Well hello there meaning of life, how did you end up underneath my café mocha? “Do what you love, love what you do” what else is there to say? Now that I am on my way back home to the United States, I now have begun to reflect on my 2.5 months in Cape Town. What is there to say? It is still completely surreal to me that I have left my new home and must return back to my old home, and then go to my school home. Goodness, so much traveling!
This is what I wrote while sitting in that café, drinking my mocha:
It is odd how the most appropriate messages are always right in front of you. The sweet and emotion-filled lyrics of Taylor Swift were the tunes that drove me to Cape Town International Airport; as I gazed out the window to take my last glimpse of the city, my eyes were filed with tears, “take a deep breath” it is time to go. Now, I am sitting in the airport café and I’m watching my last sunset over Cape Town…this goodbye is extremely bittersweet. I’ve actually had tears in my eyes since saying my goodbyes to my housemates; although some are shed because I am sad to leave, they are mostly of joy. How can I be sad? I will obviously miss this amazing city, but I was also so blessed to have this opportunity and I am taking home so many memories and new friends.
I also know that I won’t stay away for long. I have met too many people and I can’t let that be my final goodbye; instead, I prefer a “see you soon” (which also means I will have to travel around the world…oh well!)
1. “It was all a dream”
Was it? I know I was there, I know I had seen all the sights and told my story to so many people, but how is it already over? I can’t believe that I was there for almost 3 months. I’ve walked the streets, I’ve climbed the mountains, and even swam in the ocean (although, it was only once). I’m here, now, in the Amsterdam airport, but my time in Cape Town already seems so far in the past. How can that be? I know that it is not possible, but I wish that I could suspend certain moments in time…. just so they don’t disappear, just like a dream. I have photos, but the memories will also have to last me until the next time I come back.
2. “Make new friends, but keep the old….”
“…One is silver and the other is gold…” oh Girl Scouts, you taught me so much, and this was probably the most important lesson of all. As I have mentioned over and over and over, I have met SO many people during my time in Cape Town. I have told my story over and over and over, and I just found out the other day that people I haven’t even met yet have been reading my blog! I’m actually quite thrilled, but who knew that I would be touching so many people? Hopefully it is for the best!
Anyway, all of these new friends have a special place in my heart and I am going to miss them so much; however, this departure is truly bittersweet because as much as I am going to miss them, I have also missed my friends back in the States. There is a lot to look forward to, and many more journeys to be had! So as, I have learned, I can make new friends, keep the old, and know that I have a great network of folks wherever I may go!
3. Track 6 – The Best of the Ganga Muffins
And now, I’m sitting here in the Amsterdam airport listing to “The Best of the Ganga Muffins,” a pretty quality cd that I purchased for R50 from some guy who I met while buying a soda at Mzoli’s Place. I wonder if he knew he would be traveling all the way back to America with me…
4. “I Will Be Blessed” – Ben Howard
One another note I must also thank my new friend Austin for introducing me to Ben Howard. He is an amazing artist, and will be the perfect accompaniment while I am traveling today. Thankfully, she is one of my friends who I am able to see again back in the States…. what a lovely thing!
Kathy in Cape Town 