Trista determined to fit everything in during her final weeks

Although Johannesburg and Kruger were certainly an enjoyable getaway for spring break, I was eager to settle back into life here in Cape Town this week. I spent Easter Sunday hiking with Becca, Drew, Megan H, Derek, and Caroline.  Originally, we were aiming to reach the caves that are supposedly nestled within Table Mountain, and then we decided we would attempt to hike all the way to Devil’s Peak.  Unfortunately, a series of wrong turns and a lack of properly marked trails led us to neither and we ended up on a summit just beside Devil’s Peak.  Nonetheless, the view was still incredible and the journey up the mountain was full of light hearted conversation and good energy all around.  We ended the evening with dinner at a Sushi restaurant and continued the conversation, reflecting on our time in Johannesburg and all the items we still have yet to check off our bucket list here in Cape Town.

On Tuesday, we finally resumed our internships.  I had missed some of my favorite faces at the hospital and noticed a good number of new admits as well, which made the weekly rounds with the doctors exceptionally interesting, if a bit lengthy.  Although I was eager to return to the OR the next day, I was struck with the stomach bug that night, and spent Wednesday and Thursday rehydrating and resting. 

Thursday night, my illness seemed to have subsided for the most part, and I was determined to get my money’s worth for the tickets I bought to see Of Monsters and Men at Kirstenbosch that night.  Despite lingering stomach pains, the concert was amazing from start to finish and I was glad that I dragged myself from my bed to go see it, even if it did require a pep talk or two.

My favorite part of the week, and perhaps of my entire time in Cape Town, occurred this past Sunday, when Abby and I ventured to Signal Hill for paragliding.  I was initially a little bit nervous about the take off, but once we were actually in the air, I didn’t want it to end.  The view was absolutely incredible.  I could’ve floated there, mid-air, for the entire day and not gotten sick of it.  This particular activity had been on my to-do list ever since I arrived in Cape Town, so I was ecstatic to finally cross it off my list and thrilled that it lived up to all my expectations. 

With only four weeks left, I really feel the pressure to fit in everything that I want to do before I leave.  At the beginning of the trip, I kept telling myself, “I have the whole semester, it’s no big deal if I don’t do this now”, but now the semester is almost over and I’m scrambling to absorb as much of this city as I can before I leave.  My mom is finally arriving next week, which is something I’ve been anxiously awaiting for weeks.  I hate to wish away any time here, but I also can’t wait to see her and show her all that Cape Town has to offer!