Experiencing a World of Winters - Cape Town 2011

As most of you know, (if not before, then you will now) that I love summer. We can say that each season comes with some good things, but for me summer is the ONLY season I can truly love. I guess the 'warm' weather is key for me. So technically, it could be windy, rainy, sunny, cloudy and all else in between as long as it's warm. Fall is funny you see as the warm weather can linger around longer for an Indian-summer which I also enjoy. The leave changing colours is probably another reason I will put up with Fall but that's about it. I'd say Summer and Fall will have to be my favorite time(s) of the year.

For this same reason, I assumed what better place to visit then Australia. A place where it's always summer and their winter is considered Fall-like (in snowy nations). Before my trip I felt as if I have figured out the best possible math equation to have warm weather in my life all year around. RIGHT? Wrong !

"It's Australia, it has to be hot" (assumptions gets you in to trouble, or in my case, very surprised). I packed up my suitcase and turned my back on Ol'man Canadian-Winter only to arrive in the tropical Queensland heat which was wrapping up in the month of February. Friends who were living in Brisbane did warn me and suggested "you should being sweaters, but it's not very cold in the winter months." I did not know how to respond to this exactly as my thoughts were focused on the country's famous heat waves. I packed maybe 2 warm clothes and wished never to use them. I quickly learned that houses in the tropics are not insulated as winter only lasts for about 3 months (spring and fall are still cold but only in the night time, let's remember). Oh the joys of trying to fall asleep while the temperatures dip into the single digits for 3-4 straight months. The only way I was able to manage with Ol'man Australian-Winter was by purchasing, get this, winter clothes. Sweaters, pants, socks, house shoes, and everything else you would NOT think of buying in a tropical country. I had layers of blankets on me while sleeping in as many layers of clothing as it was possible. I got very skilled when sleeping with a scarf on and not strangling myself.

The winter months rolled by and soon it was graduation time. December 9th was the exact day and I were to fly out on December 11th to Canada. Hahah, I assume you can tell where this is going. Welcome Ol'man Canadian-Winter once again! I decided to visit San Francisco on my stop-over however, it was cold and rainy bringing me little comfort of what was waiting for me back in Guelph.

Once back in Canada, the snow was already on the ground and it honestly felt as if I have never left. A year went by but the snow makes things look as if nothing has changed. The only thing which was a great help and distraction for the winter months in Canada were the winter festivities. However, come January till April, I stayed in my room, protesting against the snow. I was ready for summer fun and it could not have come any sooner. Not knowing where life will take me in the new year I was ecstatic to hear that I have been selected for an internship in Cape Town.

Google will tell you that Cape Town, South Africa is located in the southern hemisphere. Guess what my first thought was: Cape Town winter here I come !!! But surely, it's the African continent, there is no way it will be comparable to Australia (snow doesn't exist there so I won't even compare it to Canada). Well as I am writing this blog, it is Aug 5, 2011 and it snowed on Table Mountain today !!!!

So far, my introduction to Cape Town winter has been nothing close to what I have been told: cold, rainy, SUPER windy. It has been a cold start (single-digit nights), with the month of July being much warmer, 25 degrees most weekends. Not exactly sure what August has in store for us but snow was definitely not on the agenda. I guess now I am able to compare Canada and Australia to Cape Town since there is a bit of everything. I have been purchasing winter clothes yet again, but not as frequently as I did in Brisbane. I was much more prepared, knowing that I was coming to South Africa, I just had a slight feeling that I will be cold in the uninsulated houses yet again. I was right this time !

My internship will be wrapping up in November this year. I have job opportunities in both Canada and Australia. Deciding is extremely hard .....but where should I go come November ? Any thoughts :-)

The places I have seen during my stay in Cape Town, and surrounding areas I would not trade for any familiar summer. Since my stay stretches into the summer months I am very to have had this opportunity and I am looking forward to Sept-Nov. I am realizing more and more that no matter what my favourite seasons are, my favourite food, or anything for that matter, every experience brings it's own amazingness. And that, I would not trade for any old favourite :-)

Dream, live, explore!

xo

The Uganda Project 2011 - Good Luck Jenny and Mrs. Martin !!!

The final 4 days (before take-off) have arrived for Jenny and her dearest Mom.


They are en route to Uganda, filled with hopes and anticipation for the 30 children living at the Home Sweet Home Orphanage. Each of their bags is packed with their most essentials and one large bag filled with essentials for the children.

The journey awaiting Jenn and her Mom will be a challenging one. The hard work, support from friends and family, presentations to the donors and 30 little sweaters will be truly put to the test when the ladies arrive to the orphanage.

Finding the support for a cause and then carrying out a cause present with equally difficult yet very different challenges and satisfactions. Finding support takes hours and hours of preparation, organization, presenting to donor agencies, gathering supplies and essential things for the children but all within the comfort of Jenn's own home, community and society with what she is familiar with. Carrying out Jenny's cause, will be in a foreign country in a rural community, with little support and resources in a culture much different from Jenn's home. In addition, Jenny is very much concerned for her mother's enjoyment and safety, but in this case, I think this might be just the right amount of challenge for a mother and daughter.

Once Jenny and her Mom arrive to Uganda they will be relying on each other (and some of the local people working at the orphanage) for motivation and strength to wake up and face what might seem impossible, each day.

It’s a steep hill to climb when I think about meeting the needs of these children and I am extremely proud of both Jenny and her Mom for attempting to do so. Since my next journey will take me to South Africa, I too hope to visit Home Sweet Home and meet the lovely children who have stolen Jenny’s heart.

Keep in tuned to both of our journeys. We are gypsy girls on the road following our calling. I am very excited to see where Jenny and I will end up after these experiences, and I hope some of you will stick around to see us bloom and grow.

R :-)

XO

Cape Town, South Africa - 2011

Ladies and Gentleman,


Remi (will be) back on the road (early May) !!!!


I thought I would write this note to all those people who have requested an explanation to my next adventure !!!


Back in January I have spent a fair bit of time applying to internships through CIDA. Ever since I have completed my masters I was torn between going back to nursing in PH and gain financial independence again or apply for an internship and live the ultimate student/post-grad life (making money is over rated when traveling becomes an option).

As you have probably guessed it, I choose to go back on the road and live the gypsy lifestyle full on ! And what better place to live out my travel bug: Next stop, Cape Town, South Africa! I feel extremely lucky to have been selected and have the opportunity to live in South Africa. Rich and exotic culture spread over a beautiful landscape amongst the lively people of SA.

I have painted an amazing picture for all of you in hopes that it will encourage all of you to come and visit such wonderful place (or any place for that matter). Traveling fills your soul (at least for me) like no other experience I can compare to (well, maybe one other experience).

But with all the amazingness that Cape Town has to offer, I am going for a particular reason. The internship which I got selected for is at the School of Public Health, University of Western Cape. For the next 6 months I will be doing research work specifically in communicable and infectious diseases. I will not know the specifics of my work until I arrive (I believe) but for now, just know that I will be happily working in my are of expertise: microbiology and all that it has to offer.

I hope to keep in touch with most of you, thanks to the amazing technology handed to our generation :-)


If you have any further questions please fire off a message to me and I will sure to get back to you asap!


Thanks for all the well wishes !!


XO
R :-)