Hello party people. I’m sorry I have been away from my post for so long; my lovely parents came and ferried me around the country on countless adventures (lacking internet), I have had a long (and still on-going) finals season taking up a lot of time, as well as getting some last hanging-out in with all of my study-abroad mates who are leaving soon.
First of all, in late April I went to Kruger National Park with my parents, and it was exactly like Jurassic Park, the movie. We saw everything, from lions and elephants, to leopards and zebra, rhino, buffalo, wildebeest, impala, giraffe, a chameleon, etc. And the amazing thing was they were all so close; we weren't allowed to leave the car, and the car wasn't allowed to leave the road (obviously), so we were confined to certain areas of the park. Yet, it seemed as though the park was so densely populated with large African animals of all sorts that observing from the road was no problem at all, and we were able to get up close and (almost) personal with many of the majestic beasts. I would recommend Kruger National Park, or a safari of some sort, to everyone who is able to, it was incredible and unlike anything you can do or see in boring old North America.
rhino
elephant
sleeping lions
In more recent news, the house has been quiet for a while, first with everyone working hard on finals, then with a lot of my housemates on trips throughout South Africa. I have been getting in a lot of relaxing time, mixed with studying, souvenir shopping, movie watching, and exploring. I went to high tea the other day at a very fancy hotel, which made me feel a little bit colonial. We sat in nice, white wicker chairs, with flowery cushions, and ate all we could eat finger sandwiches, scones, cakes, pastries, fruits, etc. along with plenty of delicious tea. There was even a nice garden with a pool that we walked around at “half time” of the meal. But, I would say the most exciting thing that has happened to me recently is that I had a tailor make me an African shirt out of a couple fabrics I got to choose. It is definitely the nicest shirt I own, and I hope to get many great, in-your-face-years out of it.
That is all I have for right now… I’ll return in the next couple days (after my final final) with some closing thoughts on the experience, so sit tight. Nate, over and out, still, from Cape Town
