I just jumped out of a plane at 10000 feet!!!!!

Hello all,
Cape town ended on a super high note. As the days went on our surfing quickly progressed so we ventured away from Muzenburg in search of bigger waves. We surfed at a beach called Big Bay, it was on the atlantic side of CT so the water was freezing! It was very hard and frustrating at first, but I overcame my fears and by the end of the day was paddling out back to catch the really big waves. We cruised over to a little cafe for lunch on the beach, we were all very tired but that didnt keep our laugter and smiles supressed! Plus when its a beautifal 87 degree day its hard to feel tied at all. The wind came up after lunch so we had to search for a new place to surf. After the six hours of surfing we were all looking forward to going out for some well deserved sushi! By now were were very good friends with our instructors(they were all around 22-24 yr5s old), whom had driven in the van with us that day, so even though we got stuck in 2 hrs of traffic all was goob becuse we had them around to poke fun at, take turns choosing crazy music with, and recounting funny storys from all our very different pasts. Since the drive took so long we didnt have time to go home before sushi but we were happy to eat in our bikinis and sand filled hair(I dont think the sand will ever come out)! We drank and ate for many hours and then returned home. Some people were too tired to go out but Kate and I managed to find the energy to walk down to the local surf bar (fishermans) to hang and drink with some of the locals we had met from our past week and a half. We woke up early the next day and headed to the local elementry school to practice our 400 meter swim for our surf instructor test in two months. To pass you need to swim it under 9 mins, suprisingly I swam it at 9 mins 34 sec...it made me happy knowing that I wasnt too far off the goal; campared to the 11 to 12 mins that many people did it in! Once we were through with trying to push each other in the pool we loaded back in the van and car and headed over to the local township(where all the impoverished back people live) called Masapumalele to meet up with our local footbal team and run some drills with them. I couldnt play because of a MASSIVE blister in my foot that kept me from being able to walk in sneekers, but it ended up being a blessing in disguise. I was leanig against the wall of the school watching everyone play with the kids when I heard the MOST amazing gospal music. It was coming from inside the school so I decided to take a look. It ended up beeing a little chirch service, about 12 people, they were all singing the most amazing somgs in Afrikaans(SP?) in this cumbeling school room. All they had was a lace tablecloth over a desk where the minister stood leading them in prayer though music. All the 12 people took turns picking songs and doing solos. I have a video of it that I will try and post. The best part was that as soon as they saw me I was swooped in by the misister and plopped down next to 3 of the cutest kids ever! It took about 2 mins before they were crawling all over me. One in my lap, one on my back and one pulling on my leg. I sat and watched until I had to leave...I was sad to go. You always hear about how unfriendly and dangerious they are toward white people, and that you should NEVER go into a township. But that is just not the case, they were the happiest nicest most friendly people I have yet to meet in Africa! After the game ended we headed over to the coach's house, which was just down the road from the school, and we had a braii for lunch with all the children. It was so amazing being able to see what life is really like for those kids. They may not have much but they have enough, any they couldnt be happier. By now it was about 130 so me, Will and Ed decided to grab our suits and towels and head to the beach to watch some of the really good local surfers. The best break in CT (sort of the secret spot) was literally 20 feet from where we slept! We read, ate ice cream and watched our friends we had made surf while we layed in the sun. It was the perfect way to spend our last day in CT. To finish it off we went to one of our surf instructors houses to have a braii and drink some beers/ciders. It was a FEAST, we had ostrich sausages(so good! a local fave), Chicken, ribs, potoes, salad and lots of local fruit. We stayed for many hours, drank to much, recounted stories from our time in CT with them; and in the end we were all VERY sad to say goodbye. We headed back home at around 12, packed up our boards/bags so that we would be ready to leave for our 8 hours road trip to Plettenburg Bay the next morning. Now im in here and is it is so amazing. Much different then the happening CT, its more of a sleepy beach town full of surf bums! Which is good in many ways, but it makes me long for the nightlife at CT!! The surfing here is a huge step up from CT. The beaches are long and filled with perfect white sand. The water is SO warm and the most perfect color blue. The waves are something out of a movie...they break perfecly. The surfing here is litterly to die for. The second day here I was surfing out back and some yelled "Skatie look" I of course assume its a shark and panic but when I finally look over literlly 50 feet away from me is a HUGE whale RIGHT NEXT TO ME!!! It was soooooooooooooooooo SICKKKKK!!! Then about 3 hours later a school of dolphins come right under us and are literally jumping all around us playing in the waves. Like, swimming under us and then surfing the waves right next to us. It was just like a scene out of flipper or something! After that Jenny and I decided to go for a run down the beach and we came across someone who had caught a little shark! He let us both pet it then he let me grab its tail and throw in back in the waves! So rad! So now for the really fun part. I woke up about 7 hours agao and headed over to the airfield with 7 other people to go skydiving. Yupp, I actually did it. Not only that but Claire and I volunteered to go first! We got strapped into out harness and loaded into the world smallest plane, we had to sit on the floors scrunced next to each other!! Our dive instructors we were attached to had these altimiter watches so we could see how high we were as the plane climbed up to our jumping hight of 10000 feet. I was fine up until the door opened. Calire was the first one out, and after I saw her fall and had my feet dangling over the side fo the plane I turned around and I said "maybe this isnt such a good idea". He just laughed at me and the next thing I knew we were tumbling though the air. I free fell for just about 1 min maxing out at 177 KM/HR. Its the most indescribable feeling. Even though you see the ground quickly coming at you, you arnt scared, it dosnt matter becuase your flying. The wind is howling and you literally are FREE!!! Then he pulls the parachute and the wind just stops and its completely quiet. The most pecefull place in the world, just gliding 6000 feet above the world. We jumped over the ocean, but the parachute guided us safely back on shore to the airfield. Not before I got to see a shipwreck just off he beach and some dolphins playing in the waves! I got some pictures of the jump and they made a video of the whole thing for me! I am telling all of you that if you have never done this this you are MISSING OUT. Do it now. Do it for me! Much love...ill post again tomrrow after the bungey jump!!! XOXO

PS

Lizzie you crack me up. Love you

SORRY!

Sorry about the lack of posts but I am in Plettenburg Bkay now and dont have internet access! I only have the internet on my phone. I just wanted to quicly let you know what was going on! Im going to search for internet access tomorrow after I go BUNGEY JUMPING!!!! Dont worry mom and dad I promise Ill listen to all the safetry instruction/rules (for once) and wont hurt myself!!!! This place is beyond words. Yesterday I surfed my first OVERHEAD wave!!!! XOXOXO

Howzit!!!

So much has happened since I have last written! Its hard for me to believe this is actually happening, everyday just keeps getting better and better! I left off last post about ot leave to go out for the night. We went to a local restaurant/bar called The Brass Bell, a favorite of the local s here in kommetjie. It was very cool and very fun, our first real night out with the group. He grabbed a table right on the water that overlooked a great break and watched surfers charging some pretty nice waves while we ate fresh calamari and "cape style" pad thai. By the time we finished eating the bar was really crouded! We made friends wiht a bunch of locals, drank too much, stayed out to late...in the end it was beyond a great night. Since we didnt get home till late we got to sleep in till 930 am(haha).  We ate some breakfast and quickly jumped in the van and headed to the beach. Claire and I were not feeling to well (wonder why?!) so we decided to take it easy grab some coffee, get some rays and take videos of the group catching some waves. Did I mention that since it was a saturday their was over 1000 people surfing the break. Complete chaos! About 2 hours later we got back in the van stopped by the local market to pack a picnic and headed out table mountain park. We took a short hike up the cliffs to a lighthouse that looked over the whole bay. Needless to say it was stunning. We quickly headed down and drove to a secluded beach. It was covered in tall dunes and the best part wild Baboons! Since its summer they had all JUST had baby so there was about seven 3 week old babies tumbling and playing in the sand. It was one of the coolest things I have ever seen. We watched the baboons for a little then found our way to an especially steep dune. We decided to have a contest to see who could jump out/down farthest. I didn't win but it was lots of fun. We played for about and hour and then it was time to head back home for dinner. I havent told you about how much FUNNNN everyone in my group is like 5 year olds stuck in a 20 year old body. We got into a food fight between the two cars, our car ended up covered in cole slaw and we were able to get a couple of tater tots through the other cars window! When I got home I was greeted by my aunt Betsy who happened to be traveling through Cape town! She took me out to a great dinner at the Red Herring of pizza and french fries and Cider! It was so much fun!! I got home and had to head to bed pretty early tho becuase we were getting up early to climb table top mountain. Which was spectacular by the way. After we climbed the mountain we drove to the waterfront in downtown to see the typical tourist area and get some beers and lunch! I had an amazing burger, and Ed and I strolled around popping into shops and watching the street drummers. We finished it off getting ice cream and wondering around a huge mall. This may sound strange but one of my fave things about africa so far is that no one wears shoes. Ever. Not even in the malls or in the grocery store. SO much for the 7 pairs I packed. I have happily been shoeless for the last week!! Today was one of the best days yet. We woke up and headed to the beach to surf for a couple of hours. We decided to have a surf off so we divided into three teams. We barely got started before a giant sand fight erupted between me kate and the boys. It quickly turned into all the boys turing on me and trowing me into the water and flinging me around. I don't know if its because I am by far the smallest person on the trip, or because they think I'm a silly american but I am definately the one who gets messed with the most! The just love throwing me into the water fully clothed, tackling me, or making fun of how I was everything. I also an the only one on the trip with about 20 nicknames...including skaterade and skatman. I actually love it!!! After surfing we headed back to our local beach and meet up with the boys from the local under 8 soccer team I wrote about to play them in some beach soccer...we lost. It was quite a sight to see a pack of 8 year olds schooling us 20 year olds. I did score one of our 3 goals tho!!!!! After about 2 hours we brought out some cold drinks and chips to give the kids. Its amazing how happy something so simple makes them. I forget that being able to eat a bag of chips is such a luxury hear. seeing the Joy in these kids faces makes reminds me of how fortunate I am each and every day!!! Ill write again soon but for how I hope everyone at home is well! Seeing your post makes me happy gramsie...I miss you!!! Xoxo

I swear I'm never coming home!!!

Im feeling badly that I have not posted in two days but five hours of surfing makes you really "nackered"(I love english people)!! I had just enough energy after yesterdays activities to eat dinner and sit in the hot tub gazing at the stars and have a "cider"(Again I love english people) with Will and Kate! Yesterday me and about five other people (three boys and two girls) were deemed good enough by our surf instructors to paddle out the back to the bigger break. It was amazing. I also went from a 7'10" board to a 7"2" board. It was the most amazing thing I have ever done. I am surprised at how much progress I am making so quickly. I was able to keep up with the local surfers, who have ad quite a bit of experience. I wind was coming off shore(means perfectly shaped waves with NO wind and NO chop). It was the first time I have surfed waves that come in sets. I would guess they were about 4-5 feet, huge by my standards!!! But today the wind was blowing on shore so the waves were smaller and choppier, but still great!!! Yesterday after we surfed we went and watch the under 8 kids Football(soccer) team that TTRIDE sponsors! It was sooooooo cool. It was the first time I have seem real poverty in africa...the way the children live. And they were the happiest kids I have ever seen. The girls who were ribbon dancing on the side fell in love with me for some reason. And when I took out my camera to take a picture of them it too about 4 seconds for them to pull it out of my hand and trade off taking picture of anyting and everything. Many of them had never seen cameras before. I will put up the pictures when I find my camera connector!! The girls taught me and will some of the traditional dances they do. We have a VERY funny video of this that I will also put up! Tomorrow we are taking those same boys/girls to the beach to go swimming and play beach football, I am very excitited! Then we went across the street to an outdoor pub and had a few before dinner drinks with my group and our instructors! It was the first time I have ever had cider, and it was THE BEST drink I have ever had. I really love every person on this trip, we are all very different but get along so well. Each day here is full of laughter and smiles. But its hard NOT to be in a good mood after a full day of surfing and seeing the most amazing and beautiful places and people I have ever seen. The beaches and towns here are built on the side of mountains and cliffs which hold perfect white and beaches at the base. It is SOOOOO charming! Not to mention the average temp is about 87!!! I have to go becuase were leaving to head down to a local restaurant and have dinner then go out to a bar but I will tell you all more tomorrow!!!! Much love xoxo

Tired, full and Happy!

Its 8:07PM and the end of my first full day in south africa. I've just finished eating a fantastic home cooked meal with my trip mates and were now sitting around having a few post meal beers watching Taxi. I left home two days agao at 930 am on the 19th and arrived in Cape Town at 710 PM on the 20th after three flights; Chicago to DC(2rs), DC to Johannasburg(17hrs), Johannasburg to Cape Town(2hrs). With layovers, a total travel time of over 26 hrs, but it was well worth it! Not to mention all my bags made it(huge)!!. I was met at the airport by one of my surf Instructors/group leaders Nico, who by the way is VERY cute. He is from france but has lived in Cornwall England during the summer and South Africa during the winter(their summer) for the last 7 years. He is ranked in the top seven Longboarders in the world...number three in england!! He drove me to the house I'm staying at for the next two weeks where my group was waiting to greet me for a welcoming Braii( BBQ) since I was the last to arrive. actually, the last person to arrive is a Boy from england who is coming in two days after he finishes up his exams. The house were staying at is Beautiful. It has a big deck that looks over the hills down to the ocean with a big hot tub and outdoor shower. It seems to be a very typical home here in Cape Town. Most of the group headed for bed right after dinner but Kate, George, Ed, Will, and myself stayed up drinking and laughing for a bit longer. I really like everyone on the trip, they are all so funny, nice and really cool. Almost all the other People are from England but there is one girl from the Netherlands and one girl from a little island off the coast of france called Geurnsey. Today started off early at 8 AM with a big breakfast then we were off the Muzenburg(SP??) beach to meet the rest of our Instructors (also all very cute) and poke around the surf shop/surf club that we are going to be based at here in Cape Town. It was probably the coolest place I have ever been...Pat you would of died. The man who owns the shop is THE pioneer surfer here in South africa in the 50's he practically introduced surfing to Africa. He is said to be one of the people that has made surfing what is is today. The shop is plastered with his old covers of various surf magazines. They have two resident shapers who we watched work for a little while we explored this surfers paradise. Finally suited up, distributed boards and surfed until 130. The waves here are the smallest we'll see the whole trip..and they were still the biggest I have ever surfed!!! I am proud to say I caught exactly 21 waves(Yes, I'm very tired). When we finished up, I took a outdoor shower at the surf club and Tim and Nico drove us down to this little fish and chips spot right on the beach for Lunch. You can usually tell if a restaurant is any good when local are around, and this place was PACKED with locals. I ordered Calamari and Chips. It was indescribable, the softest freshest Calamari I have ever had. We ate outside on the dock while two old men serenaded us with guitars. We told stories, laughed and drank a few beers, it was magical. Not to mention that one of the waitresses, a very old south african women, took an interest in one of the girls in our group and proceed to try and scare her throughout out meal!!??! We piled back into the Van and headed to a local mall to buy everything we had forgotten to pack. Me and Jenny(she's from Reading) explored all the little shops for 40 Mins before we had to meet back up with the group. We drive back home, taking the long way through the mountains past the tallest lighthouse in the southern hemisphere. We finished the day chatting with a native South African women who is in charge of our community service in Cape Town over a delicious dinner of Tacos and fresh Salad(picked from our home's garden) while we watched the sun set over the ocean. Now I'm here; tired, full, happy and anxious for tomorrow!! Xoxo