January 7, 2008

Today we packed up our things and headed out of the Breakwater Lodge moving inland from the harbor to the Ruslamere Guest House. But first, after two days of cancellations due to high winds, the weather conditions cleared up and were ready for us to brave the ascent to the top of Table Mountain. 

Often referred to as “Table Top Mountain” by the squash team, Table Mountain reaches about 1000 meters (3000 feet) above sea level and is one of Cape Town’s most beautiful attractions. Thanks to our well connected driver, William, we beat the three hour lines and were escorted right to the base of the cable car station. The cable car was equipped with a rotating floor that did a full 360 degree turn on the way up the mountain so that we were able to get a great view of the mountain, the city of Cape Town, and Lions Head—the smaller mountain nearby.

Stepping into the confined cable car there were mixed feelings of anxiety and excitement. As we reached the top, the anxiety had gone away and we stepped out of the cable car onto a flat mountain peak that gave us the most beautiful view of the Atlantic and Indian Ocean as well as the city of Cape Town. We realized how lucky we were to be looking down on such an incredible place.  From the top of the mountain we were able to see the suburbs surrounding the city, that were filled with tiny little houses and buildings, a view that somewhat resembles that of an airplane approaching the runway. As we finished taking in the view, and the feeling of being on top of the world, we descended down the mountain in the cable car. 

Following Table Mountain, we made a short trip to Signal Hill, historically a warning post to alert the settlers of Africa that sailors had arrived and to bring their goods to sell to the sailors. Today there is a cannon shot daily at noon that symbolizes the history of Signal Hill.

That morning was filled with engaging activities that tested our fear of heights and expanded our brains with information, but the main event of that afternoon was Match No. 2 against Durbanville, the club of our fearless leader, Trevor Davies, better known to the members as “Tricky Trev” for his dying drop shots and devious boasts. Once at the club, we were greeted by some familiar faces from the match against Western Province Cricket Club and a number of new eager looking opponents. The club itself was a facility different from any we had seen before. With an enormous television screen projecting the latest cricket match versus the West Indies, an oak wood bar, a fully stocked kitchen, and a ladies room decorated entirely in purple, Durbanville was much more than a state-of-the-art squash club, but also the social center for all local fans of the game. 

After our opponents were assigned, the games began. One of the most memorable matches was Britt Hebden’s five-gamer where the warm up goggles for the match were a pair of pink tinted 2-0-0-8 New Years Eve sunglasses. Kristen Lange’s games were equally as nail biting, as she took on Trevor in another 5 game match. To both Kristen and Coach Jack’s dismay, Tricky Trev managed to pull through in the clutch. 

The loss was soon forgotten with the overpowering aroma of grilling fish on the outside brick grill just outside. The braae, or what we Americans would call a barbeque, was a feast of salads, pasta dishes, and the local fish called snook. Fair warning was given—snook is a beautiful fish but has many bones still intact making half the fun of our meal feeling out for the bits of bone.

Tummies full and fingers licked, the braae was followed by speeches of appreciation from both teams. The Penn women thanked Durbanville in our own typically boisterous way. Half the girls joined captain Elizabeth’s “Shoshaloza” (South African anthem) with the Durbanville-ites assisting. After a long and eventful day the girls, Jack, Mary, and William pilled into the bus and headed back to our hotel in hopes that the new beds and crisp sheets could rock us to sleep for another busy day tomorrow!

Alisha Turner C’09, Emily Goodwin C’09 & the Penn Women’s Squash Team

January 8, 2008

The final leg of our trip consisted of traveling to the Aquila Game reserve. Not knowing what we were getting into, we awoke very early to be there at prime animal viewing time and before the weather got too hot! 

When we arrived we stopped for a minute to look at the crocodiles, and then hopped in our 15-person jeep with our tour guide. First stop was the watering hole, where we saw three hippos, including one baby! After that we got a visit from a giraffe, who crossed right in front of the jeep! Thinking we were so lucky for getting that close, we had no idea what we were in for later on. 

Running off of our adrenaline from our close encounter with the giraffe, we were extremely excited to see the zebras, who didn't seem to mind us coming in for a close look. Moving along on the tour, two elephants were spotted in the distance. As we watched them play, they came closer and closer until we were about 15 feet away from them. They stopped at a tree, ate bark, and played with each other. At this point, we thought it could get no better. Then we saw water buffalo, who did not enjoy our presence, and made that known through their noises of discontent. 

Taking their warning, we moved along to see Springbok, which are very similar to the gazelle—smaller but very quick with great leaping ability. Our tour guide told us interesting facts about them, such as in their life span of nine years, they do not need to drink water once to survive. Continuing on our journey and learning so much from our tour guide, we were told that rhinos are very difficult to get close to, for they were the most aggressive. However, because of our luck, we were able to get very close to them, without them noticing, for the white rhino can only see up to four meters away, and we were five!

Nearing the end of our tour, we saw ostrich (the second fastest land animal) who apparently can kill a lion with a single kick! Finally, we drove in search of a lion, with our tour guide explaining how rare it was to see them, because this game reserve dedicated 300 acres for the lions to roam. As he guide scanned the mountains for a slight glimpse of a lion, Coach noticed three lions about three meters away! We got to see all of them as they lazed about beneath the shade of a rock. It was incredible to see the lions so close, and our tour guide was just as excited about this chance encounter as we were.

After the game park, we were all exhausted from being in the heat of the sun all day and snacked on a few sandwiches in the pool area of the Aquila Hotel. It was just our luck, yet again, that they happened to be taking the cheetahs out for a stroll around the pool. We all had a chance to play with them for the second time on the trip. After the encounter we made our way back to the campgroud where we would be spending our last night. The “luxury tented camp” was just that and was made up of permanent tents with fancy bathrooms and running water in each one. Just as we were sitting down to a dinner of grilled lamb, chicken and sausage, and a special grilled bread, some of our friends from the Durbanville squash club stopped in to say goodbye! After another great braae (BBQ) many laughs, and even some dancing, 13 tired girls called it a night in our tents beneath the African stars.

The following morning we all sadly packed up our things and made our way to the airport after one final stop at the beach. Our incredible journey ended with flights from Cape Town to Johannesburg, Johannesburg to London, and finally, London to Philly--quite a memorable experience!

Chloe Wynne, C’08, Lauralynn Drury, C’08 & the Penn Women’s Squash Team