some of my favorite pictures so far

If you don't know that I love taking and looking at photographs, you probably don't know me all too well. So in keeping with my new blogging tradition of posting lists of favorite things, I thought I'd post some of my favorite pictures from my experience here so far. See below for captions, photo credit, and explanations.

I am not sure who took this photo, but I know it was on my friend Emily's big, beautiful camera. This picture was taken before going out for Loreal's (the one in the dress) 21st birthday. I think I love this picture because I love everyone in it so much and feel so blessed to have been placed with them in our apartment together for the semester.

Arianna took this picture of me at the Zulu dancing fiasco outside of Durban. It was one of the most absurd situations of my whole life, and I could not stop laughing the whole time. I am pictured in a Zulu hut...and I think my sheer amusement is captured here. 

I took this picture of Loreal on a horse on her birthday. She decided that this would be a perfect way for all of us to celebrate her big day. It could not have been a more perfect day, and it was amazing seeing such a good friend totally in her element and so passionate about these animals. 

This picture is of a sign I saw in the Bo Kaap neighborhood of Cape Town. It was not there for any particular reason as far as I know, but I thought it was really interesting given the social history of 

South Africa.

I took this picture of some hippos at a watering hole on my day-long safari with hippos. I fell in love with hippos after this experience, even after learning that if you see a hippo, start praying to God because you will never out-run it. 

I took this picture of my friend Miguel when we were at Robben Island, the prison camp where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years. I love how Miguel looks so tiny compared to Cape Town in the background. I also love how you can see all of Cape Town and our beautiful Table Mountain from that view. Climbing table mountain is on the list of things to do this month.

Another picture from Laura's visit: whale-watching in Hermanus, a town about two hours away from Cape Town. Although the vomiting that was inescapable on the whale-watch was pretty vile, the beautiful whales made the whole experience worth it. I cannot believe I am from Boston and had never been on a whale-watch before this. Whales, in my opinions, are really magical creatures.

This picture is of the changing huts at Muizenberg Beach. My friends and I have taken many trips here by taking the train from the suburb that we live in (Rondebosch). Every time the changing huts make me smile. Muizenberg is known for its surfing and sharks....hence why I have yet to try surfing. 

This picture was also taken in Bo Kaap. It shows a Muslim man in front of one of the many colorfully painted houses. I love it mainly because it reminds me of how diverse South Africa is. Who knew that there would be a huge Muslim population here? These diverse communities exist right next to each other, and the nickname "Rainbow Nation" for South Africa clearly rings true 

based on the incredibly diverse population.

More pictures and the stories that go with them to come later on. Enjoy!