Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. ~marcel proust~

What a joy people are. I love food, a personal accomplishment, a beautiful sight or an exciting challenge, but what gives all these things colour is the interactions with others during such pursuits. I have been so blessed with the people I am able to interact daily with here in Cape Town. The interns: At first, I was determined to distance myself from the other interns. Although we all come from different countries and are working at unique job placements, I didn’t want anything anchoring me to a label as ‘tourist,’ ‘foreigner’ or the very worst…’American’ ; ) There’s about five apartment style houses throughout Cape Town and 50 interns total. After I got off the plane at 11:30 pm, jet lagged, hungry, and giddy the first night, I ran into some of them going to Stones (a pool bar with half price beers on Wednesday!). Even though they didn’t cut the local label I was searching for, I couldn’t resist going out and downloading about my flight and first impressions of SA. From that night on, I realized I had met a very amazing group of people.

High tea at the Nelson Mandela Hotel with some of my very stylish intern friends ; )

Everyone has come here to invest in a career they feel passionately about- whether that be international law, medicine, film, marketing, social work or financing, each has a story that intrigues and inspires. Ester is from Belgium and is studying international law in Cape Town while interning at a refugee centre. She was the first to show me around the city (the fateful sunburn initiation day) and I’ve learned so much from her about being graceful in difficult situations and since she is a bit of a wine snob, I’v likewise developed a more sophisticated taste for the fermented grape . Kristy is from Singapore, went to school at NYU, was a competitive Latin dancer, and later worked on Wall Street as a banker. Now she researches policies that alleviates poverty in SA and scuba dives with me on the weekends: ) Precious is from New Orleans and has just been offered a yearlong job with the organization she is working for here. Precious is my American friend when we need to talk loud and eat lots and reassure each other that America isn’t as bad as everyone says. I could write pages about all the other interns, the adventures I’ve had with them, and how amazing they all are- but in conclusion I love my experience as an individual and as part of this incredible group.

some of my dearest friends from Singapore, Belgium and New Orleans

The locals: When it comes to locals there are huge discrepancies in background, race, and economic status. Regardless though, I thrive and live for every interaction good, bad, interesting, awkward or incredible. Afrikaners are from Dutch decent and were the first Europeans to settle in SA. I know how they put up such a fierce fight against the British during the Boer wars now. They are survivors for sure but can come across as a bit abrupt or rude. I’ve really started to appreciate the ones I come in contact with however. Cobus is Afrikaans and is a taxi driver. It’s not safe to take the train after dark so Cobus and I have become quite good friends since he gives me a ride, the inside scoop on Cape Town news, and antidotes from his personal life fairly often. The vendors are also some of my favourite people. Always ready to sell something but also up just for a little chat, my vendor friends have perfected my bargaining skills, and ability to strike up a conversation any time of the day.

These girls were born in Botswana but now live in Canada but have German citizenship!

Co-workers: I am so blessed that I get to invest in the people and product of one small seed. From 9-5 every day I am with creative minds and although the team is small, we get life done! This morning the Editor-in-Chief/founder Giuseppe was interviewed on the radio and we enjoyed a little break as we huddled around the speakers to listen to him. The publication is going through some changes concerning productions which allow me to be part of transitions and decision making, making work interesting. I feel like there is the right balance of professionalism and familiarity at work and it’s been an ideal environment to grow as a journalist.

Devils peak hike wasn’t as productive as I had hoped

There is countless interactions routine and spontaneous that I could talk about but in respect to room and the patient reader who has read this far, I will save those stories for another time. here are some links to some of the stories I’ve published http://www.onesmallseed.com/2013/02/passionate-art-interview-with-anwar-davids/ http://www.onesmallseed.com/2013/01/inked-skin-deep-2013-cape-town-tattoo-convention-makes-permanent-impression/ http://www.onesmallseed.com/2013/01/through-rose-glasses-paris-caught-in-coloured-past/

just another day in Cape Town

Scuba diving at the beach! So incredible and something I want to keep doing for the rest of my life

A classic dance moves by some friends

at the train station entertaining on a Sunday afternoon

beer after a day of diving with friends = <3

I want to have a good body but I love food more

Nothing like a classy bar after a hard day of eating sweets and treats