and went grocery shopping in what I thought was a MUCH better grocery store than what we went to before. It's so interesting doing everyday things in a foreign country to grasp differences between their country and yours...like going to the grocery store. This is something that I've found to be really cool about actually living here as opposed to just vacationing. Random things I've noticed:
-PEOPLE HERE LOVE BLONDES. A man actually came up to me and put his phone in my face and took a picture of me. IN the store. It was so weird.
-People here are fascinated by Americans. A person actually walked after us today asking us to buy something and was chanting "Charlies Angels! Charlies Angels!" {It was so hard not to laugh}
-We've all seen homeless people ask for money or try to sell things {at home or in other cities}, but here, we experienced our first group of children BEG for stuff. Specifically, they begged for coins and for coffee, holding out their hands, and trying to snatch our coffee cups. Really different from what you see at home.
Coincidentally, I bought fruit, water, chia seeds, and energy bars: I'm back to my old ways. Eating junk food on a physically draining trip like this is NOT the move {that being said...soooo not giving up the amazing food I've had out here}.
We went out last night to an Irish bar called Dubliner's which is on Long Street {the party street of the city}. It was SO MUCH FUN. Really the best night out I have had in a LONG time. The whole study abroad group came, and we met so many people from so many countries. Awesome music and really good local beers. Also, our taxi driver who is part of the Global LEAD staff comes into every single bar and club with us to make sure we are safe. It makes us feel really comfortable and protected. It wouldn't be the same without him -- we love you, Ish!
Today marks one week of our arrival in Cape Town! We went to Camps Bay for the day {which is the place that I said was the first time Cape Town took my breath away -- when I first saw where the mountain meets the ocean}, and we ate lunch at a restaurant called Blues right on the beach. I started with a salad called the "Rocket and Avo" {which means arugula and avocado...those words are ALL over every menu in Cape Town}, and it was amazing. Then we each got a burger. Here are some pictures of our lunch...
We spent the rest of the day at the beach just running around in the sand, walking along the water, and sitting on the rocks. So incredibly beautiful and peaceful. Something I just can't really describe. It was a great day, but next time we go back, I need to bring my big camera.
Every Sunday, Global LEAD provides us with dinner in the hotel. We sit at assigned tables with students that we don't know very well. We played a game with the staff where we had to ask them questions on a spot in order to learn more about them. It was fast paced and the answers were hilarious. Then, all of the girls came to our room to have a little girls night in, just tell stories and get to know each other better.
All in all, it was a great weekend!! I am really excited for week 2 to begin tomorrow. It's bittersweet, though...my time here is going by way too fast.
PS -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sister Amy!!!! Today she turns 31 and I am so sad that I'm not there to celebrate with her! I love you, Ames, and thank you for being the best big sister, second mother, and best friend I could ever ask for! You mean the world to me!
Goodnight friends :)
xoxo,
Anna
Every Sunday, Global LEAD provides us with dinner in the hotel. We sit at assigned tables with students that we don't know very well. We played a game with the staff where we had to ask them questions on a spot in order to learn more about them. It was fast paced and the answers were hilarious. Then, all of the girls came to our room to have a little girls night in, just tell stories and get to know each other better.
All in all, it was a great weekend!! I am really excited for week 2 to begin tomorrow. It's bittersweet, though...my time here is going by way too fast.
PS -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sister Amy!!!! Today she turns 31 and I am so sad that I'm not there to celebrate with her! I love you, Ames, and thank you for being the best big sister, second mother, and best friend I could ever ask for! You mean the world to me!
Goodnight friends :)
xoxo,
Anna