I succumb...

Alright party people, here it is.  I do so love keeping in contact with all of you on an individual basis, but for those of you who don't have time I'm going to attempt to blog and you can check it at you leisure.  For those of you I haven't spoken to in a while let's do a quick update shall we?

I am in Cape Town South Africa until the end of June living and learning at this fabulous institution known as the University of Cape Town:

It's a lovely school built by the man who once owned Africa; Cecil John Rhodes.  I am living in the suburb known as Rondebosch that is a quick walk from campus up a giant hill, so I'm getting rather nice legs.

Since I've been here I've been hanging out, making friends and trying to see as much of the area as I can.  I even went shark cage diving!

Needless to say my shark tattoo felt right at home.  It was a very fun and exciting until we realized we were sitting in a cage in water that had been filled with tuna guts and anchovy oils.  But I hear it's good for your hair...

While I'm here I am also volunteering at a home for girls.  It's not exactly an orphanage, but more like a group foster home for girls who's parents are either too busy or unable to take care of them and girls who have been removed from an unsafe home life.  I work with a lovely 12 year old girl named Maureen.  My job is to help her with her reading and writing skills and teach her about self confidence and general life skills.  She is exceptionally smart and sassy, so we get along very well.

Living in Cape Town for a month and a half has already opened my eyes to a variety of new experiences.  Although South Africa has been a free democracy for about 15 years it is still very socially, racially and economically divided.  I really love it here and I'm looking forward to the rest of my stay.  I miss you all and I hope this blog helps you stay in touch!