Quite Hectic

I handed in my first paper this week and have my first exam in a couple of days, so my denial of school is finally getting a reality check. In my literature class we have been reading a series of articles about the development of Cape Town which I have found enormously helpful in understanding what I have been seeing the past two months. Interestingly, the article that I read last night discussed the importance of the convention center, which is this amazingly beautiful building that held the design expo I went to a couple of weeks ago. The convention center is huge, well designed and very posh. I remember when I entered the building it just felt so strange because it was the nicest expo center I had ever been to and it stuck out like a sore thumb in the midst of the surroundings with the dirty and smelly minibus station a mere 20 feet down the road. Anyways the article mentioned this convention center as an example of the ways in which Cape Town is trying to become part of the world economy by building up distinct areas for business. And yet in trying to establish its foothold as a “global city” the resources and funds do not spread to those people in places like the Cape Flats who desperately need money. Thus, anti-poverty movements are being pushed aside to by this globalization desire.

Today I had so much fun because I went rock climbing with the Mountain club at UCT. The club had everything we needed to hike including the ropes, carabineers, harnesses and shoes. There were around 10 people on the trip and aside from the two South African leaders, the majority of the students were study abroad kids. Nevertheless, I had a fabulous time and forgot just how much I love to rock climb. The climb was in an old quarry on the side of Table Mountain that used to be used way back when to get granite and such. The first route I climbed was not bad at all but then the second was much harder and I realized how much work I need to do at the bouldering wall at the gym in UCT before I can conquer it. My forearms burned by the end and I think I will sleep well tonight. Plus it was really great to get to spend time with South Africa students. They have a whole new way of using some words. For example after someone came down from climbing the leader of the trip said, “Bru that was quite hectic” meaning, “Man, that was quite hard”. The word hectic comes up ALL the time and its beginning to grow on me.

Tomorrow I am going to Old Biscuit Mill which is a really nice farmers market and then on Sunday I am going with the Mountain Club to climb a peak near Franshoek. Hopefully I’ll be able to bring my camera to grab some snapshots!