National Arts Festival

The National Arts Festival in Grahamstown is the second largest arts festival in the entire world, but the largest in the southern hemisphere. I had no idea that Grahamstown’s slow, college-town atmosphere into a bustling and hectic festival!
I have to admit that at first, I was a bit put off by the swarms of people that have flocked to Grahamstown, but I have begun to embrace it. It did not help that my friend’s purse was stolen the first night back! We have been warned of the increase in petty theft, but we had no idea that it could actually happen to us! But although it now takes half an hour to eat at the restaurants, not to mention that its almost completly impossible to walk down the street, I am enjoying the shows and art exhibits that take place from dawn to dusk.
This place is filled to the brim with lots of different kinds of people. The regulars at the bars and clubs have been displaced by people from every corner of the world, and I for one, am enjoying the new influx of people.
Many of my friends, who are students at Rhodes, are seeing the plays that they have written and directed come to fruition. I have been trying to attend at least one performance per day, or at least attend a film festival or art exhibition. I feel pressed to get the most out of my days because I can feel “the end” upon me. Obviously, I have mixed emotions about going back home but I refuse to say goodbye to any of my friends before I really have to! I can feel the last days and weeks making a permanent impression on my mind as they happen- last chicken mayo sandwich, last brunch at Mad Hatter’s, last cellphone minutes, and I can feel myself already missing things despite the fact that I am still here! But for every cloud there is a silver lining, I have learned a lot about myself through learning about South Africa, I’ve realized that I am a lot stronger that I thought I could be in almost every aspect. I’ll never forget the people I have met, and I’m pretty much determined to find a way back here!