Baby we were born to run!

I love driving. I love Africa. Africa + Driving = best life.

This week I rented a car. The freedom of driving has allowed me to:
1. go grocery shopping without having to schlep heavy bags 6 blocks uphill to the jammie stop
2. drive to greenpoint for dinner AND seapoint for dessert
3. further explore neighborhoods that i live near
4. Drive to the beach
5. drive to the Great White Shark capital of the world
6. Drive to Stellenbosch (wine country) and get lost on the way
7. drive to seapoint to get bagels at the only bagel shop in CT
8. Doing what i want when i want
9. NOT HAVING TO TAKE THE JAMMIE

Friday I had an interesting adventure into Khayelitcha and Nyanga. Those are two of the black townships. Nyanga was created during the 1950s as the Apartheid government forcibly removed more and more black people out of the city. Khayelitcha is the "newest" township. It is growing daily. Diana, a former CIEE study abroad student who has since moved back to CT to run this non-profit called Chosa, took us to Philani project in Khayelitcha. These women get paid a commission for whatever they sell. It is part of the "township tour". They make these beautiful bags out of leftover teeshirt scraps from factories. They also do bead and wire work, and make wall hangings, aprons, tablecloths, placemats, etc. It's a wonderful idea, and I hope I can take back that kind of spirit with me when I start my project.

I have less than a week left in Cape Town. I am dreading packing. I am ready to leave. Even though I feel at home here I also feel like I occupy some transient space still. I feel like I wont really relax until I get home. I'm excited to see all my friends in Scotland, but I am going to be very sad to leave South Africa. I feel very connected to this place. It has welcomed me with open arms and it makes me realize I will be homesick for Cape Town once my plane takes off.

Love, Katy