Saying Goodbye... for now

First of all, I think it’s only appropriate to acknowledge that it has been a long time since my last blog entry. For the past few months my life has been filled with making the most of my time left here in South Africa—mostly spending it with the wonderful friends that I have made here in the past year. I never could have dreamed that this past year would be so amazing and now I find myself trying to bring it to a close. I must admit that I did entertain the thought of staying here. I’ve had several job offers and the University of Cape Town made it known that they would like for me to stay on as well, but at the end of day I found myself looking back at my life plan—something I wrote out years ago. On that life plan was a clear indicator of what my next step should be—to obtain my doctorate degree. So beginning in August I will start a new program entitled Educational Leadership at the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill. It will take me a few years to complete, but by the end of the program I will be licensed in school administration and as a superintendent, but even better, this degree will enable me to pursue my passion for writing school legislation and making changes in the education system. Although I am really excited to start this new chapter of my life, I can’t help but think about all of the wonderful things I will miss here in Cape Town:

1. Friends: I have the most wonderful friends here in Cape Town. I could never have asked for better… truly.
2. Sharks: I never knew my passion for sharks before coming to South Africa, but so far I’ve been diving with them 3 times and I’m proud to say that I lived through each time :).
3. Minibuses: The public transportation system here has been surprising and entertaining to say the least. These buses are typically 14 passenger vans that drive through the city, honking and yelling for passengers as they make their route to and fro. I’ve met weird, strange, odd, and extraordinary people through this highly unregulated system.. and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
4. Summer: Summer in Cape Town is from December to February. It’s hot. It was one of my most favorite times because I had 3 months to enjoy the sun and travel.
5. Wineries: South Africa has the most beautiful wine estates and best wine. I think my reason for loving it is self explanatory.
6. Rotary: Rotary is after all the reason I’m here. The Rotarians here are extremely hospitable and I will miss the meetings—especially those that last 3 hours and serve unlimited quantities of wine. They do amazing work and serve many deserving people through their humanitarian efforts.
7. Virgin Active: My gym—complete with sauna and steam room. Need I say more?
8. Languages: South Africa has 11 official languages. Mostly in the Western Cape I hear Afrikaans, English, and Xhosa. Many times people will speak to me in Afrikaans, but needless to say I just meet their questions and comments with a blank expression. Nonetheless, hearing so many different languages is enjoyable and makes me realize that the US needs to change the philosophy in education that language is not a focus—every child should learn a second language starting in elementary school.
9. Churches: I’ve attended several different churches here in Cape Town, mostly Methodist and Anglican. Every church is different in their service and customs. I find it surprising that congregations are fully integrated between white, black, colored (a South African term), and Indian given the fact that Apartheid just ended 17 years ago. It makes me rethink of where we are in the States in terms of race relations—our churches tend to be very segregated, but I’m not sure why that’s the case… tradition? Comfort level? Efforts made by the church? I’m still not sure about this one.
10. The Old Biscuit Mill: This is a place in Cape Town that is only open on Saturdays. It’s a market of sorts where people sell food: cheeses, bread, waffles, bagels, coffee, paella, falafels, etc. It’s amazing!
11. Schools: I’ve had the great fortune to work with the Western Cape Department of Education Foundation and go into several of the area’s schools. Generally the schools that I have visited have been poorer, low income schools. Many of the classrooms don’t have the necessary supplies and basic things to operate—desks, chairs, chalk, books, etc. The teachers are underpaid and many have lost their passion for teaching. Consequently the students don’t perform at level. But even though there are these hardships, the students are resilient. They appreciate everything from volunteers and people that take a real interest in them. I feel like I’ve been able to make a huge difference in their lives (more about this to come in my next blog). I will truly miss them…
12. Grocery Shopping at Pick N Pay: There is a grocery store that is a 4 minute walk from my house, Pick N Pay. The store itself is always crowded and they don’t always have the same things day to day. But the reason this made my list is because there is a woman who works inside whose job is to weigh the fruit for pricing (this is done away from the checkout counter). She is a little different, but she always asks how I’m doing. I guess over the months she has come to think of us as close enough to share blonde jokes. Those of you who know me know that I don’t find these funny. Not at all. But it always strikes me as odd that she thinks I will one day find them funny… I think she will wait for quite a while. But still it’s nice to have someone try so hard to make me laugh.
13. Braai: This is the South African term for barbeque. In a way it reminds me of potluck because people bring their own meat to grill and usually something else to share. It’s always nice to be able to get together around food J.
14. Animals: I’ve never seen so many of the animals that I have this past year; only read about them or have seen pictures. These include guinea fowl, leopards, hyena, hippo, giraffes, and zebra. The safari that Mom and I took in January was beyond amazing—best trip I’ve ever had. I can’t even begin to describe how much I loved going on game drives and hearing Mom scream whenever she saw an animal.
15. Coca-cola man: There is a structure built out of coca-cola crates at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront that resembles a man cheering (I’m sure it was constructed for the World Cup). I can’t explain my love for it other than every time I see it or think about it, it reminds me of my good friend Gabi and our first day out in the city together.
16. Scenery: Table Mountain, Lions Head, and the 12 Apostles Mountains in Cape Town are the most amazing sites I’ve ever seen… plus they’ve served as good landmarks for me as I learned the city.
17. South African words: braai, now now, just now, backie, sundowners, geyser, shame, make a plan.
18. Tea time: I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I don’t really miss Starbucks coffee. I’ve traded my coffee addiction for tea (with milk). We’ll see if this carries over to when I’m back in the US… somehow I doubt it.
19. Food: Butternut squash, feta cheese on everything, avocados galore, appletisers, rusks, litchi fruit, granadilla yogurt, guava juice, and the weirdest chip combinations I’ve ever seen.
20. Absence of television from my life: I don’t watch TV except for CNN when I’m at the gym. It’s amazing how much time Americans spend watching television and how much more balanced your life can become without it.
21. Africa map: Before I came to South Africa I probably could have named 10 countries and their location. I’m now very knowledgeable in all 54 countries and their locations which can be largely attributed to the map of Africa that hangs in my room. My former housemate Gabi and I would stare at it daily and plan all of the places we would like to go—Zanzibar and other parts of Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, Botswana, Namibia, etc. One day I will go, but until then I will continue to stare at my map.
22. 25 Falmouth Road Memories: I’ve had some of the greatest moments in the house where I live and made a lot of memories here. As Henrik puts it, when I leave this place and do one day return for a visit my heart will break to think that we don’t live here anymore. I know our memories will last, but it’s hard to believe how quickly the time went.
23. Driving: After living here for nearly a year, it will be a little strange to get back to driving on the right side of the road. Take this as a warning… I start driving on the road back home on June 13th.
24. My spiritual healing sessions: I have an incredible friend who is able to help me think differently and has taught me so much about bringing balance to my life. As I am with all of my friends I’ve met here, I am such a better person for having met him. I only wish everyone to have someone so special as he is to me in their lives.
25. Garden Route: This was one of my favorite things I did during my year here. The Rotarians that hosted me were incredible, the scenery was spectacular, and the adventures were amazing.

One day I will return to Cape Town—actually I’m hoping to every other year. It has been a remarkable year and I will always consider it home. South Africa is a place that will always be in my heart.