I don't think that I can even give justice to how brilliant the New Year in Cape Town is. Once midnight came, everyone headed out to the streets and went wild. It's crazy because in Minnesota, you know that at night in January no one is about to be outside, but here-it's just wild. I think this may have been the best New Year I have ever had. It is great to finally have all of us together and to have the opportunity for all of us to hit the town as one big group. I feel like bringing in the New Year together brought us all closer as a little Cape Town family. It was a time for all of us to let loose, let our hair down, and be our self without any inhibitions. It was great to experience the people of Cape Town coming together as one and dancing in the streets. There was such a large and terrific sense of community and togetherness that you wouldn't feel in cold, cold Minnesota.
I am pretty sure that all of us are greatfull for our day off tomorrow. I think that it is safe to say that we are all in need of some much needed sleeping in. After getting a glimpse of downtown Cape Town today on top of a big red tour bus, I'm pretty sure that all of us are nice and sun-burned and ready to rest. It was great to see downtown Cape Town, however. It reminds me so much of what San Diego looks like, or what I imagine New Orleans to look like. The western feel of Cape Town isn't exactly disappointing, just unexpected. To quote Nate, the world is a familiar place and sometimes the similarities are more surprising than the differences. This is one of the reasons that I want to get into our service learning project and seeing more of the townships. I think that when that happens, it will really hit me that I am in Africa. Right now I feel more like I'm just in another part of the US. I'm excited to feel more out of my comfort zone and to experience things that are unlike what I experience on my own.
The last sort of New Year thought that I have is gratefulness. I am so so so thankful and appreciative of my Cape Town family. I know that they have always got my back. I know that without any one of them, this trip would have been so so different. Everyone adds their own piece to the puzzle, making us one big happy family. This New Year also makes me feel grateful for everything that I take for granted. Even the little things like a hair dryer are things that I am realizing should not be taken granted for. I am discovering this new found appreciation for the things that I have. I hope that in this New Year, I can continue to appreciate the little things in my life.
