A New Start in a New City

It's been one week since I've moved to Cape Town. Am I a changed person? Probably not. Am I happy here? Yes.

I've written about why I made the move and how I got to my current family, so I won't elaborate any further on the subject. I will say that I am thrilled with my new family, the Meilechs. I met them on Tuesday, when they picked me up at the Hofmans, the people with whom I stayed when I arrived in Cape Town. When we arrived at their (or our?) home, I couldn't believe it. When you look out of the windows in the family room and kitchen, you can see Table Mountain, the Ocean, and all of Cape Town. It was quite a change from living in Heiderand, Mossel Bay. Compared to my surroundings with my last family in Mossel Bay, this is palatial. Actually, this home is palatial for anyone's standards. I have a room in the basement, which is literally the size of a house! I have a massive bathroom to myself that is bigger than my bedroom at home. Seriously!

The past few days with my new family have been really fun. I've met some of my host sisters friends, went to the Waterfront (think Navy Pier, all you Chicagoans), and have enjoyed the last few days of the vacation. I'm starting school on Monday. Yes, that's correct. As a second semester senior with less than eight weeks until graduation, I am starting a new school. Perhaps it wasn't what I planned on when I signed up to go on an exchange, but I'm okay with it. The lesson I've learned since going on exchange is to be flexible. If something isn't working out, only you have the power to voice your feelings and opinions to change the situation. I did, and I'm much happier now.

As exciting as all these changes are, I am beginning to miss home. Maybe it's the two or three month blues. I'm not sure. I think that as long as I keep myself busy, I won't miss home. This can be hard during vacation periods. I would not trade this experience for anything, though. Like anything in life, living away from home in a foreign country can be challenging. This experience will prepare me well for college this fall.

I'll be sure to post some pictures soon!