OUR FIRST WEEK HAS BEGUN

Can it really be only Tuesday?

Saturday, 10 January 2009
We left JFK airport in a snow storm. After several deicings our plane took off about two hours late. Fortunately we apparently made up the time and had no problem catching our flight in Amsterdam (despite having to go back through security).

Sunday, 11 January 2009

Arrived at CPT airport at about 22:30—and ALL our luggage arrived with us -–always a good thing. We were met at the airport by Vernon Rose, the Cape Town program coordinator and his wife Esme; Ben Brown, our RA; and Parks, who will be our driver for the week. A wonderful welcome indeed.

We headed to 10 Loch Rd, Rondebosch, which will be home for all 15 students throughout the next three and a half months. Their enthusiasm at being here, their absolute delight in seeing the house for the first time, and their overall good nature made my “homecoming” even more spectacular!

Roommate selections had been made months ago and since each pair had chosen a number-- rooms were selected in order of the draw! (The house is so amazing I do not think there truly is a ‘bad’ room). Our extremely helpful RA, Ben, had a great array of snacks and breakfast food awaiting our arrival (I am certain the ’08 students can truly appreciate how much of an improvement that was over last year’s first evening when all arrived starving to a house with NO food at all!). Ben had also thoughtfully had the internet up and running, including Skype! It was great that we were all able to email or call home to let folks know of our safe arrival.

Several took advantage of the crystal clear pool (another a huge difference from Jan 08). Some tried out the pool table in the large common room. Ben, who has been involved in the Loch Rd house since he was a student here in 2005 says the entire place has never been better. The house now has a, including a security wall and gates onto the property. We will all continue to remember to take and use MANY keys.

Monday, 12 January 2009

If anyone was suffering from jet lag they certainly did not exhibit it. I spent my first night at Loch Rd and was surely the first one to sleep (somewhere around 2:30 am). When I awoke before 7:00, many of the students were already up –some dressed and ready to go. They are quite a remarkable group.

Our morning began with a group get together in which Ben distributed the week’s itinerary (which in true Capetonian fashion is subject to change as the need may arise). After an official welcome and brief orientation from Vernon we piled into the van for a trip to the University of Cape Town for a brief orientation, security briefing, tour of a small portion of the campus, which included a stop to get our ID cards, and a quick visit to the room in which students will attend two of their three classes ( CAS Building, Centre for African Studies )

Leaving campus we headed to Main Rd, Rondebosch where students were able to purchase items needed to settle into their new home, which included buying “minutes” for both their cell phones and for the internet. They were on their own to explore and find their own favorite lunchtime places. Which apparently was a huge success. When they were picked up to return to the house students had already learned many valuable Cape Town lessons –one regarding how long it takes to get an order ---–this is not a matter of poor service, rather just the way it is!

While students explored, I was able to get ALL my luggage moved to my flat –so great to be able to return to the same place, and Ben was able to pick up the rental car he will have for the duration of the program.

Once we had all taken a brief time to refresh and students transformed into their “smart casual” attire, we were picked up by the van for our dinner out at a Swinger’s for their famous Monday Night Jazz Club Jam, where some of Cape Town’s finest musicians have played over the years (and where Nicolas Williams now plays with the house band). Great music and wonderful food--where we discovered that South Africa Malay Curry is very different from Indian curry (not nearly as spicy).

Unfortunately, before the house band had finished, and the jamming began, wel were all ready to head home to get some very much needed sleep.

Tuesday, 13 January 2009
Picked up at 9:30 for students’ first trip to the “Mother City” for a brief introduction. First stop the Grand Parade and City Hall where Nelson Mandela stood to address the nation when he was released from prison (which brings me nearly to tears each time I stand before it)

From their we split into two groups, one going with Vernon for a walking tour of the city, the other going with Ben to the taxi rank for a quick lesson on local transportation options. The four students who will be interning in town had the opportunity to see the buildings in which they will be doing their internships (though official internship sites begin next Monday). Students had about an hour to split into small groups to explore the area around St George’s Cathedral while discovering some excellent places for lunch.

Meeting at 13:45 we headed out of town to the American Consulate where we received a briefing (upon which I will refrain from commenting).

Our drive home including many comments on how difficult it was to believe that we had not yet been in Cape Town 48 hours. Incredible indeed!

This evening students had their first house meeting with Ben while sharing pizza and salad. I headed back to my flat to continue settling in. I will add pictures to the blog and post pictures to Picasaweb.

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