At the start of July, I ventured to Cape Town, where I celebrated a very special time-my one year anniversary for living in South Africa. I attended a 10 day, silent meditation retreat and explored the big city on the coast.
Once my flight arrived in Cape Town, I took a scenic drive in the mountains. With baboons passing the roadside, I relaxed into my usual self chatting with a new friend, who volunteered to lift me to the Vipassana Meditation center located in Worcester, a rural setting 2 hours from city center.
That evening segregated by sex in our eating quarters, new students nervously giggled in groups over our first prepared vegetarian dish. 
One woman questioned whether she was, “the only oldie” of our bunch. 75 years wise, Ida and I immediately bonded. That evening, at the sound of the 9pm gong, we all began our vow to live in noble silence without voice, gesturing or making eye contact with other participants. Reading, writing, exercise, or activity in other hobbies was also not permitted. At the female entrance to the meditation hall, I boldly smiled to myself, unaware what exactly was this something new, I then sauntered into the dark, subtle lighted room and took my seat legs crossed on the royal blue cushions. Ahead of me nobly sat the two assistant teachers that would guide our learning’s. After our sessions we followed the moonlit sky to our chalets. I choose a cot next to Ida, and nightly I fastened myself in my sleeping bag and slowly drifted off to sleep after thoroughly pondering the lifestyle I had accepted.
The next 10 days, I would follow a rigorous routine beginning with a morning wake at 4:30a for a meditation session, then after: breakfast, a short rest, group meditation session in hall, own meditation session, lunch, short rest, own mediation session, group meditation, own meditation, dinner, group meditation, night discourse, and then a final meditation closing at 9:30p. Bells and gongs signify time elapse and the start and close of the 2 hour meditation sittings.
With our living spot surrounded by miraculous nature, I negotiated devoting my days to the draining activity as it would be rewarded with walking the outdoors for a few hours anonymous (a rarity in the village). As we dished our meals of stew and salad spiced just right, I found it difficult holding back from a second helping. Served breakfast, lunch, and then 5p last meal of popcorn and fruit, I savored the flavors and sitting by myself either inside or by mid day ogling the multicolored land and sky.
With each day’s sensations, peace, tears, and teaching, the inner learning became more apparent. I know that I have surely gained a valuable tool that is helping me to be a more reflective and less reactive person. At the closing of our 10 days, participants were given time to talk with each other before leaving the center. Our group of women from all walks of life, giggled over the weeks challenges and obsessions to the extent of headache.
The next morning, I 
received transport from a group of Capetonian girls to my Cape Town central backpackers and quickly returned to a world of sound and first-world normalcy. The girls blared old-school tunes and we sang along to Alanis Morsette and Little Mermaid, stopping at the nearest Shell gas station to grab junk snacks, cold drink and chow down on all our cravings. 
With the news of my parents visit to South Africa in December, I was under little pressure to attend to all the gobs of touristy activity the area breathes, and rather traipsed the city shops by day with coffee in hand and hanging out with the new friends I had met from the retreat in the eve. Venturing around Cape Town the next few days was invigorating.
An 
afternoon at Ida’s waterfront flat, listening to French music and eating quiche, engaged in heavy genuine conversation with new friends, and then Mexican eats, Mojito drinks, live music, and dancing nights. A celebration of all sorts!
