Da Cape

Helllloooo! So yesterday we went to Cape Town to go to Robben Island and explore the city. Since my mom's friends are now reading this, I'll give you a little bit of a history lesson. Robben Island was used as a prison for political leaders in the anti-apartheid movement. Nelson Mandela was housed on the island for 18 years during his sentence (all of which were spent in solitary confinement, without access to outside news/radio/TV sources). It's actually pretty incredible because most of these prisoners were sentenced without a trial because they were seen as a risk to white oppression (think about that...). Today, the tours on the Island are given by ex-prisoners, and their stories are amazing. This was our tour guide:

He was in prison for 9 years for assisting in anti-apartheid activities and worked with Nelson Mandela during his time on Robben Island. Also, according to SA newspapers, Nelson Mandela is out of the hospital because his respiratory issues are improving (which I learned were caused from a case of tuberculosis he contracted while in jail from mining limestone).

The crew on Robben Island

Me and Hope being super cute next to a lady taking a photo of Penguins

Normally I'm not too interested in history, but receiving a tour from an ex-prisoner was unreal. These men and women were fighting for equality and were placed in jail for threatening white power; it's hard for me to comprehend. After the tour we were able to see Nelson Mandela's jail cell and I can't really describe what I felt. I was talking to a Namibian women as we walked out of the cell and she said the only word she would use to describe her feeling was "gratitude". It was such an amazing experience. 

After the trip to Robben Island, we went to an part in Cape Town called District 6 for lunch. District 6 is a part of Cape Town that used to be home to many black and coloured people, but during the apartheid they were forced to move to an arid desert where farming was nearly impossible (farming used to be a primary occupation for most people). Their houses were destroyed and pockets of barren land still exist today. 

So after those two pretty heavy experiences, we visited the Waterfront. It was BEAUTIFUL! There were shops and restaurants where we obviously stopped to get a drink...or 3 (need I remind you that everything is so cheap?!).

Our mid-afternoon view

Then we strolled on the boardwalk...

Cape Town was so beautiful and bustling that Samm, Hailey and I decided to stay the night. We went to an area called Long Street to start off the night. Apparently it's just like Bourbon Street in New Orleans (idk, I've never been). It was INSANE. People were everywhere. The night was fun and a few highlights were dancing with the Argentinian Rugby Team, meeting Die Antwoord's producer, potentially ending up in a music video, and getting complimented on my super fab dance moves by locals. Sidenote: No one knows what Khaki pants are here so I don't know how to let people know what my name is in crowded clubs. I now go by Katharine after 11 PM (woof).

Today we chilled and went on a hike. Check my home, I missed this place after my adventure in Cape Town.  

Looking down on Stelle Campus

 I know, pretty average...

Tomorrow we are going to Stelle's Rugby finals! We are undefeated and I cannot wait to paint my face maroon (our color) and cheer on the Maties (our mascot, pronounced Mah-Tees). Maties means friends... I don't think they got the memo on what a mascot is supposed be.

PS- like everyone has been feeling queasy the past few days, except me. Shout out to Kets for letting me eat sand, dirt, and snails as a youngster.

XO Katharine