Pauline's reflective weekend

This past weekend I was finally able to make my way to the top of Table Mountain. Though most people have hiked up the mountain, I took the more tourist route by taking the cable car up Table Mountain. I must say that getting to the top of the mountain filled me with such joy and I even realized how much beauty I have been surrounded by in these past few months. As we have come to learn that table mountain represents a mark of freedom for many South Africans, for me, as a visitor of the country, I view Table Mountain as a mark of beauty in an imperfect city. 

Even more of a great highlight to my weekend, I was able to go and hear my favorite Pastor from the states give a sermon on changing our narratives of our life. I was completely star struck when seeing Pastor T.D. Jakes in person and he mentioned multiple times Sunday night that Cape Town was one of his favorite cities in the whole world to visit. 

I was also able to have a long conversation with my mother and was able to fill her in on some of my experiences in Cape Town. My parents don’t really know much about social media and though my mom made a Facebook account just to see photos that I post online, I know that those conversations over the phone are needed. I do miss my family and friends at this point, but I am also so grateful to be in Cape Town. 

As this time in Cape Town is quickly ending, I know that I would love to bring my family and friends to Cape Town not just to experience the beaches, restaurants or even the amazing scenery, but also to really see how Capetonians live on a day to day basis. Taking the mini bus taxi as a form of transportation, eating delicious food from Food Inn on Long Street and going to the Waterfront to have a nice and relaxing evening are all activities I will miss once I go back home. I’m definitely in a weird place where I have accepted the fact that my stay here is coming to an end, but I feel as though at least now I can go back and tell my loved ones what Cape Town is like. One of the first things I’ll say is, “No Dad, there are no lions roaming around the place, but there does exist a beautiful mountain which allows you to see the heart of the city from up on top.”