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Looking down on he Co-educators |
This past week or so has been the most unreal week of
my entire life and not necessarily in a good or bad way. I don’t even have
words to describe most of it. After moving out of Loch Road and into the Park
Inn Hotel in Newlands, the rest of my time with my co-educators FLEW BY.
Our last week of the program was filled with many
lasts, goodbyes, a few tears (happy & sad), and even more lasting memories
with some of my favorite people. Last Friday was one of the best days I have
had here. The upstairs crew minus Ethan (me, Maddy, Claire, Sara, Rachele,
& Laura T) went to Silvermine Trails to hike Elephant’s Eye. We hiked to
the Elephant Eye Cave which was beautiful and just enjoyed everything. We
didn't have to rush and on our way down we spontaneously jumped into the
reservoir. We met two South African guys there who we have hung out with a lot
since meeting!! There's no data or cell service where we were so we were
slightly stranded with no way to get a taxi or an uber.. Ethan came to the
rescue, but before he came we ended up getting an uber. It sounds like any
other day here, but amidst all that had been happening it was much
needed.
Kirstenbosch is one of my favorite places here, and
although I didn't spend nearly enough time there, walking around it last week
with Ethan and Claire was perfect. So serene and beautiful, leaving me at such
peace. I went out to lunch and to Bo-Kaap with Alex to take pictures one day
which was relaxing and nice to get away from the chaos of the week. Alex and I
have become so close, which is one of the many things I am so grateful for from
my time here. I absolutely loved sharing an internship with her and wouldn't
have changed that for anything. We were able to bond and relate over it, become
great friends, and now we even have a lab class together when we get back to
UConn! Thanks for talking to me and listening to me vent on our two hour daily
walks and rubbing your sarcastic sassiness off on me. Tuesday night
was the annual thank you internship dinner at Strand Tower Hotel in the city.
This was such a wonderful night, filled with so many emotions. Everyone gave
such inspiring speeches that night, I wish I recorded them. It reminded me how
lucky I've been to have had this experience and to have met all these
incredible people along the way, some of who make this program what it is and
those who have crossed my path while here. There was a feeling of thankfulness
that spread throughout the room all night, a feeling I never want to forget. At
one point when Maddy and I needed some fresh air, we stepped outside onto the
pool deck area and leaned against the railing looking out over the city below.
We couldn’t help but think about how unready we were to leave and that our one
extra week ahead would give us the perfect amount of time to relax, take it all
in, and accept that we actually had to go home. Wednesday was not
Alex and I’s last day of internship, since we arranged to come in for the Club
Foot Clinic Friday morning. The Lumineers concert was that night, and
almost all of us ended up going! It was a chill concert that ended at a
reasonable time; it was the perfect outing where by the end of it we all had
such an incredible time bonding, singing, and dancing together. Such love was
present among us and it made me so happy and grateful to be spending my night
and time here with my co-educators. Thursday Maddy, Claire, and I
went to the Waterfront to get lunch and finish up some last minute shopping. We
waited there for Taylor and Laura T and we all went on a sunset champagne sailboat
ride. Friday was everyone’s last full day together. We didn't all
spend it together unfortunately, but I think everyone enjoyed it. I overslept,
but still started my morning at Maitland Cottage. The Club Foot Clinic is on
Fridays so Alex and I wanted to experience it before we left. I only caught the
end of it, but it was so cool. We were able to help put casts on and hold the
children down that were being treated. I learned a lot and in just that one
morning became even closer with the other physios and interns there. When I got
back, Claire, Maddy, Sara, and I went to a hotel's rooftop pool in the city
which had an incredible view; it was a nice way to end our time together since
Claire was leaving the next day. Shona came with us to see sunset at Signal
Hill that night. The best part was that Sara showed us a rooftop to watch it on
a little down the hill because the rest of Signal Hill was super packed. It was
emotional, but the best way to wrap everything up. We were so close to not
going, but I couldn't be happier that we did.

Saying goodbye to everyone at the airport on
Saturday continued the unreal trend of the week and was so sad. It felt
weird saying goodbye, since Cape Town is something we've all experienced
together this whole time. Especially given the chaos of the week, I wasn't even
close to being ready to leave which is why I'm still so glad I'm still in Cape
Town. This last week has helped me to accept the fact that I'm actually leaving
soon and to enjoy this wonderful city with no other obligations or
responsibilities in my way.
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Parks, Kaitlyn & Vernon at final dinner |
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Sara, Maddy, Claire & Kaitlyn |
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