It's winter again!

I'm in Africa! I can hardly believe it but I am here. I have been wanting to write but internet access here is a little tricky; not as cheap as I was hoping and slooooooow. Really slow.

My first day here had to be one of the lonliest I have felt in my life. Seriously. I think that when I realized that if, at that moment, I decided to go home it would take me 2 or more days to get there I reallylost it. Just an empty feeling all through my heart and soul. I felt so alone, that noone at all on this continent knew me or cared if I was alive. It was a really weird feeling, and lonely. Luckily I had the phone number of a friend of a friend and I made a connection. Food and a good night's sleep made a huge difference, too. My first day here I spent driving around with that new friend and checking out the area. It is amazing how similar it is here to home- the ocean smells exactly the same- same kelp forests & seals and rocky shore. And the weather is exactly SF/SC winters- cloudy, chilly. I'm living in my down jacket and I am very proud to say that I have already used every bit of clothing that I brought. And thank god I brought my sleeping bag- it has been so cold at nights I have needed it. It is a total trip to be in winter in August but I kind of like it.

This city is strange- it is totally westernized- lots of white people but they all talk pretty funny, I almost can't understand them. Also lots of black people and they speak Afrikaans, so do the white people. And it does not feel safe here at all. I don't go anywhere at night unless I am picked up and returned at my door. There is razor wire surrounding all of the buildings, and most shops in the down town shopping area are behind bars- you have to ring a bell if you want to go in & they let you in. People drive crazy here and on the wrong side of the road! So just walking down the street is a little sketchy- gotta look around a lot and then run as fast as you can across.

My hostel is good- very simple, but nice people running it. Really nice. Quiet, too, not the party place which is just right for me.

Today I went to Robben Island & saw where Nelson Mandela was in prison for 18 years. An ex- political prisoner gave us our tour- very interesting and informative. Great, really.

While driving (being driven) down the freeway yesterday I saw Zebra!!! I was so excited- they were in a pasture just like we would see cows at home. And today on the Island I saw penguins and Ostrich and some other exotic looking deer types. Very cool.

I plan to be here for as long as it takes for me to feel OK in my skin. I am feeling better every day- my new friends have been keeping me really busy but as soon as I get home & alone I feel a little lost and I am wondering what, exactly I am doing. I am trying to just appreciate each moment, though, and enjoy being in such a different place, so far from home.

Sorry no photos yet but I think they would take a century to upload here.

Love to all.