A walk in my shoes: Easter Weekend

Easter weekend was quite the success. It was SOO nice having a 4 day weekend and it was very hard waking up this morning to go to work. That is partially the reason we got there at 9 instead of the usual 8:15ish...but seemed to be that way with almost everybody :] Yesterday we went into Cape Town and spent the day there. Left here around 9 and didn't get back home till around 11:30 so it was a long day. Jennifer, Kim, Ivan and myself drove into Cape Town to go see Robben Island. That is where the prison is and where Nelson Mandela was held for many years. So we did some sight seeing on the way to Cape Town and I'm really not exaggerating when I say no matter where you go here, you are greeted with absolutely beautiful scenes. So naturally we acted like complete tourists and jumped out of the car to take pictures!

So to get out to Robben Island you have to take a ferry that takes about 20 minutes. We got on last so we had to spread out and sit in the main level inside. Ivan and me found two seats together and after 10 minutes the rockin of the boat was getting to me. Usually I don't get sea sick..even the times I've gone deep sea fishing it hasn't bothered me but naturally the day we have to sit inside the sea is ROUGH. The swells were quite large and at one point I told Ivan I think the ferry might tip. It felt like we were on a roller coaster for a good majority of the time which was alot of fun...but just added to my nautiousness. (yep just made up that word.) Well we finally get there and go on the tour around the island. It was cool to see and hear the different things. Saw where the prisoners dug in the limestone quarry. They told us that the dust from the limestone caused lung damage and the stone is so bright in direct sunlight that it caused permanent eye damage. That is why when you take a picture of Nelson Mandela, no flash is allowed. fun little fact. We also found out on our little tour that at one point there was a leper colony on the island as well. People who were in Cape Town that had leprosy would be taken away from their families and sent to Robben Island to live with other lepers, quite sad really. If you ever come to Cape Town it's worth a trip out there. When we went into the maximum security prison we were greeted by our new tour guide who was actually an ex prisoner and he showed us his cell and that alone made me much more engaged because he wasn't just some other tour guide. So at one point he just said alright question time, ask me anything! During that time we found out that while being held, one of his friends was tortured* to death by the security. After, he made a statement that he used the word tortured for a reason. He said physical punishment happened alot but 'the first 6 months he was there were the most difficult because of the torture, things would happen that shouldn't be talked about on a daily basis'. He said in the 60's and 70's violence between the guards and prisoners was an everyday occurrence. After that we walked the halls and saw different things including Nelson Mandela's cell.

So my Robben Island experience was good. On the way back to Cape Town I made sure we got back sooner and got on the ferry first to get to the top deck. Mission accomplished and the ride back was much better. plus the view and the sunset on the ocean was amazing. We ended our day with a movie we have all been waiting to come out here. We FINALLY got to see the Hunger Games. It was really good but naturally the book was better. && that was my adventure in Cape Town, hope you enjoyed reading about it. Here are a few of the 270 pictures we took yesterday, no exaggeration there.

ENJOY. Miss yall back home, a few more than others ;) haha

(click them to make bigger)

photoshoot begins.

me and j.love

us && Kim

beautiful.

ivan.me.jennifer.kim

this picture sums up our relationship...but really.(thats a straw in my mouth, I chew on them alot)

3 musketeers.

&& this picture sums up our relationship. jennifer standing awkwardly..me obviously not knowing whats going on and Ivan focused and smiling for the picture. haha