Blake Tyra's South Africa Study Abroad Blog: January 2015

Wednesday, January 28th, 2015

11:00 pm South Africa Standard Time

Hello all,

Throughout yesterday and today, I have been making my way to South Africa. After the 2 hour flight to DC, 5 hour layover there and 18 hour flight to Johannesburg, I am only one flight away from making it to Port Elizabeth. Our plane flies out at 10:45am tomorrow, so we are staying in a hotel tonight. My roommate for tonight, Titus, and I are settled in our room for the evening hoping to get some sleep as our internal clocks are still adjusting.

Our hotel is attached to the airport, so it was very convenient after we got our bags and we don’t need to worry about travel time for our flight tomorrow. After settling in and a quick shower, our local guide Vusi, a SCSU alum, took us to the Emperor's Palace Resort & Casino via shuttle bus. Although the entire place was a tourist trap, it made me feel like a million bucks. Almost Vegas style. Ted, Gabe and I went to a south African Steakhouse and tried a variety of South African animals. I had an ostrich burger, which was excellent. A bit of a gamy taste, but it was lean and had a mouthwatering flavor. After dinner, Ted and I went to the casino and tried our hand at blackjack before meeting back up with the group. I came out 100 Rand (>$10) ahead and Ted 250 Rand (>$25) ahead. We had a blast playing and it paid for our dinners and then some. Looking forward to keeping this winning streak going in Port Elizabeth...yeah right.

I should take a minute to talk about my fantastic group. There are 13 of us all from St. Cloud State. Austin and Natalie are graduate students going to NMMU for an internship and to complete their masters degree. They both have been to South Africa for a short trip during their undergrad and are leading the way for us and keeping things smooth with their beneficial travel tips. Ted and Kayela are both sophomores. Kayela went to South Africa last year as a freshman on a spring break trip and had to come back this year for the full semester. Erin, Gabe, Tamarah, Angela, Lily, Titus, McKenna, Rachel and myself are all freshman in the First Year Experience program. Together we took a special Ethnic studies class that prepared us to study abroad in either South Africa or Malaysia. I have no regrets thus far with my decision. Our group all gets along and no one is left out or a loner. I already know we are all going to experience the time of our life together.

Tomorrow morning we fly out for Port Elizabeth, an hour and 40 minute flight to the eastern cape. We will then move into our rooms at the Summerstrand Inn and have the rest of the day to adjust and explore the city.

I want to say thank you to my parents, entire family, and SCSU faculty for their unconditional support on my choice to take this adventure. I am already having a blast and am looking forward to all that lies ahead of me. I am grateful to you all for the support, advice and sacrifices you have made to help me along to make this study abroad dream a reality.

With gratitude,

Blake

The 13 of us ready to depart the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport