Saturday, December 17, 2011

Farewell, Africa!

My last post from Africa.
What an incredible two years and a fantastic vacation.

Updates from last time:
I completed my graduate school application - University of Minnesota's Masters in Development Practice program... it felt so good to get that submitted! It was pretty neat being able to write about my experiences in Lesotho for something other than a blogpost. I now have to wait for a month or two to find out, but I think I'll be pretty busy readjusting to life at home, so it certainly won't preoccupy my mind.

On Thursday I went driving around the Cape Point peninsula with friends - Kalk Bay, nice beaches, Chapman's Peak and Cape Point (not necessarily in that order though). The first time I was here we drove down to Cape Point but, as cheap PCVs, opted not to go all the way to the point. This time we just did it. It was beautiful. Every once in a while along the drive to the point we'd see an ostrich neck and head popping up, looking around - they are so funny looking. No babboons but plenty of seagulls and even a couple seals.

That evening, I went out with (and stayed with) the girls on Long Street. Just another great part of Cape Town - very fun and I'm glad to have spent time on Long again. Then Friday (my last full day in Africa), I went around town, shopping for gifts for friends and souvenirs for myself. The vendors are so anxious to sell their wares, making friendly conversation... "Where are you from? How long have you been in Africa? ..." etc. They all seemed pretty impressed I'd been there so long and promised they were giving me the "African price," though I'm sure I still paid way too much for the stuff. On the minibus taxi back to Obs (where I've been staying), I apparently landed in the wrong seat. About five minutes after we started driving, people in the back started poking me in the back with their money and saying things in strange accents (the places they intended to get off the taxi). Usually in Lesotho I recognize the destinations but here I had no clue. I looked and felt like a tourist, but it was pretty funny.

Last night my gracious host and two other friends and I went to a beach to watch the sun set over Signal Hill. Stunning. I was pretty close to tears sitting there thinking back on my week and past two years, knowing it'd be my last evening in Africa for a while. Though Africa isn't perfect, it has become my home and I am really truly very sad to be leaving it without knowing when I may return. I've learned so much about myself and would not be the person I am today without it (I realize it sounds hokey, but it has never been more true). I love this place so much.
Almost time to finalize packing my bags and get a taxi to the airport... cross your fingers I make it on the flight tonight, then I'll be in Atlanta tomorrow morning and home in time for Sunday dinnner!
Thanks again for your love and support, sending my last bit of love from Africa...
-K

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Katie Shepard, RPCV

Greetings from Cape Town!
Last week Thursday (December 8th) I earned my R and my pin and became an RPCV (the R is for returned). That afternoon I left Lesotho for Bloemfontein to catch a bus to Cape Town.
I cannot believe my two years of service are over. They flew and dragged at the same time... so many ups and downs - even a few sideways - and finally I'm done in Lesotho. Really, words don't do the rollercoaster I've been on these two years any justice.

My last few weeks at site were pretty unbelievable. I felt like everything fell into place. I somehow managed to pack up, sell or give away all my belongings. Even selling and donating most of my clothes, it was a struggle to fit everything from my African life into my massive suitcase and backpack. The photos came down from my walls, leaving my house incredibly empty. I got rid of most of my American things and packed my many memories from my travels in Lesotho, South Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland and Tanzania.

My time in Cape Town has been very refreshing. I've been able to relax in a place that is not much like my life in Lesotho or the States. On Monday some friends and I did a wine tour and even though Mom and I did that tour when she was here in June, it was beautiful to see the vineyards in the summer (and nice to taste the wine again too!).

My flight out of Johannesburg is now scheduled for this Saturday (the stand-by numbers didn't look good for today or the rest of the week so I switched it to stay in Cape Town a while longer) and I'm crossing my fingers that they have a seat for me! For the rest of my time here I'll continue my relaxation stint, eat more delicious sushi, probably taste some more wine and just generally enjoy being on this crazy continent.
Thanks for all your reading support these past two years - I'll try to do a big post again at some point but for now my mind has been focused on my graduate school application, not so much on my blog!
Love from Africa,
-Katie