Today, I Say Goodbye

Well, my five months here in Cape Town are coming to an end. I have to say goodbye to the place that's been my home, my playground, my nest, my launching pad for other adventures. My feelings are jumbled. On one hand, I'm painfully excited to go home. On the other hand, I'm in denial. Cape Town, in every respect, has become my home. I'm scared to leave. How sad will I be? When will I see my friends again? When will I come back? Will I come back? Will I forget about this place? The people I've met? The things I've done? Will I remember all the good food I've eaten? The places I've been? The things I've seen? My biggest fear is that when I leave, this whole experience will become foggy like a dream. I don't want to wake up and say 'Did that really happen?' Right now, Cape Town feels like a part of me. But I don't want to leave that piece of myself behind. I want to carry it with me forever. As sad as it is to say goodbye, I want to remember this place for everything it was and everything it meant to me. There is insecurity in leaving. Home might have changed, I might have changed, the food might not be as good. I wonder if it's possible to be happy to be home while still remembering the good parts of Cape Town, or if I will only be able to be happy about one or the other at a given time.

Enough of the drama. I'm going to do what every study abroad student does in their final blog. A greatest hits and misses, so to say. Here are the top things I'll miss about the Mother City:

1. The beauty. Table Mountain, the ocean, the beautiful places only a drive or train ride or flight away. Enough said.

2. The food. Food here is cheap and delicious. I've grown accustomed to a delicious meal for the equivalent of $5. I also like the laziness of meals here. You sit, wait, get a menu, wait, order, wait, wait, wait, eat slowly, wait, get your table cleared, talk, wait, ask for a bill, wait, pay, wait. You get the idea. It's a lot of waiting, but it gives you a chance to enjoy your company and when your food finally comes, you're really looking forward to eating it. Like the anticipation makes the food better. Or it could be the amazing cooking or the fresh ingredients. 

3. The energy. Maybe it's just because it's world cup time, but people here are happy and their happiness is contagious. 

4. My peeps. Although most of the people I've met go to Wisconsin, a significant number of my good friends do not. My roommate, for instance, goes to University of South Carolina. It will be strange to not see these friends all the time, and it's sad not knowing when I'll see them again. 

5. Africa time. This goes along with the restaurant thing. Things here run SLOW. Living here has turned me into a slow person. Things just take time, and it's fine. It's refreshing to not have any pressure on you. 

6. Obs. My neighborhood. With Lower Main Rd only a short walk from my house, full of restaurants, bars, shops, interesting people, it's been amazing. State Street had better step it up.

7. Old Biscuit Mill. I can't even go into it or I'll get emotional.

8. Getting in a plane, flying for two hours and What? You're in Namibia/Botswana/Zambia! Everything is so close. You get in a plane in the States, fly for two hours, and you're in Nebraska. Not as cool, though I've never been to Nebraska. 

9. My home! My house is SWEET. I love my room, my view, my garden, backyard, neighbors, EVERYTHING. Even though it's freezing because there's no heating, I've grown to appreciate how cozy it is to be wrapped up all the time in blankets and sweaters.

10. There is more, but this would turn into the longest blog ever. 

Now that I've done the Cape Town list, I'll mention a few things I'm excited to get back to: good coffee, friends, family, Oliver, Roxy, Chicago summer, safety, Madison, the beach, the list goes on. 

I've become used to my life here, and I like it. I like the adventures, the people, the constant stream of new experiences. I've done all I've wanted to do. I don't want more time here, but I wish I wasn't leaving without knowing when I'll be back. Cape Town isn't exactly the place you can fly off to on a whim. I'll miss this place in the indefinite period I'm gone. But it's not goodbye forever. I've grown to love this place too much to not return. 

So farewell, dear Cape Town, until we meet again. 

-Sarah