3.....2.....1......BLASTOFF!!

Well, our time here in Cape Town has come to a close. We are at home right now, waiting for our housemate to pick us up to head to the airport for our departure. We are headed to Eugene (via Portland) for the next couple of weeks, and then.... drum-roll please..... we are moving to Vancouver, BC (assuming jobs and a place to sleep work out). I have compiled a list of things we will miss, and things we are psyched about, in moving.

Things we will miss:
1. Our wonderful digsmates.
2. The amazing friends that we met. Some have been through work, and most through diving, but they all are SO great.
3. Braais - an American BBQ just isn't quite the same.
4. The WEATHER. It is beautiful! And it is SUMMER here.
5. Beaches. I think this almost goes along with the weather, but also includes having the sea within a 10 minute drive.
6. Table Mountain and Lion's Head. Both stunning, and both can be viewed from our house!
7. Being able to go out, have a raucous night, and an excellent dinner, and come home, having spent only $15. I think things will change in Vancouver.
8. The accent.
9. Kalk Bay. On the False Bay side of the peninsula, Kalk Bay has not only beautiful beaches, but also has warm (ok - warmer) water. On the Atlantic Side, the water is frequently about 50'F, which - just FYI - is really really cold to swim in).
10. The mix of cultures and religions surrounding us. And most people here are SO nice!


Things we are SUPER excited about:
1. Being much much closer to family. Vanessa's (Seb's sister's) baby is on the way!! We've seen pictures, and it is such an huge event to look forward to! -And in my family, the kids are all growing up way too quickly to be further than a phone call away!
2. Friends!! Our friends here are so, so wonderful, but it just hasn't been the same without our friends back home! We have been missing you so! It will be so nice to catch up.
3. New beginnings. Even though our plan is to move to a new country (Canada), we are still excited about the prospect of moving to a place that is at least very familiar to home.
4. The mountains. I LOVE, Love, love the mountains of the Northwest!
5. Winter! Although people are going to tell me not to complain (and I am not, mind you), THREE summers in a row is going to make me look for winter even more. I look forward so much to a little snowboarding.
6. The internet. We hesitate to include this among a list of friends and natural phenomena, but seriously..... it is super expensive for us to have it at home, and even then it is through our phone, which means that it charges per data transfer, and that is not cool.
7. Better drivers. I swear to anyone who will listen that drivers here are CRAZY! Forget about Massholes..... South Africans definitely have them beat.
8. Napoleon (Sebastien's dog)!!!

Take care. We look forward to talking with you!!!!

We are on the plane NOW!