You take classes abroad?

I just got back from registering for classes for this semester. I have been here for about two weeks now and the "study" aspect of "study abroad" and about to begin. I have never been so thankful for the system that we have in place for registration back in the states as this morning. Not only is the campus huge and I still have absolutely zero clue how to navigate it, but registration is done by paper, requiring you to walk around and wait in endless lines to get things signed. It is a completely miserable process. But it's over! and I got all of the classes I wanted! I am taking Religion, Spirituality and Ecology; Media, Power and Propaganda; Images in Conflict; and Origins of the Contemporary World. I am especially excited for the religion course because it looks at how different religious groups are dealing with the current environmental crisis and their theories behind it. Should be really interesting!

On the exploring side of things...I went to the beach for the first time yesterday. This week has been really warm compared to the rest of the time so we were able to soak up a little bit of sun. We took the train from Rondebosch (where I live) to Muizenberg beach which took about 30 minutes. I didn't think it was possible to have a worse train system than Metro North but the trains here definitely have it beat. I have been with my guy friends every time I have taken it but it is definitely not something I'd want to do solo. It is for sure the cheapest way to get to the beach though so I am completely fine with it. Muizenberg beach is where everyone goes to learn how to surf because the waves are pretty manageable. I didn't surf this time but I definitely will in the near future. Along the beach there are lines of these beautifully colored little huts that are changing rooms but I joked to my friends that I would live in one. It honestly wasn't a joke..waking up every morning and stepping out onto that silky smooth sand with mountains on the horizon line and at my back would be a blessing. I brought my film SLR camera with some black and white film as well as my digital SLR camera to snap some pics. After a long day of lounging in the sun, my flat cooked dinner together and drank some Pinotage (our new favorite) before going out. I'm glad I didn't go as crazy as all of my friends last night because they were not feeling too hot at the registration process from hell this morning. Tonight, we are going to take the train to St. James beach which is a couple stops past Muizenberg and is apparently very nice to watch the sun set. hopefully it isn't too chilly! 

Here are some pictures from the beach yesterday :)