The only constant thing is change

The hangover is gone, but thinking about the European Cup still doesn’t put me in a very good mood. The good thing about all this is that I was in South Africa when we were defeated… I can imagine that my hangover would have been much worse if I was back at home in Holland. Well… 2010… the World Cup in South Africa… the people here are already exited for us ‘Orange Dutchies’ to come over!

‘The only constant thing is change’ is a quote that I’ve picked up here in South Africa and it is so true. An obvious change here in Cape Town is the people who come and go. I’ve said goodbye to Charlotte, Amy and Arjan (my classmate) during this last two weeks. Their time has come to an end with YFC, unfortunately. I truly do miss them, but I also realise that this is a part of life. You meet people on your path of life, you built relationships and most of the times you have to say goodbye at one point. What you’ve shared together can be treasured for the rest of your life. My life is been enriched by meeting them and for this I’m truly grateful.

It is school holiday at the moment in South Africa, this means that Vissershok is closed at most of the kids at the SOS Village went home to visit relatives. The school holiday came at the perfect time for me, because I had plenty of time to finish my final report for my internship. Once I finished my reports, I didn’t have anything to do anymore at the house. Fortunately I live with Gabe, who shares an unhealthy love of watching movies and going to the internetcafé with me. The internetcafé closes at 9pm, but the other day we sat outside the internetcafé at 1am, because we still had the wireless connection. This way we could talk to our friends in the States. It’s kind of pathetic, I know, but it was the funniest thing ever!
Gabe and I have also been to the movies… A LOT! Going to the movies in South Africa is so ridiculously cheap (about 2 euros) so why not?! We’ve seen all the movies that theatre plays so now we’re starting to go to see movies for the second time, but new movies will come out at the end of this week fortunately!

I’ve had my final presentation last Friday… and it went very well! Arjan and I both did very well, but this was kind of expected, because we’ve been blessed with a great internship. I’m really relieved that the studying part is over now, because now I can truly focus on my work here. I’ve put together a video for my final presentation. It is an impression of the five months during my internship; the projects that I’ve worked on, what I’ve been up to etc. The video is on YouTube if you’re interested to see it:

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=Rh4vtUXvbK8

Now I’ve two months left here in Cape Town. I’ve decided to stay with YFC, because I like the organisation and I truly think that I can help them improve the great work that they are already doing.

I decided that I deserved some fun after finishing my internship so I did! :-) The first thing I did was celebrate the American Independence Day on the 4th of July. Katie (volunteer who joined YFC’s team in Knysna) is back in Cape Town to visit me during school break. She and the other Americans (Bobbi and Gabe) showed us how to properly celebrate their holiday. Lots of junk food, good friends… great time!

I finally visited Cape Point. Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope are the most South-Western point of the African continent. Bobbi has been is SA for a year now and she gave Katie and I the proper South African tour. Wine tasting at 10am, visiting African penguins, driving through Table Mountain National Park, baboons, ostriches, Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope… a great tourist day! It is amazing to me that I’ve seen a lot during my five months in Cape Town and that there is still so much to see of this great city.
The only tourist thing that is left for me to do in Cape Town is to visit Robben Island. I’ve been putting this off, because this was one of the reasons why I wanted to come to Cape Town. Nelson Mandela’s life has always fascinated me. Every morning when I open my blinds and see Robben Island I think of this great leader. I didn’t want to go to Robben Island until now, because I’ve been keeping it as a ‘treat’ for myself. Now my internship is done and my journey is almost coming to an end, it’s the perfect timing for me to visit the Island… so it will happen soon!

Another treat for me this week was going to see Plush play. I’ve mentioned Plush before; it’s a great SA band whit my projectmanager Emelio as the bass player. I don’t like the band because Emelio happens to be in it, I genuinely like their music. Knowing the nice lads is just a great bonus! They will perform at the Carling Academy Islington in London on July 25th… so to my friends in the UK (or anyone who happens to be near London on this date) you really should go and see them play!

The last thing I want to mention shortly is Saturday July 12th… yes I am actually turning 24. Many of you know that I love love love the Disney movie the Little Mermaid. Since this is the last year before I’ve lived for a quarter of a century… I decided to involve Ariel (the Little Mermaid) in my birthday party, this explains the invitation. Childish? Probably, but I really don’t care! :-) You are all invited to come over, just book a flight and let me know what time I can expect you!

As you can see… I go through a lot of changes over here in Cape Town. I have no idea how things will turn out to be during my last two months, but that’s okay. I’m just gonna enjoy the time that I’ve left here and I will be ready to leave when it is time for me to leave.

For the people back home in Europe; enjoy your summer! To my Taizé friends: I really wish that I could be there with you! And to everybody else: just enjoy life! :-)

Lots of love,
Bao-Nhi