Protea Hotel Pier Place Cape Town

... re staying in a new ritzy part of the town called the Cape Quarter in de Waterkand (waterside) district. It just so happened that the complex we're in had its gala opening launch the night we arrived so they had a 20 piece swing band (coincidently called the Paul Cooper orchestra for those that know Paul Cooper in Aus - jail joke) in the Cape Quarter Piazza.
Already experienced some great food and service and busy making plans for the next few ...

... our lovely hostess at Abbey Manor hooked us up tonight with the Mack Daddy of rooms, Room #1 which is not only huge but overlooks the harbor so we have an unbelievable view of the city. Bring it. Best get back to the room now, lest Dan think I left him for some hot S. African bloke. ;) One last thing - Happy Birthday, Ed! Can't get to my email and no crack berry so know we're thinking about you. Lots of love, S & D

... and it was totally worth it. I also started SHAWCO this week. SHAWCO is the largest student run organization on campus and they organize a tutoring/mentoring program with underprivileged kids in the area. A lot of programs go to the townships, and mine goes to an orphanage. Its all girls and we are tutoring them in math. Firstly, I like it because I am the only American in my group of UCT students, and I am going every week so I will definitely ...

... at in a less positive light, although hopefully/most likely that would be unconscious for those who felt that way. Overall Heine said that our group on Church st is much more polite, honest, good, etc foreigners than the majority here, specifically in relation to how we are viewed here by the locals around here. Basically, especially for those who do not think as open mindedly as the younger crowds I guess, when they see foreigners they ...

... live in this little bedroom. They were selling some crafts and jewelery outside, they were quite pricey considering but I didn't haggle, the necklace I bought was 60 rand. I figured, I just paid her rent for 3 months.

The area itself looked harsh except for the new government houses and some other cheap property around that really looked like a nice suburb. What I found interesting is that these nice houses did not have barbed wire fences or guard dogs like those in Cape Town ...

... by others who are not your best friends. As soon as I am able to I will post a pic of this piece of junk rental car I have. It's a Volkswagen Chico that is made down here in South Africa. Picture a four door Yugo and you have the basic body style. But wait, it gets better. The interior is stripped down to where it's just knobs attached to a hard black plastic dashboard. You know how a car normally has a center ...

... forgotten to pack. I luckily got to sleep until 9 and I got up to get breakfast and hike Table Mountain with Dave, Greg, Brianna and Morgan. Morgan's boyfriend did the same Semester at Sea itinerary last spring and told us the best path was one called "Skeleton Gorge" that starts off at the botanical gardens. We took a cab there and started off on our hike to the top of the 3,300 foot mountain. We quickly found out the reason it was called skeleton gorge ...

... seriously is flying by! Unfortunately, I can't go on an exciting site seeing or volunteering trip for spring break. Instead, my Entomology class has a required field trip. Luckily, I get to spend the week in a beautiful area on the northwestern coast of South Africa in a field blooming with wild flowers trying to collect insects (for an insect collection) with my really cool classmates! An extra bonus is that this trip has already been paid for (so I won't be blowing lots ...

... it's the best and closest thing to Mexican food I've had since I came to Africa. The next day Beca and I headed out on a wine tour while Emily and Jason went surfing and hung out. Just outside of Cape Town in Stellenbosch and Paarl, the winelands region is one of the most beautiful areas aside from the coasts. Vineyards line the rolling hills, wild flowers grow in bounty and small antique shopping towns make you think of Sideways...or if you're from ...

... selling fake sunglasses every 10 minutes. You couldnt relax at all, which spoilt it alot. Last thursday we went to a small village called Simons town which was a small fishing port, we didnt stay there for long. Boulders beach was a small beach where penguins (known as jackass penguins) stay for a short summer break. took some great photos (see them later when i up load them.) We have been ...