My First Weekend in South Africa

This was our first real weekend in South Africa and it was absolutely amazing. One of the huge social events of the year was on, the JB Met which we all went to. The JB Met is a horse race, but everyone seems to go even if they are not at all interested in the horse racing.

On Friday afternoon Katherine, Nienke and I went to Cavendish, which is a huge shopping center about 5 minutes walk away from Hershel. We desperately needed to buy shoes and sunglasses for the JB Met. Cavendish is such a nice shopping center, it is really big and you can buy absolutely everything you need. I love the shopping in South Africa, everything is so much cheaper here than back home. The clothes are significantly cheaper, even all the brand names, but the food is just unbelievably cheap!! After spending the afternoon shopping we got picked up by Katherine's mom and went home. That evening we went out for supper at a really nice fish restaurant. After that we headed to Herschel for a comedy act that was being held there. The comedy show was to raise money for the girls hockey team to go to Malaysia. The show was hilarious and we all enjoyed it very much.

Saturday was the day of the Met. Katherine and I went to a friends house to get ready that morning. We spent probably about two hours there and only arrived at the Met by 1.30. In the beginning it was extremely hot and not that nice. But by about 15.00 it was lovely, there was a cool breeze and the sun was not so high in the sky. Absolutely everyone came to the Met and I met so many new people that day. I actually didn't see a single one of the horse races. All the people I knew and everyone from our age group stood in a big shaded area under the trees socialising. This also was so much fun and I'm very glad to have been able to go.

That evening we all went to a house party, somewhere in Cape Town. That was loads of fun as well but by this time I was very tired and had very sore feet (from walking around in heels all day). Katherine and I went home at about 11.00 and spent the rest of the evening watching TV, with Nicole (who slept over that night).

On Sunday Nicky (Kath's Mom) took me and Nienke to Smithswinkels Bay. Katherine's grandmother owns a house there and it is the most beautiful place you could imagine. You can't actually reach it by car, you have to park your car at the top of a hill and then walk your way down to the house. The house was situated about 400 meters from the sea and it was absolutely stunning. In total there are only about 25 houses in this area and because it is hidden and hard to reach the beach was very empty and quiet. We spent that day lazing around in the sun and swimming in the beautiful clean and clear water.

Now it's Monday again and I can't believe how fast the weekend went by. This week we have a really good week ahead of us again. On Wednesday we're going to miss a day of school and go on a Township tour with all of the exchange students in the area and this weekend there is of course another party to go to.

That was it for today, I will post again sometime next weekend.

Kirsten