i miss Saturdays.

It’s really hard to believe that I have been here for 42 days! 

This has been an unforgettable experience and I have learned so much about myself being here.  I have learned that I can eat pre-packaged sandwiches from a grocery store.  I have learned that grocery stores can be wonderful when housed inside of a department store.  I have learned that the vuvuzela is one of the worst inventions EVER.

  I have learned that I sincerely hate being micro-managed and find it is quite counter-productive to my work.  I have learned that having an intern and a team of staff to help you accomplish tasks can keep your to-do list very short.  I have learned that I enjoy eating sushi more than I thought. Multiple times a dayJ.  I have learned that whales swimming in the harbor right outside your hotel is, in fact, not the norm, which makes me even happier for having the chance to see them!

(I have a cute video of this but it won't upload...bummer)

I have learned that being away from a fiancé and your entire family for over 6 weeks really sucks.  I have learned that people in Africa have a horrible view on Americans.  We’re apparently very dumb and ignorant.  I have also learned that working with Africans for 6 weeks will allow them to see that Americans, in fact, can be well-educated, smart and kind people.  This, I am truly happy about.  I have learned that Spain has a Queen, and she is very kind and made my day by shaking my hand and allowing us to have a picture with her. 

I have learned that everyone has a story.  You think your story is the worst, and then you hear someone else’s and you’re reminded that life always throws us curve balls and it’s really how you react to them that makes the difference.  I have learned that scars mean survival, therefore scars are beautiful.  I have learned that soccer fans are insane.  Insane! 

 Most importantly though, I have not learned, but been very much reminded that I am blessed in ways I never thought imaginable.  I have a job I love and get to travel with, which I also love.  I have family to miss and a fiancé who supports me with everything he has and is and who is proud of the work I do (and also misses me like crazy when I am gone…which makes me feel very special).


Lastly, I have learned that Saturdays are in fact my favorite day of the week and I miss them oh-so-much!  Being on program and having guests arrive—go to a match—go on a tour—go home, then having more guests arrive—go to a match—go on a tour—go home, etc etc. can be a whole lot like Groundhogs Day (watch out for that step, it’s a doozy) and can really make you long for a normal Saturday morning!  A morning where I can sleep until I want, make coffee, watch The Soup and the Top 20 Countdown on VH1 (yes, I love them both), and just be.  Ahhhh **sigh**…these days will return soon…until then, I am going to soak up the remaining days here in the beautiful Mother City of Cape Town. 

See some of you very soon…

I was finally able to take two half days off in the last week and was fortunate to go on two tours…one was in uniform and the other was UNIFORMLESS (which is amazing when you’ve spent the last 28 days in the same outfit).  My first trip is detailed down below because of the way the pictures uploaded....

My second little excursion was so much fun with my colleagues!  A group of about 6 of us were able to get one of our drivers to take us all up through the wine region so we could visit a winery or two and have some fun!  Back home my favorite South African wine is Spier, so I was thrilled that we were able to go there!  Their grounds are so neat and have a lot to offer…amazing local craft market, beautiful grounds, cheetah encounter & owl/eagle encounter area.  We had a blast walking around, seeing the animals, holding the eagles and (of course) tasting some wine J After Spier, we went to another winery (whose name I can’t spell) for lunch.  It was another beautiful day, we were able to enjoy lunch outside in the sunshine…

On my first tour I went out to see Cape Point and it was amazing!  What a beautiful part of the world!  I was with one of our MDEM (Match Day Experience Managers, which basically assist the guests on all tours and matches) Marney, and we had so much fun!  It’s a crazy walk up the hill to get to the lighthouse, but I wanted to walk it rather than ride the funicular (I hadn’t worked out in a while and needed to use my muscles) so we took the hike.  I had been told we might see some baboons when were there and I was so excited to see them when we walked back down, but the locals are right…these suckers are crazy!  I watched them take a sandwich right out of a lady’s hand and chase a man across the parking lot!  They basically think they own the space around there and get a lot of food from all of the tourists.  Needless to say, it was fun to see but made me a little nervous.  After we saw the lighthouse and the baboons we drove up the coast to the Breakers—a beach with thousands of penguins and other birds.  It was such a gorgeous day and it was wonderful to see the fluffy baby penguins with their mommas!  

Believe it or not, I have mostly been cooped up in the office, although this post doesn’t really indicate that. HA J

In other news, it’s only 13 days until I am en route to Atlanta.  Hard to believe so much time has passed!  The hardest part is yet to come in the next two weeks, but I have no doubt we’ll get through and make our client happy.  At the end of the day, that is all that matters.

That’s it for now…love from Cape Town!!

welcome to my home [away from home]

I have been so fortunate to have a home here in Cape Town that I really enjoy.  Usually on programs we stay in the same hotel as the guests, but that was not possible this time around due to the large quantity of guests. Originally I was bummed that I wouldn’t be staying in this hotel…then I saw my apartment.  It’s about a mile +/- walk to the office every day, and I love it.  To be honest, we’re somewhat in a safe bubble around here.  It’s well guarded and there are plenty of people around at all times.  I know this makes mom & grandma feel better J!  It does suck when it’s raining sideways but we make due.  So, without further adu allow me to show you around……

what I walk past on my way to work....

This is behind our apartment!

love our kitchen!!

great windows to our patio, large living and dining area.

cozy bedroom with great floor to ceiling windows!

Huge bathroom...still haven't figured out how to turn on the heated tile!

I still miss home so much, but I am glad I have a cozy, fun, safe place to stay while I am gone.


Can't wait for the USA game Saturday...turn on your TV and root for our boys!  If they win the next two I will get to see them here in Cape Town!!

these are the memories & no girls allowed!

Ever since I arrived, I have wanted to see this sideways rain everyone spoke of.  I asked staff when I would see it, I was excited because it sounded so fun.  Who wouldn't like rain blowing 7 different ways at once?!  I thought I would like to see it [from the comfort of my lovely apartment here, or sitting at my little desk inside our office].  What I did not expect, or desire, was having my first experience be outside in 53 degree weather (which I was not dressed properly for), and accompanied by hail. I had no where to go.  Crowds were everywhere and I was at least 10 minutes from the office.  I was stuck.  


Funny, right?!  


I was laughing so hard it hurt with two of my local staff and one said "I love this, because this is where the memories are made!!"  He was right. I know I watched Italy in a draw that night but what I really remember is the moment I realized that I was in a hail storm with an umbrella that can't stand the wind coming from 7 different directions and I had no where to go.  


In other news, boys rule and girls drool.  Not really, but our local girls can't work Friday's game because they are worried about "hooligans" out of the England fans here in Cape Town.  First of all, I have heard the word hooligans more in the last three days than I have in my entire life.  Second of all, those Brits should be angry at their goalie, not the cute little girls holding the Visa signs for us. Sorry Green couldn't hold the ball.  Anyway, I know they are just taking precautions, but these security rules are really throwing a wrench in my scheduling!  Bring it on hooligans, I hope the hype is worth it.  (No, mom & grandma, I don't really want them to bring it on, I will be safe!)


Miss you all back home....hope you're enjoying the heat for me too ;)

bafana! bafana!

The South Africa soccer team is known around these parts as "Bafana! Bafana!"  It has been so fun watching this city come alive over the last week with guests arriving from all over the world to cheer for their home team!  These soccer fans are crazy & make for some interesting sites!  Anywho, I don't have much time to write but I know I haven't updated in a while.  Hopefully this tiny update will fill you in a bit.....

The day our guest amenity and staff uniforms came in was beyond chaotic!  Luckily we had great staff to help sort through, but it was funny trying to navigate around the cardboard all day!  Made for an interresting lunch, to say the least!

So here in Cape Town, there is a rule that has kept my friend Jessie and me smiling a lot...you take the buggy with you!  Now some people may laugh because I say buggy, but what is really funny is that you can literally walk out of the store (which is in a mall) out of the mall (which is in a square) and around the town with the dang buggy.  Now I know you're next question, where do you bring said buggy?  That's what is even funnier, you simply leave it around town "in a parking lot, parking garage, sidewalk, park area" said the lovely cashier at the Pick 'n Pay.  And so we have.  Many, many times.  We even ride in carts around the town for fun in all of our free time   when we are trying to be a good Samaritan and at least make the 'drop off spot' closer to the actual store.  

Our local staff is amazing!!!  We had them do a cultural presentation and I will have to post videos...amazing is an understatement.  


Last night was my first World Cup game ever & I was privileged to have amazing seats to the France v. Uruguay game here in Cape Town.  We were sitting with all of the players wives and girlfriends, and needless to say, I was having a better time watching them and admiring the amazing shoes, clothes & jewelry than the game itself.  We made friends with their 'keeper' and she did not do a good job of keeping their whereabouts a secret, because I can tell you their travel itinerary for the next week.  Good thing I am a nice person :)


Anyway, we're off and running today and things are great! Sorry for my crazy random post and I promise to make more posts more frequently.  Miss you all back home....