So much has happened in these few weeks
that we’ve been here. For starters, I learned how to cook something other than
mac n cheese. I thought not having a meal plan would be really hard for me but
I’m actually kind of enjoying cooking for myself. Shopping, going out, and
doing things on our own has given me a new sense of independence which is cool
because whenever I envisioned this trip I thought about helping others and
never thought about how I will grow myself. I have also become a lot more
adventurous in trying new foods (I even tried warthog!) Tasting the traditional
foods was a fun way to partake in South African culture, which is important
because this will be our home for the next three months.
I am happy to say that I hiked to
the top of Table Mountain yesterday (although my calves and glutes are
definitely not as happy). We ended up taking a roundabout hike to the top and
it was challenging. At one point I wanted to stop and let the others go on.
Shout out to Caroline, Derek, Josh, Molly, and Mary for saying they wouldn’t
leave me behind by myself and for making me push through and go to the top.
Their support was really important to me and it confirmed the true sense of
community that Marita said would develop. And, after seeing the view from the
top I would have been really mad at myself if I had stopped before it.
The view was not only breathtaking,
but it also served as a metaphor for everything we had done that previous week.
We visited the most beautiful sights in Cape Town at the start of the week and
then saw poverty like I have never seen it before towards the end. At the top
of the mountain I saw both ends of the spectrum, and the contrast between them.
I saw the beauty of the mountains and the ocean (it’s one of the new 7 natural wonders
of the world) and then I looked down and saw the entire city of Cape Town—which
includes not only the wealthy, white parts of town, but also the overcrowded,
underdeveloped, and unclean townships where African and colored people were
forced to live. At first this made me feel sorry for the people living there,
having been to the townships and having seen their struggles first hand. But
then I was reminded of all the internships and community organizations we’ve
visited. There are so many great programs being started and so many amazing
people who are trying to make a difference. And, being on top of the mountain I
reflected on all of this. Like the mountain, Capetonians are strong and proud
of the city they come from. I thought about Vernon, Odon (the sand artist), the
taxi drivers I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know, Jo, Parks, and all the
other people I’ve met on this trip so far. Each and every one of them has such
a good spirit, and to me that is inspiring. I wish there were more programs
like the ones we visited that they received more funding, but I know these
programs are a great start. The holistic view from the mountain sort of pulled
all of this together for me. Despite the hardships and struggles, Cape Town
really is a beautiful city full of beautiful, talented, hopeful people.
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