Sabrah in the World: Leaving Cape Town and arrival in Vienna

So I left Cape Town on July 15 2010 to attend the 18th International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria.
The time up to leaving was hectic, not only did I have to pack all my stuff and ship the stuff I couldn't fit :) - I also had to say goodbye to all my lovely friends in Cape Town, which was a little hard with all the practical stuff I had to do. All in all, I didnt really want to leave, so that was extra stressfull on top of it all. I will start by explaining what I did my last days in Cape Town, as I tried to make a list of practical things I had to finish, and a list of personal things I wanted to experience or accomplish. This was all before Vienna of course, which was an agenda on its own :)

Beautiful Cape Town from Lion's head

My personal list was about seeing friends,climbing Lion's Head, taking some time off work to chill, and so on. I managed to Climb Lion's Head, and that was quite funny, I'm glad I managed to do it. And I got to spend time with friends meanwhile. A certain point during the hike, we had to choose whether to go the " recommended" path, or climb up a chain, pulling yourself up in your arms. As I was told I couldn't do it, I got stubborn and wanted to try that one :) It went fine on the going up, but coming down I experienced something funny. I made it down with the chain to the first platform, and going down to the second platform, I couldn't place my feet properly, and I just started laughing, whereas I was told not to let go with my hands - I didn't, but it was just a funny moment. It never turned dangerous -just funny :) In that same moment, however, I got a little sad, because I realized it was time to leave. The last day at my office was also sad, I had to say goodbye to my good friend Thabi, and I handed out gifts to the rest of the staff. I was going to see most of them in Vienna, but saying goodbye to Thabi was hard. I had been teary my last days in Cape Town. Going to the gym for the last time was another weird feeling. Lastly, as the weather was quite bad ( ie. raining and 6-7 degrees, Cape Town winter) a poor pigeon had appearantly seeked shelter on my balcony, but unfortunately, it died there. I noticed it out there, and did not think it was a good thing to leave for the next tenant, but yet, I was too afraid to move it. This happened the same week I saw a cockroach on my stairs to the house! Yuck, I never saw any cockroaches, and then it happens the same week a dead pigeon shows up on my balcony! I had a good friend removing it for me, I just couldn't do it, the eyes of the pigeon had even turned white.. I felt sorry for the poor bird seeking shelter from the rain, only to die :(

The sign showing which route to take ( Lion's Head)

World Cup was over, my stay was over, etc etc, it all went by to fast....The day I had to leave my housemate Anthony didn't think it was that soon, and I postponed the cab supposed to pick me up at my home, since I wasn't ready :) When we arrived at the airport, he said I owed him 140 rand, and I was surprised, as I was told my work would take care of it. I called the office, and Thabi said I shouldn't pay. Then I went to check in, and they needed to see my credit card that I purchased my ticket with, but that one got stolen. Then they needed a police statement saying so, but I was already at the airport and needed to leave, so they found another way to let me pass, luckily. So I was finally on my way, teary every second, I even made airport staff ensuring me I would come back. Well, enjoy the pics from my goodbye week below, and the Vienna update will follow on my next post :) I should also make a post on the World Cup as I got to experience it up close - that will follow sometime after I'm done updating on my life until now :)

Pictures from climbing Lion's Head July 13 2010