In honor of all of the food I’ve eaten and drinks I’ve drank and time I’ve spent with my classmates in Cape Town, this is what I think each student would be if they were a food or drink I’ve had here thus far:
Emaan: Magic rings. Emaan is the sweetest girl in the world, but she also has a fiery passion that I’ve seen come out as we work on our film project and reflect on our time here. Magic rings are sweet & sour and you always find yourself coming back for more. It’s a perfect match!
Nardeen: A lamb chop from Atlantic Express. Nardeen never fails to make me laugh. Don’t put me and her next to each other because we would riff forever and ever and ever. A lamb chop is a very homey meal to me, one that leaves me deeply satisfied afterwards. That’s how I feel after laughing with Nardeen, like I just ate a really good, hearty meal.
Lidya: The chocolate chip and pecan cookie with Biscoff ice cream from Timeout Market. Lidya is just an absolute sweetheart, and I needed something just as sweet to match her. She always calls me a munchkin, but she’s the most munchkin of them all and she doesn’t even realize it.
Allam: A meatball sub from Maggy Lous. Allam is one of the funniest people I know. A meatball sub is a meal just as goofy as the guy I’m pairing it to. It’s flavorful, comforting, and, I don’t know, it just feels right.
Sekai: Biscoff cheesecake. Yes, because of the Biscoff cheesecake incident of 2026 (we should’ve known they weren’t bringing us Biscoff cheesecake when it came with a big orange slice on top…). However, it’s also because she is sweet and tangy in the same way that Biscoff cheesecake is. I just love Biscoff cheesecake and I love this girl, so it works.
Lola: Beef ribs. 1. We know how much Lola loves her ribs. But 2. ribs are hearty and rich, and I think that’s a pretty good way to describe Lola’s personality.
Kehinde: A steak and fries. Kehinde is a very classy girl with a very big heart. I feel like a classy girl is deserving of a classic meal, and I think that steak is as classic as it comes. It’s also filling, which fits her heartiness and sincerity.
Naomi: An oreo brookie from Oranjezicht Market. I feel as though Naomi has a deep, rich personality and voice, and I think that pairs nicely with a brookie’s dense, chocolatey flavor.
Yasmine: The samosas we made in the Bo-Kaap cooking class. Similar to how you’re met with a multitude of flavors and fillings when you bite into a samosa, I learned in my conversation with Yasmine at the gym last night just how complex and interesting her life is once you break through the surface.
Safa: The karak tea I bought from Bo-Kaap. It’s a drink that’s earthy, sweet, and a little spicy (kind of like chai). Those are the same words I would use to describe Safa. I can always count on it to warm me up after a long day, just like Safa.
Liana: Rooibos tea. Like rooibos tea, Liana is calming and naturally sweet. There’s also a variety to her: quiet Liana, adventurous Liana, jokester Liana, etc., similar to how rooibos can come red, green, or blended.
Sam: Salmon and rice. Sam is a well-mannered and organized guy. Every time someone asks a question like, “Who would you call first in an emergency?” a lot of people say his name. He’s consistent and dependable. I would say the same thing about salmon and rice. It’s very balanced and well-rounded.