Following yesterdays post, and reflection on my lack on independence, right now I am currently sitting at a local cafe called “Cocoa Wah Wah”. I brought extra homework with me to campus, and after my only class ended at 12:45p I headed down into Rondebosch — the town located at the base of the mountain — and found a comfy spot to work. It exactly what I needed, and easily reminds me of my adventures into DC. 

It is a little different considering a whole swarm of Americans showed up right after I got here…and tried to be social…basically interrupting my alone time. However, they have now left and I’m once again by myself. Just me and my coffee.

I had an interesting experience this morning on the shuttle. When I caught it at the dorm to head to campus, I realized that I was the only white person of the 45 passengers and driver. The interesting part…it didn’t bother me at all, and no one else looked at me as if I was out of the ordinary. 

That’s just how it has become here in Cape Town. I’m always the minority, and no one else thinks anything of it. 

Had I been riding the metro into Anacostia in DC, being the only white person on a train, I would have been scared, and probably gotten off at the nearest stop. In fact that did happen to my friend Nick and I once, and the man sitting behind us leaned forward and whispered “You should get off here, its the stadium, you’ll be safe. I suggest you head back in the other direction”. Ha. Woah. I’ll never forget that day. 

But, alas, Cape Town is different. I’m not suggesting by any means that its safer than Anacostia. They are probably about the same. However, more often than not, I am the minority. My dorm for example is all black students except for us Americans. And thats just how it is. No one even gives it a second thought. 

…

On a completely different note, I don’t have class on Monday due to a national holiday: National Women’s Day. How awesome is Africa?! My friend Gretchen said “We should have a party in honor of ourselves!” I think we’re going to. 

Well, I should probably get some work done. Its a beautiful afternoon outside. About 70 and sunny. I’ve got my coffee and some fabulously interesting photography readings to do. Can’t wait. 

Until tomorrow, 

333KEC