Janiel seeing things from a new perspective

Our days here have now become a countdown. Everyone, including people back home feels the need to constantly remind me that I only have six weeks left in South Africa. I keep reminiscing on my first week in Cape Town, and walking around with big, bright eyes. It’s scary to think that I won’t be here forever. I look back at my first blog post, and the enthusiasm that was pouring out of my words. Not to say that that feeling has subsided, but I’ve definitely been looking at everything differently each week.

I went back to Camp’s Bay yesterday for the first time since Orientation Week, and I couldn’t believe my feelings. It was as if I was in a different world… completely different from when I first saw it. I remember feeling so small next to the mountains and the ocean, mixed with the cool breeze. I remember thinking, this place is like no other. Thinking I had to take as many pictures that my memory card would allow, just so I could show everyone at home what I was experiencing. It was as if I couldn’t breathe, because it all seemed so false. Being there yesterday was very different. It still held the same majestic qualities, but the place on a whole seemed different to me. I was looking at the same ocean and mountains, and feeling the same cool breeze but from an altered perspective. Everything didn’t feel as foreign anymore. I was able to relax on the beach just like any other person that day. I’m beginning to feel and look as if I belong, and I don’t want to be reminded that in six weeks I wont be able to wake up and do certain things anymore.

View from Camps Bay

It seems since we’ve been here, time has been moving in hyper speed. With that being said, I want my goal for the rest of my time in this country to be sharing and hearing as many stories as possible. Not just talking to people, but genuinely getting to know people that are unlike me. That is very fundamental when you are somewhere different. Life stories and experiences are things that never change. I know when I leave, I can hold on to personal conversations forever.