Arrival

Well, my flight itinerary wasn't lying.  I arrived in Cape Town yesterday at 8am after almost exactly 30 hours of travel (Chicago > Abu Dhabi > JoBurg > Cape Town).  Aside from the inevitable jet lag the flights were incredibly smooth, and I would recommend Etihad Airlines for anyone flying to this side of the world.  The meals are good, the stewardesses are incredibly friendly and from all around the world, and upon entering the plane you are greeted with music that one can only assume is played in elevators across the Arabian peninsula.  I spent a good portion of the first 15 hour flight watching Modern Family, trying to sleep, and playing an assortment of free video games (Tetris, Trivia, Poker, etc.).  When we landed in Cape Town it was already 70 and sunny at 8 in the morning.  I spent most of the day reading and taking 5 hour naps before finally, seemingly, kicking my jet lag today after a good* night of sleep.

The volunteer house is 2 blocks from the Atlantic coast in Cape Town and about 2 miles from the city center and Long Street.  I was able to meander around the house and the ocean yesterday, and today I took the longer walk downtown.  The city has a lot going on and of course has Table Mountain as its beautiful backdrop.  I took in some sites, wandered around a huge downtown garden, and worked my way back to the volunteer house (where I am now).  There is free internet here, where I'll be for the next week, and I will presumably have some sort of internet access in the following six weeks as well when I start my work.  I'm also in the process of figuring out how to get a phone.  Time difference aside (Cape Town is 8 hours ahead of CST), it seems like it shouldn't be too hard to keep in touch.

*If you know me, you know I tend to have vivid and bizarre dreams.  It turns out this is no different in Africa.  No, Geraldo Rivera does not play for the Toronto Raptors and they will not be in a three way battle for the NBA Championship this year.  No, Casey does not own a gold mining operation five stories below our cabin in Northern Wisconsin.  No, Dave is not an unsuccessful serial killer in a run down amusement park trying to hack Steele, Gasser, and me....yet.  To whichever one of you is incepting my sleep - feel free to tone down the weird.  Regardless, I woke up well rested at 8am without the help of an alarm clock.    

Apparently much of the rest of Africa views Cape Towners as lazy bastards (locals defend this by saying they are just laid back and don't rush things like in Johannesburg).  JoBurg is one of the financial capitals of Africa, and where there is money to be made, there always seems to be a sense of urgency.  Me?  I'm fine living the Cape Town reputation for now.  Off to the beach.

JB

Cape Town Bound

A big hello to any and all followers that may be out there!  I put this blog together (credit to Paul Skoney for the name suggestion) so you statesiders can keep tabs on me across the pond as I volunteer in Cape Town and travel around South Africa.  Computer access and personal responsibility (I'm asked to spend my free time surfing on the beach, not sitting at a desk) may keep me from posting as regularly as some of you may like, but I will be doing my best to stay on top of things.  I will not have my phone abroad, but chances are good that I may be getting one there.  If you'd like to contact me, or vis versa, and don't think I have your number shoot me an email at jbeye@uwalumni.com.

Finally, it would be an incredible injustice to a great friendship if I were to head to Africa, or go on any trip for that matter, and not give a shout out to Lena Jenison.  In 2009, I saw the Disney/Pixar instant classic Up! with Lena in theatres - 3D, of course.  Being avid travelers the movie struck us both, and the following year we would find ourselves applying for the Peace Corps to pursue our own Spirit of Adventure.  After countless applications, essays, and interviews, we were successfully moved on to the medical clearance stage where I made the decision to no longer pursue this dream (at least for now).  Lena continued on and, not surprisingly, was officially selected to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer in South Africa's north-westerly neighbor country of Mozambique.  After a fatal car crash, her service and young life came to a tragic end on December 20th.  Not only did the Peace Corps lose what I am 100% positive would have been one of their star volunteers, but the world lost one of its most energetic, uplifting, goofy, friendly, and caring personalities.  Although there is an emptiness in all of us that knew her, Lena's character and the "Spirit of Adventure" lives on through all of those she touched.  I am heading to Africa thinking of her and hoping to be as remarkable of a human being as Lena was - just don't expect this blog to come close to the humor or readability of Ms. Jenison's "The Mozamblog!"

With that, I'm off for the night and for a few days.  My flight leaves from Chicago O'Hare tomorrow at 7pm - putting me in Cape Town a measly 30 hours later at 8am on Tuesday.  Take care of winter for me, and I'll do my best to send some of that South African sun back your way. 

Cheers!

JB