I arrived at her (our) hotel last night around 7:45pm, ready to meet with the driver who was picking her up from the airport. I was let into the room by the front desk man, and took some time to set out the waters and cokes I had brought for mom after her long flight. Then, I waited patiently for the driver to fetch me and head on our way. 

 

The days leading up to yesterday of course were filled with tons of work. Paper after paper, assignment after assignment. I'm not going to lie and say it was fun, or even ok. It was pretty miserable. However, I kept reminding myself that it was going to be worth it. It would all be worth it when I got to surprise mom at the airport and spend a whole week with her. In my territory. In Cape Town.

 

I was absolutely right. 

 

When she came around the corner, with her 4 bags and 2 carry-ons, pushing her big trolley with her broken wrist, I couldn't help but tear up with joy. I have always loved my parents, especially my mom, and having her fly literally across the world to spend some time with me is unexplainable. Even if I only had 10 minutes to spend with her in the airport terminal, it would have made me feel so much better about being so far from home. Even writing this, with her in the other room, I am crying out of appreciation. 

 

But alas, we have 10 days together to spend exploring, and basically crashing, the party that is Cape Town. 

 

We started her first day off with beautiful weather. Not yet have I witnessed such a beautiful day as this in Cape Town. About 70 degrees, not a cloud in the sky. Mom likes to say "oh, I just bring the warm weather with me, don't I?". 

 

We got on the hotel car that would take us to campus where I could show her where I've been spending my time during the past 2.5 months. As I fully expected, as I took her up the Jameson Steps, at the main center of campus, she was shocked by the beauty of the old buildings and unbelievable view of the valley below. Not to mention, the large mountain on which campus is perched. I'm so glad that she now can understand why it'll be difficult for me to go back to the states. 

 

After showing her around campus for a while, and meeting a few of my friends, of course we had to visit the school store. Wouldn't be a visit without mom buying some (or a ton) of stuff. :)

 

We continued on our tour by walking down to Rondebosch, which is the main town near campus. This is where my grocery store is, main coffee shops, etc. We had a quick lunch at my favorite place, cocoa wah wah. 

 

Then, ha we went to my flat. 

 

Of course, as mentioned many many times, Liesbeeck (my dorm) looks like a prison. Its got a giant courtyard in the middle, with fences and doors opening to the inside. Basically its sketchy. 

 

I opened my front door, and slowed watched her as she took in the mess that is my kitchen, bathrooms, and bedroom. Ha, I literally had to nudge her to take a step into the kitchen...I guess the cockroach stories she's heard aren't exactly inviting. Overall, after using our toilet, and sitting in my room for 20 minutes while I packed, she came to the conclusion that "Its not so bad." I know she's right. I've seen much worse. However, compared to her gorgeous hotel room, with a full kitchen, living room, bathroom, and bedroom, its...well, shall we say, a step down. Either way, despite the step in a negative direction, I like calling it home. 

 

From Liesbeeck, we heading downtown to Green Market Square, which is a big craft market where you can buy crafts made form all over Africa. Well, this was so much fun with mom, considering she finally learned to bargain with people, and would clearly start to walk away if they didn't offer her the price she wanted. However, this is not to say that she didn't buy stuff. Its my mom. Pat Cleveland. She bought TONS of stuff (of course, some of it was mine...). We had a wonderful time teaming up on the sellers, getting each others advice on what to buy, and what not to buy. Finally, we had a great time just experiencing the city. 

 

I can clearly say that there is no one from home that I'd rather share this with than my mom. She really does make all experiences more enjoyable with her optimistic attitude and cheerful personality. It was good to see her having fun with the sellers, and not letting her hurt wrist slow her down. 

 

Finally, we went to the waterfront for dinner, and sat on a beautiful balcony overlooking both the harbor and Table Mountain as we ate. We even had mother-daughter cosmos. :)

 

NOw, as I sit at the kitchen table in our hotel room, I am so excited for the week to come. We have planned such great adventures, and I just want to get them started. 

 

Its 11:50pm, which is far too early for me to sleep, despite having to wake up at 6 am for kayaking with whales tomorrow. Mom is laying in bed trying to sleep, because she only took 1 Tylenol PM instead of the recommended 2. 

 

Me: "Why didn't you take 2 so you'd actually sleep?"

Mom: "I don't like taking 2, it makes me feel funny."

Me: "Funny how? Like it makes you tired?"

Mom: "Yeah, I don't like that."

 

Ha. Oh mom. I love you so much. 

 

333KEC