Last. Post. Ever.

A glimpse into our beautiful last day in South Africa...

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Cheers to an incredible journey!

For someone who almost always has something to say, I have been sitting in the same place, staring blankly at my computer screen, for too long. My thoughts just keep wandering. Maybe it hasn’t hit me that I am heading home, or maybe reflecting on this experience is more difficult than I expected, but I just keep sitting here.

Writing a final blog post makes the end final. Pretty simple except I'm not sure what comes after the "final" part. I am excited for what is ahead, but I have been experiencing a slightly uncomfortable feeling which I decided is masked fear. When you verbalize your fears about change, they sound silly. My head knows I have overcome change many times before, but my heart seems to need a chance to catch up.

Studying abroad and living on my own made me feel unique. It was unique. So am I no longer unique if I am not doing that anymore? Even though there will be another group of students completing the program next semester,  just like our experiences were different from those who participated before us, these new students will have different experiences too. I think a lot of college students think if they are not doing something "cool" with their lives then they are missing out. You don't have to go to another country to be cool or make a difference. This experience has helped me define who I am and who I want to be, but it has shown me that life is what you make it. If I want adventure, I will find it in Georgia... while I save up for another trip to South Africa. ;)

So, here is to everyone who has taken the time to read my blog and share in this incredible 4 month  journey- Thank you! 

Thank you for caring about me and for your many prayers for safety and perseverance. The Lord blessed me with incredible friendships, opportunities to trust him fully, and gave me the confidence I needed to complete my college degree and use it!

My college experience had some really low points, but without those trials I never would have applied for the COST program, and I wouldn't be coming home the person I am now. I have gained a completely new perspective. I am grateful for God's sovereignty and that his plan is always better than my own.

I will really miss the friends we have made here, my incredible roommates, and of course my Grade 1 class.

I have a feeling this won't be the last time South Africa sees my face!

Love, 

Casey :)

Last dinner in South Africa with my best friend! Love you Ray!

Cape Town Part 2

It is hard to believe that this is my second to last blog post.

"Something New" isn't so new anymore. This means it is time to prepare for another season that awaits.

When I decided to write a blog, I wondered if I was being overly ambitious. I'm not an English major, I write how I talk, and I wasn't sure if the topics would be interesting enough for both my family and friends to enjoy. Some weeks were better than others, but this blog has been a huge accomplishment for me. My trip was more memorable, and meaningful, by sharing my adventures with the people I love. It helped me feel connected, provided accountability, and often gave me a new perspective.

It may seem strange to say, but this blog has been a sweet blessing in its own special way. Woah, that was, unintentionally, some Dr. Seuss material right there!

SO, now to catch up on what we have been doing in Cape Town: It has not been a dull week. As promised, here are some pictures from our wine tour. It was a whole day event. We went to five different vineyards and around lunch time Rachel and I both agreed a half day would have been just fine. It was still a wonderful experience, and it was a nice way to get to see some other scenic parts of the country just an hour outside of Cape Town.

The pour/spit your wine out bucket

One of the vineyards had a garden made into the South African flag

cheese and wine tasting

Drinking wine straight from the barrel

This picture pretty much sums up the last couple of hours of the wine tour... we didn't really want anymore wine haha

Friday- We hiked Lion's Head which is a mountain directly across from  Table Mountain

Before the hike

 The hike was much easier than our two hour hike up Table Mountain. This time we brought extra water, snacks, and sunscreen. Overall, it was a much more fun and interesting hike. The path wrapped around the mountain rather than going straight up. Also, we got to do some awesome rockclimbing halfway through the hike. Not going to lie, I felt pretty cool doing it. 

Risking our lives for a cool picture at the top of Lion's Head ;)

With our new Austrian friend, Christina, that we met at our hostel

Saturday- We spent the day at the Old Biscuit Mill(which was recommended by every person who has ever been to Cape Town) 

On Saturdays the Old Biscuit Mill has wonderful shops and a food market full of any and every type of food you could imagine! It was an enjoyable afternoon!

Here are some of the vendors...

Sunday- Rachel and I went to a morning service at the Hillsong Church in Cape Town and then spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the festivities at the Water Front

I was glad that we went to the service. It was a little overwhelming, and quite different than I expected, but because I really enjoy Hillsong, it was neat to see what the church was all about

So this brings us to today, Monday- We spent the day with new friends from our hostel at Camp's Bay beach. Then later we went back to Lion's Head and hiked halfway up to enjoy the incredible sunset

 Lion's Head is behind us

Part of our "hostel group" enjoying sunset

Cape Town's beautiful city lights after sunset

So, tomorrow is our last full day in Cape Town. I feel like it was yesterday that Casey Horton took me to the airport, then I blinked, four months went by, and now I am headed home! What an incredible journey. 

Tomorrow Rachel and I are off to the botanical gardens, and then we plan to have a nice dinner before starting our, not so fun, project of packing.

Begin to prepare yourselves for my sappy, heart-felt, bye-for-now-Africa, final post tomorrow. :)

Happy Monday!

Love,

Casey :)

Cape Town Part 1

I waited to publish this post, because yesterday I received some difficult news about my Uncle passing away. I didn't feel it was appropriate to share about my travels while my family and I were coping and mourning for our loss back home. I loved my Uncle Mark and had shared this blog with him. He was not forgotten during my time in South Africa, and I ask that you would not forget him either. Please pray for the hearts of my family members and for peace to abound during this time.  With that being said, I do want to share the experiences we have had so far in Cape Town. So many wonderful friends and family members have contributed suggestions and lists of places we need to visit. We have been using them to plan our time and soak up every last minute we have here.

Cape Town is treasure of a city. It has everything a person needs to have fun and stay busy. No wonder everyone raves about it!

One part of our trip that we were not expecting was how wonderful our hostel has been! We knew they had great reviews online but now we know why. They help us book all of our day time excursions and provide lots of activities and "community building" events for the hostel. Last night they cooked one of the best braais we have had in South Africa! A braai is similar to an American BBQ but bigger and better. The meat in South Africa is very fresh and no one ever leaves a braai hungry! We enjoyed it, not just for the food, but also for the fellowship. We met people from all over Europe and Australia. It has made this experience even more fun since we feel a part of something.

Here are some pictures of the hostel:

Our room! I'm lucky enough to have Nelson M. watching over me at night ;)

Cool hang out area. I am currently writing this in the cubicle(left)

Gotta support S.A. even when we're walking through the hostel, you know?

So now it's time to talk about the awesome excursions we have been on since being in Cape Town...

Hiking Table Mountain

The Sunday after we arrived we decided to hike Table Mountain because the weather was gorgeous. We had been forewarned that if you hike on a cloudy day that you will not be able to see anything from the top. We took that advice and were excited for the gorgesou day.

Unfortunately we did not know that the hike was straight uphill, in the scorching African sun, so while getting to the top was an incredible accomplishment, the two hours it took us to hike it, without sunscreen, left us with terrible sunburns. It took us a few days to recover from the burns BUT the hike was worth it...

Before the hike

Encouragement to get to the top

As we climbed higher, our view kept getting prettier

We did it! This is us at the top of the Table Mountain hike. A huge accomplishment

I told you the hike was worth it... welcome to Cape Town! :)

Ray taking in the view

We have bonded so much from this 4 month adventure- So grateful for Rachel

Anyone remember my blog post about chacos and how they are the best shoes ever? I still stand by that. Here is my "chaco tan" after Table Mountain...this should give you an idea of the strength of the African sun!



This brings us to Monday! Monday was supposed to be our wine tour, but there was a slight mix up with the bookings, so we used the beautiful day to explore Cape Town and the waterfront.

We decided to take one of the double decker buses around the city so we could get an idea of where  everything is

The bus tour was a great idea except that both of us hadn't slept the night before because of our sunburns. So, we may or may not have unashamedly taken a little snooze...on the bus... in public...by accident... both of us... :) classy, we know. 

Super happy and refreshed after our nap!

 Here are some of the pictures from Cape Town's waterfront....

Strange to think other people celebrate Christmas in the Summer heat!

 Tuesday was used to catch up on University work, so that brings us to Wednesday. Wednesday we went to Robben Island. It was a full day event. We had to take a rough ferry ride from the waterfront to the island. I am not sure which bits of information to include. For those of you who don't know, Robben Island is significant because it was where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years. Rachel and I found it to be a heavy day hearing about the events that went on in the prisons. The tour was important, because it continued to give us insight into South Africa's history and how the people and culture are affected by it.

Nelson Mandela's prison cell

Our guide, who was imprisoned at the age of 24. They fit 40 prisoners in this small room

Robben Island is a different atmosphere from anything else we have done here, for obvious reasons, but I know Rachel and I both feel it was an essential stop.

That brings us to today- the rescheduled wine tour! There is so much to share, and quite a few pictures, so I think I will save those stories for my next blog.

Enjoy your afternoons!

Love,

Casey :)