CapeTown Day 2, 3 & good byes...

As if day 1 wasn't amazing enough we still have 3 more days in Cape Town. Everyone warned me I would not want to go back and I'm starting to believe them.

Day 2!
After waking up to this...  <3

We took a 45 min drive to the south-most point in continental Africa, which is Cape Point.

It was a windy day but beautiful views everywhere. What was also really exciting was to find a large group of south americans touring the site. It was definitely nice to listen to my mother language.

We spend our entire day visiting all these beautiful natural places that sorround Cape Town. It will make you think you died and went to heaven :)

Later that night we went to this small restaurant in the city called The Bombay Bicycle Club. The decoration and the mood was incredible. You would have to see it to understand because I can't put it in words. That place is so much fun!  Here is a picture of how our night started. ;)

Fun times with the crew!!!!!

Day 3!

Early in the morning we checked out, but before we headed out we had to take a final picture of the view from the Ambassador Hotel in Camp Bay.

We went to the Old Buiscuit Mill, which is the most amazing farmers' market I've been to so far.  The food, arts & crafts were amazing. It is very refreshing to get organic food and natural wood smell early in the morning.

 After the market, we drove to Franschhoek, the wine country 45 min away from Cape Town, where we would stay for our third and last night.

The gardens and small town down there are so pretty but the best part was the amazing wines we got to taste. We had to buy a couple of bottles after experiencing those unique flavors ;) haha

Later that night we headed to our hotel, which is absolutely beautiful. It is by far the coziest one we have stayed in. Here is a picture of how we spent our night. :)



Last day...

Our plane leaves early in the afternoon. But we wouldn't leave before making a last stop to admire the scenery in Franschhoek, so we spent our last day in this (very dutch) house that dated back to 1800. Perfect way to finish a trip, relaxing, and drinking a glass of wine.



I can't say we were ready to go back to Durban, but we have a busy work week ahead. Yes... we do also work around here ;)

Off to Cape Town!!!!! DAY 1

After the shortest week at work (Tuesday & Wednesday) the exciting trip to Cape Town arrives!!!! Early Thursday morning we departed from Durban with the best group of people you could ever imagine. It was 6am and we were already laughing till it hurt. I'm sure we woke up everyone on the flight to C-town...

After getting our rental car at the airport we headed to the pier to board a ferry that would take us to Robben Island, the maximum security prison where Nelson Mandela was kept for 18 years.

A place with so much history in it I wouldn't know where to begin. But here is a small summary of the story behind the island. 

 "Since the Dutch settled at the Cape in the mid-1600s, Robben Islandhas been used primarily as a prison.

Indigenous African leaders, Muslim leaders from the East Indies, Dutch and British soldiers and civilians, women, and anti-apartheid activists, including South Africa's first democratic President, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and the founding leader of the Pan Africanist Congress, Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, were all imprisoned on the Island. 

Robben Island has not only been used as a prison. It was a training and defence station in World War II (1939-1945) and a hospital for people with leprosy, and the mentally and chronically ill (1846-1931). In the 1840s, Robben Island was chosen for a hospital because it was regarded as both secure (isolating dangerous cases) and healthy (providing a good environment for cure). During this time, political and common-law prisoners were still kept on the Island. As there was no cure and little effective treatment available for leprosy, mental illness and other chronic illnesses in the 1800s, Robben Island was a kind of prison for the hospital patients too."

Source: http://robben-island.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9&Itemid=46

But before we boarded the ferry... a couple of pictures:

 The clock tower at the pier.

David, Leanne, Tingting and I with the ferry on the background.

A very Dutch looking pier... and the elephant giving it the African touch.

This is the first look of the maximum security prison in Robben Island. Although it doesn't actually look like maximum security, the walls surrounding the actual buildings are thick stone and rise high. (like you would need them being in an island surrounded by freezing waters infested by great white sharks).

I wouldn't go for a swim if you know what I mean.

 Some of the things that went on the island, such as forced labor mining limestone, which permanently damaged the eyes of everyone who worked there, are shocking and unforgivable.

A look inside of a hallway of one of the many blocks in the maximum security prison.

This was Nelson Mandela's actuall cell for 18 years.  (block B) A room smaller than the dog kennels they installed to increase security. The conditions these prisoners were kept in were inhumane to say the least.

This is an example of the Identification cards prisoners carried.

This is Tingting with our tour guide who is an ex-prisoner. He shared one year of his term with Nelson Mandela and got to actually talk to him. He is a joy to talk to. One would never imagine all the amazing stories he has to share (and how his friendly spirit was untouched even after going through such hard times).

Here is a picture of the conditions that were actually the "improved" ones. Before these beds, prisoners slept on the floor over a mat.

The visit to the island definitely gives you a different perspective of life. I was particularly impressed with how people came together to bring apartheid down and how ever since South Africa became proud of its diversity, which in turn created unity. Definitely a lesson to be learned all over the world.

On a different note...

Later that day we went up to the top of Table Mountain (named that way for its completely flat survace at the top). HOW LUCKY!!! The view from the Cape was absolutely stunning. I can't put it in words, so let me show you instead.

View from the top of Table Mountain.

More of the amazing view. Tingting, Leanne and I.

After that amazing experience we went to 12 Apostels for a couple of cocktails and the sunset view.

The group again! Drinking our Mojitos with the great ocean view in the background.

We did all this in one day!!! What an experience!!! I will update you on the rest of our trip in the upcoming posts.

Cheers!!!

where we left off...

Soooooo much went on in the last few days. So this will be a long one... bare with me.


Wednesday Night...

Cindie and her husband took us to the casino where we ate at this amazing restaurant called Aqua. The food was great!!! And the restaurant decoration was very original.

We later on played a little bit. Lets just say noone hit the jackpot but it was so much fun. Can't wait to go back hopefully with better luck ;)

Friday Night...

Sara, one of the girls I work with, took me to a fashion show that took place inside the horse racetrack "Greyville"  venue here in Durban. Needless to say Greyville is beautiful (like apparently everything around here).

A race was actually taking place and I got to see some of the champions parade around.



Saturday...

It was an early start... At 6 am Tingting and I drove up to Hillcrest to the Farmers' Market. The view from the ride was incredible and if I hadn't been driving I would have taken a thousand pictures.

At the market we got to have hot chocolate and pancakes for breakfast. Yum!!! We sampled around 10 different treats and bought a couple things.

I was amazed with the creativity behind the arts and crafts that were on display. Too bad I only get to take two siutcases back to the US.



Later on Angela took us to the Phezulu Game Park. What an great experience.

Here is a picture of Tingting with the view in the background.

The view from there is breathtaking but the best part is that our tour guide walked us through the details of how tribes used to live in South Africa.

For example, men could have up to 20+ wifes if they could afford it. 11 cows for a wife got gifted to the brides family... I guess those were good times for men??? haha SORRY GUYS!!! you get just one for now.

We also got to experience a dance. Here is a picture of us with the performers. Cool outfits :P

There is another side to the reserve...

After the dances and tours we went to see some of the animals.. We got to hold some snakes and see huge crocodiles.

The reserve offers a Fear Challenge where they serve you lunch inside of the crocodiles' cage... I'm still not sure if they ment that they would serve us lunch...or the crocodiles. Haha

We decided not to participate cause we weren't THAT hungry ;)

Take a look at this picture and you might understand why...

Sunday...

Cindie took us to Element, a restaurant by the beach.   Food+View= Perfection

Later on we went to a bar "The George" to celebrate a national holliday Youth Day. As soon as we get back to the US I will propose we start celebrating it there too ;)

The local drink of my preference... Savanah OMG... that's it.

Here is a picture of us at the restaurant...  and the view on the following one.

Cindie, Tingting, and I





Monday...

Cindie took us for a boat ride in the morning. Awesome experience. In not sure they should call this "winter"... "mild-summer" might be more suitable.

The ride was great.. a little bumpy at the beggining. Scott (Cindie's husband) showed us the shark nets around the beach. I was hopping we would get to see dolphins but they weren't cooperating that day -.-

We do have 8 more weeks to go...

Right before sundown Gabby (friend from work) took me to the Lighthouse  Bar to get some cocktails. I might sound like a broken record but... OMG THE VIEW.

MY NEW FAVORITE SPOT....

Durban is paradise, but it still wouldn't be the same without all this amazing people taking such good care of us. We have big big big plans ahead and I can't wait to share them with all of you here.

Again a BIG THANK YOU to Mr. Price Group and everyone involved in making this the most amazing internship.

Recomendation to the 2015 MBA Class: WORK HARD TO GET THIS INTERNSHIP...

hard work... work hard

It's the middle of the week and I'm glad to report that I already finished TWO projects ;) aaah the perks of being used to task-overload.

So for the rest of the week I have some very exciting things planned. I am putting my Supply Chain Management knowledge to the test by creating a detail extensive data base for Mr. Price. I can't wait to analize it and see what usefull information I can find.

Let's get on it...

1 week is gone...

I can't believe it's been one whole week since we first arrived to this beautiful country. It has been a very exciting work week. I am helping Mr. Price hands-on with their international expansion future plans, and it feel great to know that my stay here will not only allow me to grow as a professional but it will also leave a footprint in a top five rated enterprise.

The bar is set high... so it's up to me to work hard and not only meet the expectations but exceed them ;)

On a more relaxing note... WHAT A WEEKEND!!! Friday was a short day at work because the HR team had the annual HR party scheduled for the night. We had dinner and an award ceremony where Tingting and I were officially welcomed to the team. It felt great to realize how appreciated we are here, and it was very refreshing to realize how proud everyone is to work at Mr. Price Group.

These little guys were the awards given to one of our fav. Justin! Congrats :)

Rugby Game!   Italy (blue) Vs. South Africa (white & green)

Saturday was great!!! Cindie picked us up from our flat and took us to our FIRST RUGBY GAME!!!! It was so exciting. I can compare the atmosphere to a Homecoming Razorback's game! There is tailgating involved, lots of food and game-faces are ON. South Africa's national team, the Springboks, played against Italy! Needless to say, we won 44 to 10!!! Go Springboks!!!! The icing on the cake was that we got to watch the game first-class-style at Mr. Price's box were they catered a buffet and offered an open bar. :D What more can you ask for?

Cindie, Myself, and Tingting outside the stadium. Home of the Sharks (Durban's local rugby team)

Watching the game from the Box!!! We are the lucky ones! ;)

Can wait to see what new challenges and adventures this week brings...now back to work!!! Cheers!!!

The challenge...

Ok.. I got the driving on the other side down, but got very much lost on my way to work this morning. Let's just say that the 20 min drive took me 1 hour... On the bright side, I got a 40 min tour of downtown Durban, and met a lot of strangers at the lights trying to get directions.

I have to say though, waking up to this view every morning makes getting lost in the city a very minor issue. :)

First day at the office...

My first day at the office was great! As soon as we arrived at Mr. Price's office we were introduced to the most amazing group of people. Here at the office everyone is very welcoming. Our pictures were taken and distributed to the entire office so we were instantly greeted with smiles and welcoming words everywhere we went. Everybody knows us around here J

The office by itself is great. It is situated in conjunction to a bus and train station which makes it seem like a maze. It is beautifully decorated with young and hip messages on the walls as well as pictures that make this work environment very refreshing.

We received a bag of gifts, our laptops, cell phones, key chains with building access disks, and our car keys…to a manual car that has the steering wheel on the opposite side… challenge accepted!

During the day we met with our respective division managers who gave us a quick review of the projects we would take over in the next few weeks.

The office is great! The people are great!!!!

Getting to beautiful Durban, South Africa...

I don't know where to start. It's been only  one day since I got to Durban, South Africa to work for Mr. Price Group and I already have a thousand things to say about this experience (ALL GREAT).

I was so excited about this trip since I heard Tingting (my MBA classmate) and I got the internship that packing started a week before the actual flight. I can say that packing for 10 weeks in one suitcase was a challenge by itself, although Tingting must have mastered this art since she got a small siutcase (relative to mine).

The actual 35 hour trip was very close to torture but the reward has been unbeliavable. Cindie and her husband were so kind to pick us up from the airport in Durban. You can already feel it in the South African air, people here are extremely kind and welcoming. I cannot explain with words how nice they have been to us since the moment we set foot in this country.

As we drove from the airport the most beautiful sugar cane plantations accompanied the highway all the way to the place were our flat was located. WHAT A VIEW!!! both of our rooms have a balcony with ocean view. It is breathtaking... Mr. Price has stocked our fridge with some food already and got us welcoming gifts, including beach towels!!! :D LIFE IS GOOD!

After what seamed the best shower of my life, Wendie took us for a tour of Umhlanga. The place is beautiful and surrounded by restaurants, shopping malls and the beach. We couldn't ask for a better location to spend the next 10 weeks. The weather, eventhough it's winter, is perfect.

I can't wait for the next couple of days, meet everyone at the office and continue this amazing journey. I want to quickly thank everyone who was involved in getting us here, the MBA program, UofA career center, the Center for Retailing Excelence, and Mr. Price Group. Thank you to everyone who made this possible. THANK YOU!

Here is a picture of my room with the beautiful beach in the background. Many more pictures to come...