The moon rising up over the ocean last night. So beautiful!
I can't get over how much natural beauty this country has
Another nice shark pic from a few days ago
Today is my
last full day here at White Shark Projects, and my next to last full day in
Africa (this time!). By this time next week I’ll be back home in Texas, a year
older. I’m feeling so many different emotions today. I really don’t want to say
goodbye to this beautiful place, and the amazing people I’ve come to know here.
That’s what I’m dreading most- saying goodbye to Tom, Mandla, Jerome, and the
rest of the WSP crew that I love so much. But I know that I won’t be able to
keep away from this wonderful place that has come to feel like a second home.
There are many other places in the world that I still want to see and explore,
but no matter how long or far I travel, I doubt I’ll ever find somewhere that
means as much to me as here.
Yesterday
and today have been very chill and relaxed here in Gansbaai. Since the strong
swells have kept us inland, I’ve spent a lot of time walking along the beach,
enjoying what precious time I have left here. This morning I went out and did a
beach clean, thinking it’d be my last chance to do so. But this afternoon,
after coming back from watching a shark documentary up at the top house, I went
out and did yet another one. I originally just sat down and started writing up
this post, but as I looked out the window at the ocean, I just couldn’t resist
it. I just got back home after spending about another hour out filling up my
trash bag. I’ll definitely miss doing beach cleans when I’m back home- they’re
one of my favorite things to do with my free time here. I love being out by the
ocean, watching the seabirds flying and hearing the waves crashing. Beach
cleans are also a great way to get some time to myself to just think and take
in the moments, and on top of that, I feel like I’m doing something that
matters.
This evening
we’re having a braai here since it’s my last night. Some of them suggested
going out into Gansbaai for dinner, but I said I’d honestly prefer to just stay
here and braai. Going out into town in the evenings is nice, but I just love
the whole experience of a braai- all of us sitting outside, playing music and
just hanging out together. The company is great, the food is delicious, the
beer isn’t a bad addition- it’s an all around great way to spend an evening!
I’ll definitely miss braais when I go back home.
Tomorrow
isn’t looking great for going out, but I honestly don’t really care. That trip
I went out on Tuesday morning was so nice that if it’s my last trip, I’ll be
happy with that. I’m not sure yet exactly what time I’ll be leaving Gansbaai
heading to Cape Town, but it should be figured out pretty soon. Tomorrow
evening I’m sure I’ll go out into Cape Town one more time for dinner and one
last walk around the V&A Waterfront, then I’ll be spending the night at
Atlantic Point, the same hostel that I was staying at back in February.
Saturday morning I head to the airport to catch my flight to Johannesburg at
11:30. Then, after a four hour layover in Johannesburg (I’m sure I’ll get
something to eat and maybe shop around a little), at 5:30 tomorrow evening my
wretched 17 hour flight back to Atlanta leaves.
Even though
I hate leaving this amazing place and wonderful people behind, I’m not totally
dreading coming home. I’ve spent a really nice amount of here, and a piece of me
will always be here in Gansbaai. But I guess I’ll forever and always be a Texas
girl at heart. Depending on how much time I have, I may or may not make a blog
post from Cape Town tomorrow. I’ll try, but like I said, I also want to go down
to the waterfront one more time, so we’ll see. This post’s food for thought:
“Quit hanging onto the handrails. Let go. Surrender. Go for the ride of your
life. Do it every day.”- Melody Beattie
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