Guess what?

I got my Visa!!! Finally, after waiting for three long weeks, it came back in the mail as promised by friends and the Consulate website. I am now able to legally reside in the Republic of South Africa for six months. This means I can register for classes and not be deported back to the US after 90 days in the country (cause tourists and people without temporary residence permits/visas only get to legally stay for 90 days).

I also have my power converter and adapters needed to convert electricity in Africa and am continually renewing my packing list. I had a dream last night that I left, half packed and with out my passport, it was terrifying!

I now have only 17 days till I leave for Africa! I am getting very excited to head of on what could be the greatest adventure of my life!

Summer Time

Currently I am on summer vacation, however it feels like my summer is half over already. I am excited to leave in July but it is finally hitting me that I will be leaving everything I know for 6 months. This is an exciting moment in my life and slowly but surely I must say good bye to everything I have known for the past 21 years. It's going to be hard to leave friends and family behind and it will be even harder to leave my home and country and my comforts of life in the states. I will miss everyone a great deal!

Wine from South African vineyards

OK, so those that know me know I enjoy a dark merlot or a lustrous cabernet. I was excited to find out that my host university is surrounded by hundreds of vineyards, many of which are world renowned. In planning for my trip I told many friends and family that I would bring back wine for everyone. Well, I was looking at the Customs and Boarder Patrol website and they don't allow large quantities of alcohol to be imported. So I will be unable to bring wine back for everyone! :(

However, I will be importing some wine that can be covered under my $800 exemption. So basically this means if you want a bottle you have to come see me in South Africa and take it back yourself!!!

I Booked My Flight!!!

I leave July 8, 2009 from Kansas City International at 1:30 PM (CST) and arrive in Cape Town International on July 9, 2009 at 8:15 PM (SAST). My flight on Northwestern Airlines connects through Detroit and Amsterdam and is roughly 24-30ish hours long. I'm super excited and hoping for free alcohol on the flights! :)

I got accepted!!! :)

I have been accepted Stellenbosch University! I am now working through my visa permit and some entry requirements to the university. Here is a link to some virtual tours of campus: http://www.sun.ac.za/university/Virtual%20Views/index_.html


More info to come... specifically about my flight and my address in Stellenbosch and such!!!

P.s. I am collecting addresses for post cards. If you want a postcard I need your address!

First Post - Map of South Africa

First post everyone. I have attached an interactive map of South Africa (...and its interactive.  You can zoom in and out as well as view other parts of the world. Check it out!). My host university is in Stellenbosch which is located in the Western Cape province in south western South Africa. Cape Town is the capital and is 40 km from Stellenbosch, which is where I will be living when I am on the southern hemisphere. First post is kinda lame but I figured I would get this started now.

View Larger Map