Life Between the Tweakends

Not much to write about for Monday and Tuesday… we had UCT orientation both days. On Monday we had a massive drumming session taught by some professional drumming troupe, which was fun but really tiring after a long day. Then, on Tuesday everyone had to take an entrance exam that took three hours!!! It is like taking the ACT or SAT but easier. Rough day regardless…

Wednesday was MUCH better. I went to an information session for a student organization called SHAWCO (Student Heath and Something Something Something Organization) that does work in the Cape Town townships with student volunteers. They offer afterschool tutoring, mentoring, and athletics in really poor, minority communities. We went a school in Menenberg that was surrounded by thousands of small houses that looked more like a refugee camp than anything else. Still, the school was packed full of kids from nearby areas, all in dark and warn classrooms. Some rooms had computers, but the standard class had at least 40 rowdy children and one teacher. They were all really nice and thought our names were hilarious for some reason. The kids also applauded after each introduction and seemed so surprised that we were all so old (19-21). But, the real excitement came when one of the guys in our group introduced himself… he looks like the pro-wrestler Bautista, and the kids LOVED him. It was really memorable and inspired me to get involved in the townships while I am here.

I had the day off on Thursday and a bunch of us decided to go to the beach in Muizenberg. The beach was really nice, with white sand and super clean water, but it was also a bit windy and the water was COLD! That of course didn’t stop me from taking a swim, along with a few brave homies. There was also a few seals that were enjoying the beach and we spotted them playing in the waves just offshore. We also walked around the town a bit and got pizza and ice cream at a nearby restaurant before taking the train back home.

Friday was registration day, which for many is the longest day ever… UCT does nothing online, so we do all the registration with paper and talking to people about getting into classes. I was lucky to be in the Sciences Faculty because the Humanities Faculty had a really long line and took at least a few hours longer than my registration process.