the end.

excerpts from my journal entry last night

things i have learned:

- my first impressions of people are often incorrect.

- the issue of race is more complicated than i had previously thought.

- inequality leads to anger, violence, and unrest. a society cannot really move forward when its members suffer from a vast inequality in wealth and opportunity.

- alone time is therapeutic and underrated.

- the world is small. anything or anyone you want is a plane ride away, if you have the cash.

- money is meant to be used on experiences like this. that's why you save it. don't feel guilty - it's worth it.

- bartering is uncomfortable, and i still don't like it, but it has to be done.

some highlights of the past five months:

- our garden route trip. the secret, beautiful beach we stumbled across. our chalet in tsitsikamma. our ridiculous bonfire on the beach night in jeffrey's bay with the boys.

- elephant valley lodge in botswana with mom and marie. amazing game drives, great food, peacefulness.

- the first wine tour i did with my friends. unbelievable scenery, lots of wine, an entire day of bliss.

- hiking lion's head both times for the sunset and the rising of the full moon. absolutely beautiful, and views of all of cape town.

- st. patrick's day. interstuds were virtually the only ones at the bar, because apparently no south africans celebrate the day. we had great time.

- skydiving. unbelievable. enhanced by viewing the pictures afterwards, which are fantastic.

- being stuck in dakar on the way here, way back in january. at the time it seemed bad, but it ended up being awesome. we stayed at a gorgeous hotel and avoided jetlag, and it was our first bonding experience. the people i got stuck with ended up being my closest friends here.

things i am going to miss:

- 7/11. for everything, anytime.

- how inexpensive it is here. food and drinks, especially. the dollar is going to be a reality check.

- the MOUNTAINS.

- the ocean, and the amazing beaches everywhere.

- these people that i've spent this time with. they are so amazing, diverse, and interesting. not necessarily the people i'd hang out with at home, but that's exactly the point. i couldn't have asked for a better group of people to experience this with.

- UCT campus. so gorgeous, amazing views, old beautiful buildings.

- the weather (for the most part).

- being excited about everything. everything here is new and unique, which makes life so much  more exciting than normal.

- our apartment, helena 5. the meeting place, the hangout place, the go-to for everything. so many glorious days and nights have been spent here, full of friends and food and TV on DVD.

i leave tonight. i can't believe it. i'm anxious and excited to get home, but i'm going to miss this incredibly.