I have had the pleasure of living in Bo-Kaap for the past two weeks with a beautiful homestay family. Bo-Kaap is home to South Africa’s Muslim community. It is a visually stunning area of Cape Town which is always full of tourists taking pictures.

Fitting for the rainbow country

I had the absolute best homestay experience in Bo-Kaap. I was in a huge family with eight kids, and though they’re exhausting, they are so sweet and this experience is so rewarding. My house also was at the top of the hill which meant I had a beautiful view of the city.

I learned that you don’t have to choose between the city and the mountains!

I’m currently living near Bo-Kaap with my sister while on my one-week break, but I already miss it. Monday we leave for Brazil, and while I’m super excited for what’s to come, I am so sad to leave Cape Town. I know for sure that I will be coming back here whenever possible.

Hello!!

So an update on my adventures: I’ve been in Cape Town for two weeks, and I will have several posts with many pictures of my time here, but I wanted to dedicate just one post to the hiking I’ve been doing, because it’s a lot for this city girl!

The first mountain I climbed was in Muizenberg, and even though it was the smallest, it was the most physically draining because I took one of the hardest routes up. The view was so worth it though!

Muizenbergs’ hike

on top of a mountain!

Then, my sister (who is also a BMC alum) flew out to spend my vacation week with me in Cape Town. Our first hike together, and her first hike ever, was to the top of Lion’s Head. She realized her fear of heights throughout this journey, but we made it to the top nonetheless and the view was stunning!

Lion’s Head

Bryn Mawr women on top of Lion’s Head!

AND today we did Table Mountain! My sister was super scared of hiking again so we ended up taking the cable car up. But it was still such a cool experience. When you’re on top of Table Mountain, it feels like you’re in a cloud!

I used to hike in early high school and then I stopped, so I’m really glad I’ve had the opportunity to take up hiking again while abroad. Maybe I’ll keep it up in the future!

Though I like to act as least “touristy” as possible, there are so many cool things about Cape Town that just make the tourist in me jump out.

Now that I’m on break, I’ve been doing a lot more sight seeing. Below, I have pictures of different things I’ve done!

We went to Boulders Beach to see the penguins!

This is my sister at Cape of Good Hope (the southernest point of SA)

I’m always at the waterfront!

Boat ride off of the Waterfront! (Table Mountain in the background)

This is me when I took a tour of the University of Cape Town (which was beautiful and full of so many amazing students)

Me and my study-abroad friends at the Saturday market (which is super cool and should definitely be checked out by everyone visiting CT)

Left on our to-do list is Robben Island (where Mandela was held), hopefully paragliding, and lots of eating!!

Hello everyone! I just got back to Muizenberg after two weeks in Zwelethembe, Worcester, South Africa. This was a rural area of South Africa, where we lived and did our studies to kick off the program. This township was specifically designed by the apartheid government for black Africans during apartheid. Today, it’s home to many people who I got the privilege to meet and live amongst. This township is tight-knit, and my homestay family and neighbors made these two weeks so beautiful. Every morning we were greeted by the kids playing in the street who also walked us home. They were so sweet!

Me and my roommate with our homestay mother

Zwelethembe had the most beautiful mountains and views. I was originally worried about being in a rural stay for two whole weeks because I’m so used to being in cities, but the community here is so warm and the environment is beautiful. IHP also kept us busy with classes and tons of site visits, so I was never bored.

My view every morning

Me in my classroom

I already miss Zwelethembe and my homestay mother. Maybe someday life will take me back to visit this sweet township!