You Have Now Reached Cape Town, South Africa

South Africa was the first port where we were required to do immigrations face to face.  This meant that we had to go up to the 7^th deck, get our passports stamped, and then leave our passports there if we would not need them in port.  We were called by seas to go through immigration.  Since we thought we would have a little time before our sea was called Liz and I went to breakfast.  Just as we were sitting down to eat our sea was called to head to the 7^th deck.  So we scarfed down our food and headed up.  It only took about two minutes and then we were finished. 

Even though we were through immigrations, we still had to wait a while before being able to get off of the ship.  I mostly spent the time packing and thinking about how I should probably be working on schoolwork.  When I was walking towards the dining hall to get my water bottle filled I saw a couple of seals playing outside of the ship!  I couldn’t get a good picture since I didn’t have my camera with zoom with me at the time, but it was cool to see them first thing after docking!

I had no plans for the first day in South Africa so I decided to join Caitlynn, Lauren, Liz K. and some friends to go to Boulders Beach to see penguins.  Matt also joined us at the last minute.  When we were finally allowed off the ship we all headed out.  We ended up walking towards the V&A Waterfront with a huge group of people.  About ten of them were with our group.  When we got to the Waterfront we went straight for the ATM.  After cleaning out our bank accounts (not really, but it felt like it since 500 rand is only $75USD) we found out that we had been walking in the wrong direction and had to go back to the ship.  We were already on limited time since Liz K. had a FDP in just a couple of hours so we hurried back to the ship.  We were halfway there when Matt, Liz K. and I decided it would be better if we just went to the Waterfront today and walked around since Liz K. was strapped for time.  Then after she left for her FDP Matt and I could just figure out something else to do.  So we broke off from the group and headed back towards the Waterfront again.

We spent the time walking around, shopping, and just looking around at what was there.  The Waterfront reminded me a lot of Baltimore Harbor, so I had a hard time believing I wasn’t in the US.  We ate lunch at the food court in the mall.  I know this sounds terrible, I am in Cape Town, South Africa and I just admitted to eating pizza for lunch.  I was planning to get some local food the next few days, so it didn’t matter too much.

Straight after lunch we headed back to the ship and dropped Liz K. off at the ship for her FDP.  We picked up Josh, who was wondering around looking bored, and Matt, Josh, and I went back to the Waterfront again.  We got some ice cream (or as the sign said ‘yoghurt’) and shopped some more.  This time we actually bought some stuff.  There were a lot of street performers out, so we stopped and watched one for a while.

It was only around 3pm when we decided to head back to the ship.  I wasn’t sure what else to do, so I spent some time studying and playing guitar until dinnertime.  I met some friends Farryn and Eleanor at dinner.  Farryn was going on an SAS trip called Evening in Cape Town where she would get to see a play and Eleanor was trying to figure out a way to sneak onto the trip with her.  I decided it would be fun to join them.

                We had to pay for the trip, but there were enough spots that I could get on it.  Eleanor decided not to go at the last minute, but there were a bunch of people I knew on the bus already so it was okay.  Since it was last minute, I was one of the least dressed up people there.  Morgan said it was Avant Garde.

                There was a wine and cheese tasting (I just drank peach juice.  It was really good) and then we headed into the auditorium for the performance.  It was a play called Somewhere on the Border and was about soldiers during the Apartheid.  It was interesting, but very intense.  We had a Q&A session with the actors after the play was finished so we could ask them some questions.  I couldn’t think of any questions, but it was interesting to listen to.  I rode the bus back with someone in my drama class and talked about the play.  It was a lot to process, especially when I was not expecting it.

                When we went back to the ship I went straight to bed.

                I am trying to write out all of my South Africa blogs and post them as soon as I can.  Sorry it is taking me so long!