First Impressions

It's day 2(ish) in Cape Town and I am having a fabulous time!  It has not surprisingly been a very busy and tiring few days.  Rather than giving you guys that play by play, I'll just catch you up with a few stories. 

The trip from Boston to Cape Town was about 24 hours start to finish - air time accounted for about 17 of those hours.  There are a total of 62 students in my program and about 30 of us were on the same flight.  The food was surprisingly good, but then again I'm not a picky eater.

I am living in an apartment building called Helena Court that is about a ten minute walk from campus.  There are 8 or so apartments in Helena Court, each with 2 or 3 people.  I'm living with Justin, a foodball player from Amherst College, and Taylor, a fellow Barnard '09er.  I have my own very spacious room (my first single in college!) and the three of us share a bathroom, living room, kitchen, and patio.  We were all very content with out housing until we went to a braai (that's what we call BBQs here) at Osbourne, one of the beautiful student houses.  Jealousy aside, it was a very fun party that culminated in me climbing a tree and breaking the swing.  Needless to say, everyone in Osbourne just loves me.

It is HOT here.  We toured teh campus today (more on the absolutely beauty of campus later) and I think it was in the 90s!  I'm very happy to have met quite a few runners and I've been on a couple of beautiful and challenging runs.  (85 degree weather + running up a mountain = insanity?)

Another random tidbit: in South Africa, they drive on the left side of the road!  This has been the root of much confusion and a few near death experiences.  For a while, I just looked the wrong way when crossing the street, but after a couple of close calls, I have developed a very attractive head-shake move that allows me to cover all ground.  

Though I've been here for a couple days, I am still very much disoriented.  No one here seems to be as concerned with food as I am (go figure) so I've actually skipped a few meals.  When we arrived, interstudy had left us quite an assortment of "staple" foods: Cadbury chocolate, bread, sugar, peanut butter, and apples.  I have mainly been working the peanut butter and apply diet, although I hope to expand upon this soon - very soon.

Everything is very cheap.  The rand makes me feel like I am spending a lot of money (the exchange rate is currently about 7 rand to the US dollar) even though most items aremuch cheaper.  Our cab home last night for example was about 15 rand for 6 people.  

I am also proud to report that I have not yet lost a thing!  Though I have been accused of being "the worst," one of my friends here actually left his computer on the plane in Johannesburg!  He realized this at baggage claim and of course ran back to plane but somehow had already snatched it up.  He also left his drawing on the plane which he had been working on for pretty much the whole 17 hours.  I would laugh harder, but he's actually a pretty good guy, so you can all laugh for me.

Lastly, I want you all to have my cell phone number and address:

0712281177 (that's the cell)

Caroline Ott

c/o IAPO

3rd Level Kramer: Law Building

Middle Campus

University of Cape Town

Cape Town, Western Cape

7700

Republic of South Africa

If you don't are to spend that much money to speak to me, shame on you!  Actually, I think Skype would be a better idea all around.  I get very good and cheap wireless here, so send me an email (still using the columbia one - co2151@columbia.edu) and let's set up a date.

Missing you all!