I’m really happy we started learning more about South
African history and visiting related sites. It is so much more powerful to
learn about events from people who have experienced them and at the sites at
which they occurred. I was struck most this week by visiting the different
townships that were created during apartheid. People were forced out of their
homes and placed into townships based on their skin color and economic status.
The communities that they were put into were devastating to see. It was
unimaginable to think that an average of 8 people live in these small shacks
that were about the size of my college dorm room. However, as upset as I was to
observe these living conditions, everyone I saw within these communities were
smiling and happy, or at least content with where they were. Everyone we met at
Gugulethu Township was very happy to meet us and expressed that they were
blessed to have what they have. It definitely gave me a new perspective on my
own life.
It was also amazing to visit Robben Island and see where
Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years. I could not believe the conditions
the prisoners had to endure. It was also really interesting to have a tour
guide who had been a prisoner there himself, because we were able to really
learn about what life there was like. I honestly don’t think I could have
endured being locked in such a small cell for an extended period of time.
Prisoners weren’t even able to have their children visit until they were 16
years old, so Nelson Mandela did not see his youngest child for 14 years. I
think what shocks me the most about all of what we have learned, is that it all
happened so recently. The end of slavery and segregation was a long time ago in
our country, so it’s crazy to meet people here who experienced the segregation
in this country.
Beyond the sites, I’ve really been enjoying all of the jazz
music we have been seeing and hearing with dinners. Everyone here is incredibly
talented and I love it. We also went to wine tasting yesterday and that was a
lot of fun. I have really enjoyed everything we’ve done so far but I’m also
excited to start classes and my internship soon. I’ve also been pushing myself
to eat healthier and be better about cooking rather than eating out like I do
at home. I actually went grocery shopping today and just cooked dinner that
should last a few meals so I’m pretty proud of myself for that! I hope I’ll be
able to keep that up throughout the semester.
 |
| Libby, Alex, Abby, Elizabeth |
No comments:
Post a Comment