The morning I left for university, well, it will forever be permanently ingrained in my memory. It was dark, because my mom and I were catching the early morning flight. As I brought my bags down the stairs, I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. My younger brother emerged, with his eyes half closed, from his room and came downstairs to hug me goodbye. He was crying, which made the tears I had been trying my best to hold back overflow.

I remember looking out at the empty streets along the drive to the airport, the only light being the blinding colours of the green, orange and red of the traffic lights and lights of other vehicles. I had a lot of emotions swirling around in my head. Excitement, nervousness and sadness… it felt like a battle. Not only did I have to say goodbye to my family, but also my boyfriend. My boyfriend and I had decided to try long distance (spoiler alert: we have just celebrated our four year anniversary).

It was just my mom and I flying to Port Elizabeth Airport. My dad stayed behind, because my brother had already started school. On the flight, I remember watching the sun rise, illuminating the fluffy clouds. My mom and I both gazed at them, fascinated by the beauty. When we landed at P.E. airport, it was windy, as usual. My grandparents were waiting outside the door of the arrivals for us. After we arrived, we drove through to Walmer Park shopping centre for some breakfast and also so I could buy some supplies for res. For example, a kettle, laundry basket and laundry detergent to name a few.

We stayed over at my grandparent’s home in Kenton-on-sea. That night I decided to put coconut oil in my hair. I have very frizzy, curly hair so I decided to try and make it look less frizzy for registration photos. Let’s just say, I had to wash it twice to make it less oily. It was not the best confidence boost. The drive to Grahamstown felt long. My grandparents drove my mom and I through to Grahamstown. I was so nervous, my mind was racing with ideas of what it was going to be like once I arrived. I did not know Grahamstown that well at all. The last time I was there I was 16 and I had not taken much in, because the only place I had been to was Revelations restaurant. My impression of Grahamstown at that point in time, was that it is a small town, with not much going on. It seemed peaceful and empty. But let us also keep in mind that this was the middle of December when all the students (both university and school) were on holiday.

As we turned off the N2 highway, we passed the National Settlers monument and the hilltop residences. I looked out the window as we passed the hilltop residences and I somehow had a feeling that one of those could be mine. As we drove further into Grahamstown, my gran began to tell me about some of the old buildings in Grahamstown, giving me an extensive history lesson. But all I could think was that I was never going to know this place and I was going to get hopelessly lost. Little did I know that this small, quirky town would become a second home to me.

It was the 6th of February 2016. A perfectly clear day and it was quite hot. We pulled into Eden Grove (the registration building, also where I would have some of my future classes). Inside Eden Grove it was humming with first year voices and some parents. After all the registering was done, we headed off to my res, Ellen Kuzwayo. Which was, like I predicted, one of the hilltop residences.

There were students outside each res, waving and cheering. It felt like the beginning scene of every American movie where a person goes off to college, I did not think that this actually happened in real life. We drove up the hill to find that my residence was one of the lowest on the hill. It was hidden away at the bottom of a slope. There was a beautiful garden leading down to the doorway. My room was located on the bottom floor, right next to the warden. After doing lots of unpacking and sorting, I had my room ready, but it still did not feel like my own. I think it was because I did not have many decorations or any photos up.

My fear of coming to Grahamstown and not making any friends was squandered quickly once I realised that everyone was in the same boat that I was. I made four friends that day in my res, two of which are my closest friends until this day. That night, our house committee members (a group of students who help organise activities for the res and work with the warden) took us out to the Rat and Parrot. Now, I am sure that most people who live in South Africa are familiar with Rhodes having a bit of a reputation for being a party university. So let me just say this… the rumours…are true (maybe). There most definitely is a drinking culture at the university, but it is not compulsory to partake, obviously.

Back to the Rat and Parrot. I was quite overwhelmed when I first got there. The pub was packed to the brim, you could hardly move as you entered. Later, I would discover that the pizza that they serve there, is some of the best I have ever had (I highly recommend the Bacovian!). The air was thick with the smell of cigarette smoke, I only knew the two people I was with. It was loud and difficult to hear people talk. We eventually left the Rat and went to Friar Tucks, also known as Friars or the underbelly of Grahamstown. People were stumbling in and out of the club. Once we entered, I was hit with the sound of the base. People were crowded everywhere. The dance floor was packed. Coloured lights shone from the DJ booth, illuminating the crowd below. Space was so limited that there was no way to avoid not bumping into people or having your feet trodden on. I had never been one to feel claustrophobic, but this definitely brought that feeling about.

So if you are ever passing through Grahamstown and you are looking to have a good time, the Rat and Parrot is a great place to go for pizza, drinks and also to meet up with friends. Friar Tucks is a place to go to if you want to go dance to forget about your worries.

After spending nearly a full four years here, I can say that Grahamstown has woven its pothole-filled roads into my heart. The town has many problems, such as lack of water and recently many power outages, but it has been a place where I have learnt a lot about myself. A place where I have become more of my own person. If I had stayed in Pretoria, I would have not been able to break out of my city bubble. It has not only been this town that has changed me, but also the people I have met along my journey. I have met some of the most interesting people who all have such unique stories to tell. Despite all its quirks, Grahamstown has become a home to me, a home that I miss when I go back to the busy city.