Come Back to Texas

Looking back on my time abroad is incredibly surreal. How can such a large chapter of my life be coming to a close already? Living in South Africa has provided me with some of the happiest days of my life. I never want to lose the joy I found in this country. I would need countless pages to write down everything I learned here (and I’m on the verge of tears just writing that), so I’m going to do my best to summarize my semester abroad and what this blog means to me.

As a Public Relations major, I originally started this blog as a means to build my portfolio. After speaking with one of my professors at UT Austin, I decided to apply the skills I learned from his class to build this site. I knew the general direction and tone I planned to use when writing this blog, but I didn’t create a strategic plan on how often to post. Instead, I wanted the posts to come more organically. Quite simply, when I felt like I had something of significance to share, I would share it.

With time, the posts became longer, quirkier, and more therapeutic. At this point, I can’t imagine coming to Cape Town and not blogging. It has really helped me reflect on my time here without the pressure to add something new everyday. Lately, I have been honored (and shocked) when friends living with me in Cape Town have commended my writing skills. To think that I am capturing their feelings in these posts, as well as my own, is something I never expected.

Though some thoughts I have kept as personal keepsakes, this blog is an accurate reflection of my time abroad. The serendipitous nature of South Africa isn’t something that can be contrived. Frankly, this country is pretty much as great as I portray it to be.

That being said, I have narrowed down my thoughts down to a few final words of wisdom.

A picture may be worth 1,000 words, but a memory is worth more.

Although I certainly don’t lack pictures representing my time abroad, there are times where I chose to forego photographic evidence. I’ve learned it’s fine to leave my phone at home and focus on living in the moment, instead.

Be adventurous, not naïve.

As the title of this blog implies, an element of adventure is inevitable during a semester abroad. However, I never forgot that I’m still in a foreign country with customs that are unfamiliar to me. I am independent, but not vulnerable.

How's this for adventure? Skydiving + hookin' em from 9,000 feet in the air = A dream come true! (Click photo to enlarge.)

Surround yourself with positive people.

Within a month of living in an apartment complex with other exchange students, I felt like I was trapped in an American bubble. Instead of becoming frustrated, I took my fate into my own hands. I decided it was up to me to find personalities I meshed with, and that it was fine to breakaway from the crowd. The instant I started living my life that way, my days and nights became extremely more fun and unforgettable.

Learn from your mistakes – even if it means making them a few times.

This statement can apply to a multitude of situations. I find it most applicable when thinking about relationships I've formed while abroad. I’m certainly still learning, but I am finally confident in my decisions and know that I have the ability to fix my missteps.

Since my past few days were spent skydiving, enjoying teatime, and wine tasting, I’m leaving this country with a bang. For every task I have been able to check off my to-do list, I have added new memories that will last a lifetime.

Cheers, one last time, from South Africa! (Click photo to enlarge.)

As if it wasn’t clear enough already, coming to Cape Town was the best decision I have ever made. I cannot wait to return here someday in the not too distant future. So with that, I sign off one final time from South Africa. I hope America (and TexMex) are ready for me... and all of my luggage! Thank you for reading about my African adventures.

Sincerely from South Africa,

Bryna

Where The Wild Things Are

I’ve never thought of myself as a particularly adventurous person, but lately my perspective has changed. Although I do understand how riding an elephant, getting up close and personal with lions, and bungee jumping twice in the span of a few weeks isn’t the norm, I can’t imagine coming to South Africa and not doing all of those things. Even if some of my latest antics have been giving my mom and dad slight panic attacks, I have learned the importance of stepping outside of my comfort zone. My time here is too limited for me to live my life any other way.

Recently, a friend sent me this article that I found extremely compelling and incredibly relatable to my current state of mind. I found the most inspiring statement to be, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone,” and that is a motto I empathize with wholeheartedly. Originally after I read the article, I was going to write a blog post highlighting all of the reasons why studying abroad has ruined my life – i.e. I’ll never make friends like this again; I’ll never get to feed an elephant again; I’ll never get to be within mere feet of lions again; essentially, I’ll never get chances quite like this ever again.

But, as I was starting to compile that list, I realized I had missed the point of the article completely. Sure, studying abroad has given me a multitude of opportunities that I never thought were possible, but that doesn’t mean the adventure ends here. Instead, if when I go home in a couple of weeks, I will think of all of the lessons I have learned in Africa and continue to satisfy my craving for adventure.

So, what has been fulfilling my wildest dreams lately? Things such as…

Feeding an ostrich. That being said, I didn’t know side effects from performing this act include pinching pain, ticklishness, and the always-attractive gnarly double chin angles. Fun fact: an ostrich’s brain weighs 30 grams, whereas each eye ball weighs 60 grams, i.e. they are not the most intelligent birds.

Meeting my new ostrich friend proved to be a bit uncomfortable! (Click photo to enlarge.)

Hugging an elephant. As giant as they may be, elephants are some of the sweetest creatures I’ve come into contact with and it was such a treat to be able to interact with them. They really are just friendly giants!

Now I know that elephant hugs tickle and these guys are as food motivated as my dog! (Click photos to enlarge.)

Embodying my inner-mermaid. The scenery along the Eastern Cape is so picturesque that it led to a mildly embarrassing photo-shoot inspired by The Little Mermaid.

Does this make me a mermaid yet? (Click photo to enlarge.)

Bungee jumping… again. If everyone jumped off a bridge, would you? I decided to answer that question with an enthusiastic, “Yes!” by jumping off of the highest commercial bungee bridge in the world. Luckily I’m still here to tell about it even after a 6 second free-fall down 709 feet. Update: severe back pain will occur as a result.

Before and After pictures from my bungee jump... luckily I was still smiling! (Click photo to enlarge.)

Watch my bungee video, if you dare. Warning: extreme whiplash involved at the 0:33 mark.

Walking with lions. Yes, you read that right. I got the chance to walk with a lion and a lioness. I was in awe of them the entire time and only slightly terrified for my life.

 Just "lion" around in the middle of Africa! (Click photos to enlarge.)

I still have some last minute excursions on the horizon during my last couple of weeks in South Africa. Let’s just say that I’m bound to experience at least one more adrenaline rush before it’s time for me to skydive fly home to Texas. Sorry in advance, Mom and Dad!