Welcome to Capetown

Ok so a lot has happened.
We finished the Global Pact training in Grahamstown. It is absolutely incredible what we all accomplished in just 3 short weeks. My group, Financial Sense, successfully found a target group- the Umthombu Cleaning and Catering Service and began talks with the Grahamstown Banking Society to start mentoring and/or workshops for basic financial skills. We broke down our issue from poverty to financial illiteracy to the lack of education to the lack of effective resource management. Everyone's presentations were incredible. I have faith in every one of the 8 groups that something good and sustainable can come from the hard work we put in. Other groups focused on tutoring centers, libraries, sewing machines, litter clean-up, youth empowerment, HIV education, and computer literacy. I really do hope that Financial Sense takes off. We made great ties with the Department of Social Development and I feel strongly that we are capable of doing big things. A lot of the weight is on the shoulders of the Rhodes Students- Mike and Shazz, but I have faith in them that they will pull through. We worked so well together and I could not have been happier with the end result.

The press conference was extremely impressive- reporters from a few different papers showed up and a few radio interviews took place. Later that night we had our farewell Hollywood party- good times, good times. I can't believe how close we all became in only 3 weeks. I have been blessed to have met some of the most intelligent and inspiring people while on Global Pact.

Sadly we had to say goodbye to some of the local GPacters and then we hit the road at 7am the next morning. We starting driving cross country to Capetown. We stopped overnight in Knysna and slept at the elephant park. We got back on the road and stopped for lunch at an ostrich park. Finally made it to Capetown around 7pm the next day and moved into the Ashanti hostel.

Today we went to the Cape of Good Hope. We made a few stops- first to a little flea market area where we had the chance to take a ferry out to see seals, but I opted to get some breakfast and just relax (it was early) Then we went to a penguin beach- very cool! Who knew there were penguins in Africa!? Later we took an incredible bike ride along the coast- absolutely gorgeous. I guess the theory is true that once you ride a bike you never forget how! This was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen. After that we hiked to the top of a mountain, stopping at one point at the beach again. It was so nice to get some physical activity and breathe in the fresh Capetown air.

Few days left in this country- tomorrow we go to Robben Island and then the last two days are free.