Kaitlyn's decision to extend her stay was the right one for her

A new home for the final days in Cape Town

I still feel like I haven't processed what's happening. It's weird to think I'll see my dad in the airport in the morning and that I'll be sleeping in my own bed tonight. When Laura G recorded everyone saying one word in the pre-departure course, I said overwhelmed and that's still the word I would use to describe how I feel. But it's a different overwhelmed. Initially I was sad to leave friends and family, scared to be in a new place with new people, unsure of how my every day life would be in my new home, yet also so so happy and excited for the 4 months ahead of me as the timing couldn't have been more perfect. Now, this overwhelmed feeling comes from being nervous about adjusting back to life at home, not knowing how to explain my time here to the people closest to me, missing the lifestyle I had/being bored at home, and missing all of the incredible people I've met and come to love these past 4 months. 

Former RA, Ethan, becomes
flatmate for the final week

Sitting on the plane headed to JFK right now, I'm realizing how much Cape Town will always mean to me. Normally when I travel home, regardless of whether or not I'm ready to leave, I get to a point where I'm just sick of traveling and so excited to be home in my house, back with my friends and family. This time is different though because all I want is to be back in Cape Town. Laura T mentioned something in her blog that sums it all up pretty perfectly: I'm going to miss Cape Town when I return home more than I ever missed home while being in Cape Town. There were always people to miss here and there, but for me the feeling of missing others wasn't substantial enough to alter my experience or make me want to come home. 

Sara, Bongi, & Kaitlyn

This last week has been full of so many failures (for Maddy and I), but so many amazing memories too. A lot of the things we tried to fit in this week just didn't work out but that didn't stop us from changing the plans and working around each other. The view from our apartment was incredible, looking out over the city with Lions Head and Signal Hill the background. It was nice to have a change of scenery and be more in the city for the week. Maddy, Sara, Ethan, and I had a chill week and so much fun living together. We went to Stellenbosch markets, High Tea at Mount Nelson Hotel, hiked Devil's Peak, Clifton 4th Beach, enjoyed many sunsets either out in the city or from our apartment balcony, ran errands and finished up our commitments, went quad biking, and went out on First Thursday! Ethan was our personal chef for the week which was fabulous. His friend Alex, from London, also hung with us a lot of the week which was super fun. We had Marita, Vincent, Vernon, and Esme over for dinner which was so nice to enjoy one of our final nights in Cape Town with some of the most important people who made our time there what it was. 

Kaitlyn, Sara, & Maddy

I still wasn't ready to leave when the time came, but I appreciated every second of the last week I had and it made it a little easier. Saying goodbyes for a second time to some of the same people and some new people was not easy. I know I'll be back again some day, it's just hard to know when. I'm not ready to leave my life in Cape Town behind just yet, but I know the reality of life at home is going to hit hard. I do have so much to look forward to this summer and I need to remind myself of that. Life is still so amazing, no matter where I am. I'm happy I have my ubuntu tattoo as a daily reminder of these past 4 months, how I want to continue living my life, and of the person I want to be.