Recently in Kaitlyn Kurtz Category

As I have recently realized, no amount of time would have been enough in Capetown. Whether it be the three weeks I was there or had it been three years I have no doubt leaving would be hard either way and maybe even more so having more time there to meet many more amazing people and partake in many more activities. I think about my trip everyday along with everything it taught me and how it changed me. My first blog entry was entitled 'Beginning with a single step' and this one is 'A journey of a thousand miles'. This trip was a true journey of a thousand miles, but not in a plane, rather it was inside of myself that the real journey happened. As Confucius would say, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Coming back home to the U.S. has been unbelievably difficult. I had no idea that through that single step I took by coming on this trip how it would so drastically change my life and my reality. As much as I miss Capetown and wish everyday I had never left I know that I will return. It's not a goodbye it's a see you later. I will return to Capetown someday and even though it may not be today, which is what I would like, it will happen. Capetown is a part of me, a part that will never leave. 

This I meant to post before we left but never seemed to get around to it so I will post it now. The title of this blog is Don't Wake Me Up because on our way to Delft that was the song that was playing in the van by Chris Brown. It got me to thinking how fast this trip has been going by. In the song there is a line that goes 'I don't wanna fall, fall, fall, fall asleep'. In order to soak up every second of this experience I often feel that I don't want to sleep with such limited time left in this place rich in beauty and love. This place is like a fairytale and much like the song says I don't want to wake up in a sense because waking up means returning home to all the business waiting there for me. Here everything is simple, peaceful, and full of happiness. Continuing with the effortless simplicity will be next to impossible to carry with me on my return to the U.S.A. I dread going home and wish I could stay here forever. I can't even fathom leaving all these wonderful people in this city exploding with energy and livelihood. I never thought I would meet as many people as I did and become as close with them as I have in such a short time. Capetown feels like home to me and leaving "home" I have no doubt will weigh on my heart. 

Table Mountain today was absolutely breathtaking. Standing on top of that mountain and looking down at the city we have been living in was awe aspiring. It made me think of all the fun things and experiences we have had since arriving in Capetown. From seeing the stadium in which we were able to go to a Bafana Bafana versus Norway game to noticing Robben Island in the distance while standing on the mountain where an actual former political prisoner showed us the Island he now called home after being jailed there for years, Table Mountain was able to connect all the pieces of this journey. It was a gorgeous view just like was seen from Cape Point and Camps Bay. It made me reminiscent of the three wonderful and truly peaceful days spent in the mountains with the Educo Africa staff. Lastly, it reminded me of the other excursions we have been on such as visiting the Iziko Slave Lodge, District 6 Museum, and St. George's Cathedral Crypt. All the things we have done thus far in this city full of life have been remarkable and far and beyond indescribable. 

There are a lot of reasons I have chosen to go on this trip. One being, a really near and dear friend of mine participated in this experience last year and insisted I take the opportunity to indulge in this once in a lifetime chance. I have always wanted to study abroad but never for an entire semester. I always felt that I would miss too much at the U if I left for an entire semester. When I was looking at all of my options as far as studying abroad, I struggled with finding just one program I liked. I liked a lot of them! Outside of the advice from my friend, I knew I wanted to go to Africa. Even from a young age the African culture had interested me, being it is so different from my own. The second really big thing I insisted on having in any study abroad experience I would consider venturing on was a service learning component. I always thought if I was to go anywhere, I would want to help there in whatever way I could. So from my list of numerous study abroad experiences that I liked, there was only one that I loved and this was the one I loved. This trip had everything I could have ever imagined and then so much more that I never even thought about. It's perfect!