Hello readers!!!

This will probably be the longest post that covers the least amount of time... So read as much as you please.

Ok so 6-7 hour flight to London was pretty heinous due to lack of sleep and lame lady seating next to me. I was exhausted beyond belief upon arrival at Heathrow airport for my 12 hour layover, but I still felt like I should spend some time exploring London. The airport is the biggest thing I've ever seen so it took forever to get my ticket to my next flight and get permission to leave the airport and come back later in the day. I then spent some time discussing the best route stuff for me to see in London with some British man that was selling train tickets. He basically mapped out a great route for me to take and then convinced me to pay a fortune for a "Heathrow express ticket"…a train which would get me into London in 20 minutes versus an hour or so on the tube = the subway. London was indeed beautiful and I walked around for some hours. Great tourist spot but it is a city…. Overall, everything was way too expensive, the accents were awesome, and I should have taken the underground= subway. Eleven hour to Cape Town was extremely strange. I kept falling asleep for hours at a time and being confused when I woke up. I had three books, an ipod, two magazines, and a tv to keep me occupied, but I used none of those things because I was constantly in a weird half-asleep trance. A 50-60 year old lady next to me kept ordering vodka and coke and was clearly happy with life…I kept falling asleep on her shoulder and she would push me off. Also she constantly stepped on my food and touched my things. Annoying. Oh on the plane there were already about five people that were also flying to study at UCT. A couple of them came up to me and said "we know you, you're olga…We recognize you from facebook." I didn't sit next to them but it was nice knowing that we were all already in our group once we got off the plane. Oh also upon landing in Cape Town I saw one of the best views I will probably ever see.

…..leaving out details about airport/transportation to houses…..

The first day did not end. We took a bus tour of cape town which was very informative and gorgeous. We then had one of the best meals that I will ever have…an array of African foods. We then went out to a bar with our "orientation guy", Dan. He just finished a semester at UCT and is staying for an extra couple months because he managed to get an internship. Our main internship leaders are a husband and wife, so Dan just kinda hangs out with us and tells us what we really want to know. More details about Andrea and Kevin later, they probably deserve their own post. The bar was very interesting. Lots of international students, Americans, and sketchy Africans. Honestly it was basically exactly what I expected. I feel that a lot of the other kids were just outraged at the behavior of Africans and the atmosphere in general, but it pretty much hit the spot for me. African men (not all…I will have to explain the people here later as well, perhaps when I feel more knowledgeable. But they truly are extremely nice) will pick your pockets when you don't pay attention. Homeless people on the streets. Lots of crazy drunks wandering around. It's not scary to me, but it can be dangerous. The night concluded with everyone passing out. I slept pretty well considering the heater in my room was broken. I was wearing two pairs of skiing socks, lots of shirts and a sweatshirt, and two pairs of pants. Also a blanket on my face. Oh I guess I should say the weather is way chillier than I anticipated. And our house is freezing. It gets cold at night and often windy during the day. I must shop for cheap fleece/sweatshirts in the next couple of days if I want to stay warm.

Today was long as well. It began with a "safety talk" from our main leader, Andrea. We had an amazing free lunch at an expensive hotel. Everyone eating there was white. Then Kevin spoke with us (he's Andrea's husband and teaches the mandatory class that we all have to take). Then Dan talked. Then we went on an amazing walk outside of Andrea and Kevin's house which led us right to the ocean. It got cold fast and we went and had a delicious dinner at their house. They have a 3 year old son named Ben who is adorable. We bought lots of wine earlier and drank it in the house and played games.

Although I'm leaving so many details out about so many different things, I feel like my hands will fall off and your eyes will bleed if I write everything. But it'll make for good stories in person. There are already a million different things I'd love to do while here, but it'll all have to be played by ear. After all, this is Africa.

-I've been trying to take many pictures and eventually I'll start to load up albums.

-I do have a cellphone, which I can use for cheap texting and semi expensive phone calls. Also something about ya'll being able to leave me free voicemails. And maybe some other things I don't know.I'll give my number/more details soon.

-I realize that I have to stop calling people and saying "hey what's up". Everyone gets confused and has no idea who's calling.

-S.A is 6 hours ahead.

-Will give my address soon.

I shall now go pour over massive amounts of reading that are due tomorrow for Kevin. School doesn't start for anything week or so but we're going to watch some educational movie tomorrow…I'll have to explain his class later. I'm excited about it.

p.s

Absolutely no complaints about south Africa, but I am mourning over the lack of Lactaid products and Folgers smooth-on-the-stomach 99.7% caffeine free medium dark roast decaf.

Pps

I woke up this morning, went outside, and was surrounded by mountains. Life is good.