On Wednesday, we traveled to Soweto
to do some work with the Boys and Girls Club there. This was definitely my
favorite part of Johannesburg. While I was there, weeded and hoed a plot for
their garden so that they could expand it. We made a lot of headway and it was
really satisfying to see the before and after shots. The director of the club
was also so grateful which made it feel even more worth. In the afternoon, the
kids arrived and we played games it was so fun. It reminded me of Olympics day
during camp and it was so fun to get the kids amped up and excited to work in
teams. I think it was so nice to spend time with them because, as cliché as it
is, kids’ optimism and seemingly infinite joy always give me hope and reminds
me of all the good that exists in the world—something I sorely needed after
everything we had been learning the past couple of days.
We then headed out to Mpumalanga
where we spent three days at Kruger National Park. Here we enjoyed game drives
and a braai as well as some time to relax by the poolside, enjoy each others
company and reflect on our time in Johannesburg. I got a lot of reading in and
it was really awesome to see the animals in a more natural setting. I’ve always
found zoos to be extremely unsettling. I hate seeing animals cooped up that
way. I saw almost all of the big five (except leopards) and saw lions mating.
On our night game drive, I was looking out at the stars, which were much
clearer than I’ve seen in a while, living in a city. And it hit me, I am
in Africa. It seems so obvious, but when you have adjusted and are spending
every day in class and commuting to work and living life regularly it is easy
to forget where you are. I think that is the beauty of it though, that I have
adjusted so much that I can forget. At the same time, it just made me want to
explore more. I work in the city, but theres so much of it that I haven’t
explored and so much more I feel I can learn.
So, as soon as we landed home I hit
the ground running. On Saturday, Emily and I spent the day at the Company
Gardens and the South African National Gallery Where we enjoyed some art.
On Sunday, Drew, Caroline, Derek,
Megan, Trista and I went for a hike. While we intended to reach Devil’s Peak,
we took some wrong turns and ended up on the lower peak. It was still an
excellent time. We then headed out for an unconventional Easter dinner of
sushi.
On Monday, I still didn’t have work
because it was a national holiday—Family Day, which I spent at the Park Life
music and food festival listening to local artists. It was a wonderful spring
break and I am looking forward to getting back into my routine refreshed and
ready to take on new challenges.
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