A Haiku Or A Few For You!

Why Cape Town you say?

Be a global citizen.

Explore history.

Want to change and learn?

This will help shape our future.

Know diversity.

Cape Town means change YUP!

Life altering perspective.

Overcome challenge.

GO MOTIVATION!

Global change is awesome. WHOOP!

Ubuntu is here.

To be empowered.

Challenge unjust social norms.

Global perspective. 

Getting To The Top!

A glimmer of sun along the route to the top!

I don’t think any amount of research or planning could have prepared me for Monday night's amazing, incredible, unreal experience. Climbing Lion's Head on the eve of the full moon is a Cape Town must! Ever since we heard about it during orientation I knew that was one hike I was not going to miss. The one thing is, I didn't realize this "hike" was actually a "climb" but the semantics don't matter too much. As we started to climb I was really excited but I realized quickly that I was in no shape to be climbing mountains! Either way we progressed on and each beautiful clearing motivated me to keep moving. We embraced the African concept of Ubuntu as we waited for each other and felt encouragement from everyone around as some passed us and we passed others. The ascent was truly unbelievable. I was just thinking the entire time how much I've been able to do in my life and I felt exhilarated but also sad because I wondered if I'd ever be in Cape Town again to see this sight. With that in mind I appreciated every moment and just kept climbing.  I'm pretty sure we thought of every song possible to keep us going and the fun basically never stopped.

Approaching the vertical climb

The hardest part of the climb was when we got to a straight vertical climb. Essentially we were scaling rocks by grabbing on to slippery handles and chains. Breathing heavily I caught a glimpse of this challenge as got closer. I was already a bit scared because the path was really narrow but this was terrifying to me. As it got closer to my turn I realized that there was no turning back. I told myself that thousands of people have done this before me and they were all fine. It didn't take away the fear and what made it worse was that my hands were getting sweatier and sweatier as I wasted time, holding up the line, staring straight up at what I must do. I started to climb and over and over again I came down. I was confused where to put my feet. I knew my height was a huge disadvantage.  The support I received from everyone around me was outstanding. People offered to carry my bag and one guy even stood behind me with his arms up to "catch" me if I fell. Everyone was saying "you can do it" and helping me to place my feet in the right spots and make it to the top. I was absolutely terrified. This was the most scared I've been in my whole life. I was almost to the top when I realized I didn't leave enough room for my left foot. I would have to hop over a bit to make room. So, I found myself standing straight up on my right leg, gripping these slippery chains for dear life and my left leg dangling in the air. I almost froze but I knew that there was nothing I could do if I stopped. Without thinking I just went for it and this was where I expected I would fall. I basically said to myself if I fall now then I fall and otherwise I make it but I can't do nothing. I felt myself slipping and turned toward my backside for more stability. It all happened so fast but somehow I ended up sitting with my back on a small ledge and my feet on a rock in front of me. I was shaking. I was pretty sure I wouldn't be able to move. I knew I was safe but somehow I felt more scared than when I began. After a few minutes I was able to get up off the ledge and climb up to the top where there were no more chains and it was even ground. I just looked around and started to cry. I don't think I was crying because I was scared I was relieved and as I sat on a rock catching my breath everyone walked by and patted my back and said good job! It was the craziest thing to me and also really beautiful. Everyone was there for the experience and part of the experience was helping and encouraging others along the way.

At the top of Lion's Head

We continued to climb up the rocks. The entire top part of the mountain is just rocks and there were a few more scary moments but now we were so close to reaching the top. Then sun was beginning to set and my determination to see this sight was probably the only thing moving my legs. I remember being shocked at the ease at which some people  climbed. One guy even carried a small dog with him. REALLY! How could he do that? I let people pass me as I strategically planned each move and up, up we went. Although I thought this would go on forever, we finally made it to the top! It was worth it! To my left was the setting sun over the Atlantic Ocean and to my right was the glowing, full moon rising over Cape Town. It was incredible. I was running back and forth taking pictures not sure which scene I liked better and knowing that too soon the sun would be gone. I just stood there immersed in thought and emotions. I wanted so badly to capture this moment forever so I stood there in amazement. Just as the last glimpse of the sun went away I felt mystified.  It was beautiful and serene and for just a moment even if there was sound around me I couldn't hear it. Then everyone applauded and once again I felt this huge community surrounding me. Regardless of who you are or where you came from this was an experience shared by all and that was really special.

 After the ominous colors of yellow, red, pink, and orange had left the sky and all we could see now was the moon high above us and the glittering lights of Cape Town down below the sounds of Bob Marley inspired us to make our way down.  I was scared again but more than that I felt appreciation and also pride. I had accomplished something much bigger than myself and would definitely remember this experience forever. As we climbed back down the mountain I remember using my arms to push myself down from the rocks because my legs felt like jello. We were among hundreds of people who had made it and when I reached the final leg of this adventure the lyrics repeated in my head…

Just after the sun disappeared from view

"Don't worry about a thing, 

'Cause every little thing gonna be all right. 

Singin': "Don't worry about a thing, 

'Cause every little thing gonna be all right!" 

I smiled to myself and repeated this mantra. I knew that this was a day of excitement but more than that it was a day of change. Somehow being alone in my thoughts but united in this experience I began to thrive. I keep saying that I'm wondering when the brilliance of Cape Town will wear off. It's not going to. I'm riding this high until I get on that plane. There's just no other way to live! Seize each moment, take every opportunity, and don't stop until you've achieved your goal!

Realizing What I've Been Missing

I feel like I've finally found my niche here in South Africa. When I came to South Africa I thought I'd be so caught up in activities and traveling and shopping that I wouldn’t miss my Jewish community. I expected that like all my other commitments back home this would fade to the back. I couldn't be surprised how wrong I was. I thought that being Jewish in SA would be something I would learn about and keeping Kosher would be easy. I now know that wherever you go in life, you cannot leave religion behind. Being Jewish is a huge part of who I am and how I've been raised. So, it was unrealistic to expect that I'd be so distracted that I wouldn't miss something that is such a big part of me. After reaching this conclusion, I've decided to get involved in things that I really care about.  Here's one example:

Last week I had the opportunity to visit the Cape Town Holocaust Centre in town. I was excited to initiate this partnership because I believe they are working on so many great initiatives right now. The current exhibit being featured is called  In Whom Can I Still Trust  shares the untold story of the struggles and oppression of homosexuals during the Holocaust.  This powerful exhibit is coupled with workshops, speakers, and shows to exemplify and highlight the reality of a long lived battle between rights and reality for homosexuals in South Africa. The final event of this series is a youth workshop on Human Rights Day (a national holiday in South Africa) which is going to focus on equality and sexual diversity. I knew that I could not let this opportunity pass without getting involved because it it exactly what I am passionate about. My primary goal is to expand my Jewish community while learning from and serving this new group of people who are tied to me solely because they are Jewish. Immediately I felt welcomed in the Holocaust Centre and I am excited for the relationship that has already started to build. When we got to talking I explained the nature of this program and what I've been up to. I think they were shocked because at first nobody said anything. What happened next shocked me more. As I have written previously, I am now in charge of teaching grade 9 history at CMES. The curriculum is WW II and the Holocaust. Once they understood my predicament, few resources and little experience, they immediately offered to help. They invited me back to meet on Friday and discuss getting involved and also give me some feedback for my lessons. I was so thrilled to have found myself a little gem. Not only did I find the Holocaust Centre filled with history and legacy and a unique perspective due to its location in South Africa but I was surrounded by a Kosher restaurant, a book store, the South African Jewish Museum, and the oldest synagogue in all of Cape Town. This was the place I was looking for, a Jewish home.

That night I went to an amazing event as part of the exhibit. During the evening the author of a book called Challenging Homophobia spoke about his work and the book was released in South Africa for the first time. This book brings a feeling of hope and optimism to this challenge of homophobic tendencies that our world is tainted with. The author challenges us all to include sexual diversity in all spheres of education. We are encouraged to teach about sexual diversity in every subject and speak literally about what people we know are experiencing. This form of education should span beyond school and formal learning because sexual diversity  is applicable in very aspect of life and it should be recognized in parents, friends, and teachers in our lives. In a room of people eager for direction, these words acted as a blueprint for how to combat this injustice. I am a true believer that education will be the catalyst but somehow while I was getting overwhelmed by inspiration I also felt helpless because if change can be that easy why isn’t it happening? Later that night a youtube series called "It Gets Better South Africa" was launched for the public. The It Gets Better Project in an international bullying campaign that was started in 2010 and inspired by the overwhelming number of suicides in the US which stemmed from homophobic bullying. The message "it gets better" is an international effort to change the way teens and young adults view their sexual diversity and motivate them to keep on living and share the reality of success and happiness after pushing through the tough times. As I was watching this for the first time I wanted to cry. I cant say if it was because I was upset or happy but I knew that this initiative was something outstanding and I was proud to even just be present to support the efforts of everyone who worked so hard to make their image a reality.  From this film series I was surprised to learn that there are 450 species that exhibit homosexuality and only 1 species exhibits homophobia. If that statistic is shocking to you and you are interested in watching the series please follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/user/itgetsbettersa. I realized that is issue is about being vigilant, speaking out and getting our voices to be heard. This group effort expands so far and in the efforts to create a true rainbow nation we all must do our part to create partnerships and promote understanding.  I was really moved by the honesty of the presenters but also the audience. I could tell this was a community that cared by the questions that were asked and also the respect that was beaming from all corners of the room.

When I arrived on Friday morning for our second meeting I was happy because I knew this was a place I wanted to be. From only having been there once before I was treated like a member of the team, as if I'd been there all along. I had the awesome privilege of  going through the permanent exhibit before it opened. I was almost fearful of this because I'd never actually experienced the Holocaust on my own before. I took the time to read everything I could and let it sink in. I was finding myself comparing this to the Apartheid years in South Africa and asking new questions because of what I've learned here so far. There was a certain level of excitement or maybe even anxiety that kept me moving forward but also made me hesitant. I wasn't sure what would come next or how quickly this story would escalate. I was afraid I'd see something I wasn't ready  for. I found a real appreciation for my own history at that moment when I realized that no matter how many times I've learned this it's intolerable to have to be reminded of but at the same time we must be reminded so that nothing like the Holocaust ever happens again.  Afterward I took some time to myself to read over the curriculum materials that were available and to let this all simmer for a bit in my mind. I wanted to scream and I was also very proud. I realized this was my chance to make an impact on my students and to tie this entire experience in South Africa together for me too. I can't neglect the fact that my Jewish background is the glue that ties this masterpiece together. So there is comes, full circle. I was trying to abandon the one thing that for me is my driving force throughout this entire program. I need my Judaism to be an emotional, effective teacher and I need my Jewish community to provide the resources and motivation for these lessons. It's an interesting thing the way life works. The things we expect we'll be ok without are the things we need more than ever!

Some say that February is the month for mourning but I say that February is a great month to be an activist!

Do You Know Your Rights?

I can't help but thinking that we were all part of a huge social experiment this past weekend at our human rights retreat. We were brought together with South Africans and Foreign Nationals to learn about human rights. This unique setting got me thinking about how our experience would be different because we all had such different backgrounds.  I can't explain how I was feeling. It was a mix between excitement and confusion. I was also feeling pretty skeptical. It was this surreal sort of environment. We arrived at an olive farm called Goedgedacht Farm about an hour away from the city and away from the comforts of our home to a quiet area where there were no distractions. We were assigned roommates and after a bit of settling in it was time for dinner. Soon after a huge dinner we started our programming. We were not given any information about what we would experience; we knew it was a beautiful venue and we would participate in a workshop unlike what many of us had ever experienced. We knew this weekend changed people's lives.

After only a short while of introductions and establishing expectations we jumped into the "work". We found ourselves divided in five country groups which were decided randomly. I was assigned to the DRC. Our only instruction was to pick a president and return to our seats. We were arbitrarily picking our "leader" with no real rationale for who it was. I found it interesting that in my group we just picked the person who wanted to be president but in other groups they had elections. I'm always interested in group dynamics so that was something I decided to keep an eye out for throughout the weekend. Soon after that the Kofi Annan of our group was announced. This role was assigned to the youngest person in the room and it came with a large amount of responsibility. I was thinking how crazy it was that five leaders were picked at random then this person was picked so intentionally based on only on factor.  It was From that point on I felt like this was going to be an interesting experience but I wanted more structure. With no more information, we were dismissed for the night and I was curious.

We spent Saturday learning from each other and also working in our country groups. There was a videographer who was recording this whole process. It made me feel like later on the facilitators were going to watch what was happening and smirk. I was pretty skeptical of this entire exercise with the country groups.  We were presented with the following situation:

The Earth has been destroyed and there are no more resources to live. One country, the DRC, has moved to a new planet and is thriving. The Ivory Coast has followed suit. When Madagascar hears of this they ask for permission and they too head to the new planet. Unfortunately due to a mishap in their travels they land on the opposite side of the mountain range where the sol is unfertile and their resources are limited. Rwanda comes next not requesting permission of any of the countries who are already settled and they end up on the arid side too. Everyone is living peacefully and then Burundi asks permission to come to the planet. As country groups we were instructed to choose if they can come and where, fertile or arid land, they would live. We also had to construct a list of rights for each country on the new planet and name the planet.

We divided into group and immediately began contemplating and discussing this scenario. It didn't take long to realize that reaching a solution would not be easy and furthermore there was no "right" answer to this predicament.  Every group said that they would have equal rights for all based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but my group struggled to come to a basic decision regarding whether or not Burindi should be allowed in the planet at all. This was shocking to me that some people would not want them on the planet but I was reminded that we all come from such drastically different life situations that I probably couldn't imagine what they have experienced that would make them say that. I was humbled but also I had a lot of questions in my mind. As we discussed I realized two important things. Firstly, I learned that sometimes being idealistic is not always realistic. With that I had to reevaluate my stance on a lot of the ideas we discussed because many things were brought up that I didn't think about. If I had it my way I would have just allowed them to come in and expected everyone to live peacefully. Of course I know that using present day as an example my way would never work but in theory it was easy. I was met with suggestions of attack and depletion of resources which made me reconsider. The other thing that I learned is that assumed power or advantage can manifest in someone's mind quickly. I found myself getting caught up playing this role that I was assigned. I was quick to get defensive and assume that my group was correct. What made this easier I think is that we had the benefit of being in a group so I was able to hide behind that and not take ownership for my role. When our group presented I was arguing for things I didn’t really believe in at all. Throughout our discussion I had given up a part of myself for the group and I didn't argue for things that I valued. Although it was only a game, I did feel some sense of disappointment in myself for acting so harsh and entitled.

Later that afternoon we were given one last task. As a group we had to present the history, socio-economic status, population, and human rights violations that existed in our country.  Then having presented this information we were expected to make an argument for why our group deserved one billion dollars and how we would allocate it. This was at first daunting and a bit frustrating because we had no resources to do our research. I felt like I would be making even more assumptions and I was overwhelmed by this assignment. I learned that what was so unique about this exercise is that some people do not have access or even easy access to resources for research on a daily basis. One thing that I have become so accustomed to is something that I am privileged to have not owed.  This helped me to place the exercise in perspective. This was not a school project and grades were not being awarded we were just learning. Although our interpretations of cultural dress felt a bit disrespectful at times and I did feel like I was doing an injustice to the DRC but there was a bigger issue for me than not having the right facts. We were supposed to make an argument regarding why we deserved to win one billion dollars from the World Bank. The challenge for me was that I couldn’t feel comfortable winning the money knowing that another country has its own struggles too and they didn't get the money. It felt to me like we were fighting about whose terrible situation was worse in the "judges" minds. It felt again pretty arbitrary. As much as I kept giving myself a reality check I couldn't help but get sucked up in this activity. It was learning and participating just because we could and the atmosphere was encouraging and welcoming to all levels of experience with human rights. I let my guard down and tried to leave my critical mind at the door and participate fully because I think that helped me to learn more.

We also had a workshop on refugees and asylum seekers. I learned through a frustrating exercise how difficult it would be to try to get asylum in a new country. We had to fill out a worksheet in a language we couldn’t even identify. I realized this is how it would be for someone seeking asylum and after a while I gave up on the exercise. In a real life situation giving up would not be the answer but in this make believe exercise it worked out.  I also learned the difference between political rights, civil rights, and socio-economic rights which was a distinction I had never even considered. Learning about the rights of refugees was helpful because it informed me of all the human rights that people have but aren't necessarily getting. That made me upset and during the wrap up I was puzzled with the question about what can I do and especially what can my generation do to right the wrongs we are seeing in our world?

These activities were really important in teaching me the ultimate lesson for this weekend which I feel is that human rights are wrapped up in so many other things that there is no simple solution. Every suggestion has its pros and cons and therefore while we scrutinize those who propose a solution I'm learning that I probably couldn't come up with a better one. It's tightly raveled in emotion and history which is why it's such a huge issue in our time. For me this weekend became less about being right or wrong and more about how people interacted and how these hypothetical situations become real very quickly.  I am appreciative for the opportunity to learn with and from my peers from Uconn and South Africa. Although I was faced with many different feelings regarding the training I know that in the end I learned a lot and I am not sure that these lessons would have made such a large impact on me if it was presented in any typical format. This was experiential learning at its finest and I am fortunate to have been able to participate in such a great community exercise.  I cannot say yet if participating in this workshop changed my life but I know that it gave me so much to think about and for my wandering mind there's thankfully another list of thoughts to tackle now!

How to get around in Cape Town: Public Transportation 101

After two hilarious experiences and many crazy stories I am excited to share with you what I have decided are the "how tos" about traveling in Cape Town.

1. Always travel in a group, except when the group is holding you back from doing what you want. Then go alone but do so safely.
2. When crossing the road look THREE times then make a run for it. Do not hesitate.
3. Look behind you too. You may or may not end up getting hit by a taxi and spilling coffee everywhere but your clothes.

4. Never assume you are safe. When you let your guard down you may get your phone stolen.

5. If someone is trying to steal from you give them what you have. Things are replaceable, you life is NOT.
6. Don’t close the door "like that". In other words, handle the doors carefully because many taxis are falling apart and if you close the door properly then the door will fall entirely off the car!
7. If the above happens, RUN!
8. Don’t use big bills when paying your taxi fare. It's annoying.
9. If you do, insist on proper change.
10. If it's too crowded in the taxi take a laptop. NO do not sit on someone's lap! Rather, sit on a board that stretches between the gaps of the seats. The floor is another good option.
11. After dark don't take taxis take cabs. 
12. A minibus is a taxi a taxi is a cab. Go figure…
13. Always negotiate the fare before you take a cab, you get a better deal that way.
14. Never pay the fare when riding the train. They don't check.
15. When riding the train avoid rush hour.
16. If you happen to get on during rush hour, go to first class not third.
17. There is no second class on the train.
18. You can get almost anywhere if you are willing to pay.
19. When in doubt, find someone with a car :)

Enough Is Enough! Get Out and Get Involved!

We call ourselves activists and in an entire month we haven't had the chance to speak out about what we care about most. We've been busy doing and seeing but sometimes life gets the best of us and time is lost. Now that we've been settled, many of us have decided to branch out and get involved! On Friday Erica and I took a trip to Parliament to attend a rally against gender based violence. We had no idea what to expect and we also didn't know where exactly we were going but the opportunity presented itself and so went.  We were walking along noticing that the time was getting close and so we rushed around asking people  where to go and eventually we started following two girls assuming they were headed the direction we were going. Our intuition was correct and as we arrived to the rally we had met a new friend and we were ready to go! The scene was exciting but still growing! We got shirts and stickers and found a spot right in the front behind the speakers. Who knows how many press and media pictures we ended up in because of where we were standing but it was so fun! There were cameras and signs everywhere. I loved the message that this rally was sending. We continued to attract attention throughout the entire time gaining people and support and making our voices heard by chanting "enough is enough!" and raising our voices together!

The rally was nothing like I could have expected. There were not millions of people and police vehicles like at other rallies I've been to but the passion was genuine and that made it feel larger than life. I learned only after that communities around the world were rallying for the same cause that day and I was proud to be part of an international effort! I wanted to laugh, cry, smile, and shout all at once. The program was amazing and so motivating. There was a certain energy that radiated from the group was so encouraging. It didn't matter who you were or what your experience was but the fact that you were there was a beautiful thing and I felt accepted. People shared their personal experiences and joined together in songs and cheers. They said that they would no longer be silent and while Zuma (the president of South Africa) played golf they'd be sure not to let their efforts stop at the end of the protest. Something that was interesting to me is that the women were singing songs from the apartheid years during the rally. They were passionately singing these words that their parents and some of them even sang in the years of oppression. It was really difficult for me to see the struggle against gender based violence compared to the apartheid and I left the rally thinking a lot about oppression and human rights. I wanted to agree with what everyone was saying because they were so right! I was shocked by the experiences that were shared and the statistics that were exploited. Even so, I knew that by being there and supporting the cause I was contributing in one way or another to making a difference. Two of my favorite quotes from the rally were, "I dislike the term ladies because ladies are expected to keep their legs closed", and also " it's a dress, not a yes". It seems to me that passionate people have a way of saying things so much better than I ever could! It was like, I was thinking the same thing all along but couldn't have said it better if I tried! I was glad to have attended this event and have a chance to get involved in the community.

As part of our time in Cape Town we are each expected to partner with an organization that we feel passionate about and dedicate our time to address certain need and issues that the organization is dealing with. I have decided to partner with an organization called Netzer South Africa. Netzer is a Reform Jewish Zionistic youth movement in South Africa.  They are considered the "underdog" in South Africa and they are lacking support and also members. I am excited to work with the coordinators to plan a leadership retreat for the grades 10, 11, and 12 students in the middle of March. Being part of a Jewish community has always been so important to me. In South Africa I've been so busy that for a while I let that slip away. I am excited to get involved and advocate for myself and share my experiences and skill set with this new community. I hope to also get involved with the Cape Town Holocaust Center at their new exhibit about homosexuality in the Holocaust. I am so happy to be finding things that I love to get involved in! It is another opportunity to learn while I am here.  Once I reached out to one person at Temple Israel in Cape Town the emails and phone calls kept coming. It reminds me of the song "Wherever You Go There's Always Someone Jewish" because it's true. And just like Ubuntu spreads through Africa, being Jewish ties you to the entire world.   It is amazing how many things there are to do in Cape Town and how easy it is to get involved. Time here moves so quickly that I hope to be able to do everything I want in Cape Town before the time runs out! 

What's Up City Mission?

Another week at City Mission Educational services has ended and it's been quite the ride. I am really loving this experience and I'm appreciating being challenged each day. This week we talked about publishing and newspapers in the grade 6 and 7 class. This post is titled "What's Up City Mission?" because that's the name of our class newspaper that we've started working on. I'll post pictures when it is completed but we had to take a break to start our mythology lessons. I'm having so much fun planning creative lessons and engaging with the students! 

When I started this internship I was shocked that everything was going so well.  I almost felt bad that things were not more challenging. I have learned that challenges come in so many different shapes and sizes and that I was too quick to judge that this was going to be easy. I'm glad that I've been corrected. CMES is definitely not organized and sometimes that can get the best of me. Just when I was in the middle of writing my schedule yesterday, I was approached by the principal to teach the grade 8 and 9 history class. He said he needed me to fill a gap and if I would take on the task. This basically meant that overnight I became an actual teacher. I am responsible for assessments, lessons, classroom management, etc. I was really happy to be treated with such high regard but I am also thinking I'm just nowhere near qualified to take on this responsibility. I will say it over and over, I am passionate about education and love working in schools but I do not want to be a teacher in the traditional sense. SO this will definitely be a new experience for me and while others are finding their footing I'm just starting over again with the third schedule I've been handed. I would be lying if I said all of this chaos didn't excite me.

The learners at City Mission are so enthusiastic but sometimes I wish they would channel that enthusiasm toward learning instead of fighting. I am constantly struggling to teach and stay positive in the classroom with so much negative energy circulating. The students are either protesting the work, fighting or refusing to listen. That is probably an exaggeration because some of the students are really fantastic. Those are the ones I don’t believe should be at CMES to begin with. I have asked some of the kids why they are at City Mission and their answers continue to shock me. CMES is the "end of the line" for almost all the student and after spending even a few months at this non traditional school, most students would not be able to go to a public school because it would be a huge adjustment. Even the most well behaved students start to become a product of the environment they have been placed in and change their behavior for the worst. What I mean by this is that some kids come to City Mission because their parents think it is a good school.  Where in reality it IS a good school for some but definitely not everyone. In many cases, siblings or family members all attend CMES and the school is really ineffective for the siblings. Since discipline is such an issue, the learners who are really bright are not learning and actually their skills  are declining because the environment is not challenging enough academically. The lessons are almost never completed because the instruction is interrupted to address a distraction or issue in the classroom. Even so this could be improved if the students had textbooks because less time would be spent copying from the board or with the teachers' backs to the class. It reminds me of the days of passing notes, the minute the teacher turned around someone would pass a note except at City Mission it's worse than passing notes. I'm hoping that in my time here I can work to implement some more engaging  lessons because the times I've seen the students perform best is when they are engaged and encouraged, not when they are copying from the board day after day.  I'm learning quickly that there is not real approach to discipline at CMES. Today I watched two students bully a smaller boy for his bus pass. One had a pair of scissors in his hand and the other a pen. The small boy was laughing and playing along until they encouraged him that soon he wouldn't be laughing. The teacher watched this scenario play out and let it get really heated before telling them to stop. Even then she didn't get up she just sat from her chair in the room. Nathan, the principal, has made it clear that he feels no obligation toward the students in terms of disciplining them and if he comes across bad behavior he is inclined to just expel them and move on. He says that he chooses to allow the students in "his" school and that they should want to be there and behave accordingly or he will throw them back on the streets without losing sleep over it. I'm still wondering how to best address the students because sometimes it seems they will only listen if you yell and other times they respond better when they are spoken to like actual human beings. I think it's a really fine line and it's a constant struggle because I know they are not bad kids but they just found themselves in multiple bad situations. For example, on Tuesday a group of grade 9 students got kicked out of class. They were walking around the school and nobody was paying attention to them. I decided to ask them why they were walking around and then I said that if they were not going to learn in the classroom they could learn with me outside. Before we started working I decided to take some time to talk to the students. I realized that although I want all the kids to respect me, I do need to earn their trust and I believe that respect and trust are mutual. We talked about everything and I learned how passionate they really are. This also reaffirmed  for me that you can make a bad impression quickly but first impressions are almost always wrong. After a while the student really started to open up and I felt like in that moment they were doing more learning than they would have done in the classroom anyway. Their assignment was to make a speech about HIV/AIDS and how to prevent it. I wanted to hear what they had to say so I started right in on the tough questions, I'm thankful I did because I learned a lot. Although we started talking about HIV/AIDS we quickly got off topic in the best way possible. One of the boys brought up a great point about the fact that we cannot control everything in our fate and he was upset that so many children are being born with HIV and there's not much being done to prevent it. He said he would be resentful if that were him and he would be ashamed even though it wasn't his fault. He transitioned into telling us about how he used to look forward to when school ended each week so he could go out and drink and do "party drugs". This 9th grade boy told me that he liked coming to school on Monday without a hangover and he made the choice to abandon his older friends who were a bad influence because he knew that he wanted to be an electrical engineer and that this was something he could control. He also said his school and finding religion really helped him to make this change. While there are a lot of flaws with this school it helps many kids too and that should not go unrecognized.  I don’t think that too many people have taken the time to seriously talk with many of the students because if they did, I hope they would see that there is so much hope and innocence in these young people. Contrary to popular belief, I am starting to believe innocence can be restored if people believe in you. We talked about making good choices and setting goals and the students lit up when I explained that you don't have to be great at everything right away but if you set your mind to a single goal each day and accomplish it then you can be proud of yourself every day and soon you'll realize how much you can really accomplish. After a while, a few other kids joined us from the class and soon each student was working together to fill in the blanks for a personal pronoun exercise or correct the sentences I had written for them. It may not have been in the standardized curriculum that the teachers are required to deliver but I was still happy to have the opportunity to make a small impact on their lives.

This week has been amazing. It has given me so much to think about between my internship and classes I feel like my mind never gets a break. It's good in that way because I am constantly learning. I am thankful for the times when I've been frustrated at the structure or the outcomes of various situations because it has stretched me and challenged me to think outside of my comfort zone. I will only be in Cape Town once in my life, as far as I know, and because of that I need to remember to put things in perspective and remember to appreciate everything which is really refreshing! 

Lean On Me- Ocean View Homestay

On Thursday we departed from UCT and headed to Ocean View near the boarder of the Western Cape.  We were all exhausted from a long week of internships and class but I was bubbling over with excitement and also anticipation. We were going to spend a weekend in Ocean View with host families and learn about one community's way of life. Ocean View is a township for classified coloured citizens who were relocated from various "white only" areas during the apartheid years. Although the apartheid years are over, this community is linked by their past experiences and because of this a wonderful community has flourished. I was curious and also a bit worried. We were assured that we would be well fed, cared for, and welcomed more than we could have ever hoped for. So as our bus circled around Table Mountain going higher and higher I just couldn't wait until we actually got there.

When we arrived we got out first taste of Ocean View living by walking through the township to the home where we would be having a community dinner. The entire time before we arrived, we had been told that community and family are huge parts of life in Cape Town and especially many of the townships. With this in mind, I found it fitting that our first experience was a wonderful community meal. This was only after we carried our bags for maybe twenty minutes. I viewed this as initiation almost. Many people in Ocean View do not have cars and often have to carry heavy bags to work or to neighbors regardless of the weather or weight. So with our backpacks we walked through the township drawing attention to ourselves as we spoke loudly and pointed out things that excited us. This feeling felt different because often times we've come into a community and seen what there is to see but this time we were staying. I was happy to finally have an opportunity to interact with people in their home environments instead of just observe. It felt like this was the way I should be learning about Cape Town life and I was ready for the full experience. I was really tired from the day but after a while my exhaustion turned into appreciation for the food and even better, the company. Our meal was amazing and I am sure that I had not been that full since before we left for Cape Town since everything was so good I just kept eating it!

Inside our host home. 

After dinner we all went out separate ways to our host homes. Savitri and I were the first two to be dropped off. We were staying with Aunti Reeni in her home. In many communities, it is customary to call people who are older than you Autni and Uncle. At first is was a little bit weird and even in some situations people encouraged us to address them by their first name only but many of us continued to call people aunti and uncle to show respect. Being a guest in someone's community can be a challenge because often times there are cultural things that you might not be aware of and it takes some time to understand how things work.  Aunti Reeni is a Muslim woman who practices the Islamic religion. When we arrived she was praying her last set of prayers for the day so we had to wait outside for just a few minutes. When we started talking to Aunti Reeni more we learned that she is very dedicated to her religion and she prays five times a day and is very committed to the rules and traditions of Islam.  We also learned that Aunti Reeni was relocated to Ocean View when she was a young girl from Simons Town during the apartheid. She told us that her home was sold to her grandfather for a small price and then they moved out of the now designated white only area to Ocean View. She has never been married and has lived on her own since she was old enough to buy her own house at age twenty-five. Hearing her speak made me a bit sad because she has had many difficulties but it was nice to be talked to in an honest manner even though we'd only know each other for a short time.

Aunti Reeni and Me

When we got to Aunti Reeni's home, I quickly realized it was a full house for such a small space. The home has a kitchen and living room in the front, a single bedroom, a bathroom, and a storage room. Aunti Reeni is not married and she mostly lives alone but she is allowing her cousin's children to live with her for now while they find work. So her small home is now home to three women and also a baby. I realized that many people in this township give whatever they can to their family and friend and often times they do not expect anything in return. The girls that stay with Aunti Reeni do not pay rent but instead when they are home they help around the house and share in that responsibility. Together they care for the two month old baby and they live peacefully together. Nobody in the house works so their life is not always easy. Although Aunti Reeni had a really good job, she gave up her work after her mother passed away in 2000. Aunti Reeni was really close with her mother because she was an only child. In apartheid yeas, Aunti Reeni's light skin gave her many privileges that her mother did not have. Even so, she was so intent on not leaving her mother's side that she would  never partake in walking on the white beaches or anything like that. After her mother's death, she explained to us that she didn't feel the same motivation as she had previously felt and spent more time alone not working therefore, she has spent the last twelve years living on a declining balance. She explained to us that before that time, she was able to purchase a house in full and also afford lavish holiday trips to resorts and tourist destinations. Now she lives a more careful lifestyle. She is not able to buy the luxuries that she once purchased and the charity that she used to give to her friends and family has not been reciprocated to her now that she needs it. Aunti Reeni explained to us that she was always an independent woman and that was something she was quite proud of she said she would never ask for a loan she couldn't repay and she also knew that because of her faith in God she would have everything she needed even if she didn't have ever luxury she was used to. Seeing her pride was really inspirational to me.

At the community concert. 

On Friday, the best day in my opinion, we went out and did service in the Ocean View community.  A smaller group of us had the privilege to work with the students in the Open Door after school program to prepare a concert for the community while others went to creche, which is like daycare, to work with the kids. We met at the coordinator's house and had just a few hours to get organized. We had to come together quickly to plan performances and perfect musical numbers. This required a lot of listening and teamwork but it was also really fun. After two hours we had a song ready to go and somehow, I had a solo that I was anxiously preparing for the opening act. We sang "Lean on Me" and "Man in the Mirror" and also helped the kids practice the acts they had been working on before we arrived. After a couple of hours we headed to the Methodist church and met all the kids. They were so enthusiastic and ready to show us what they had been practicing. The practice was fun but a little bit stressful. We had a lot to get done and not much time. The kids were excited but they were also a bit shy so it took a lot to get them to perform and also to remember what they were supposed to do. One challenge was that there was no music for the kids to practice with so the Chantel, the coordinator, was singing the songs for each group. I was impressed by the kids' determination and that not having music did not get them down at all. They were working and singing and dancing anyway. Once we did an initial run through, we split up into groups to practice the parts. I liked this part the best because I got to work with the girls to make up a dance. We needed to make up a new dance because the old dance did not include everyone and since not everyone was included the dance was cut from the program. We decided to work together and learn a new dance with everyone. With about twenty minutes to work, we started creating the animal dance for the performance. We didn't have any music so we just learned the counts and later that night I was able to play the music for them right before they went on stage to perform. The girl's animal dance was awesome and so cute. They were a hit even though they only practiced for a short while. The environment was filled with excitement but also a bit of tension. The best part of the entire afternoon was when we were not practicing at all. We all gathered around a small round table and started singing pop songs and banging out beats on the table. You could barely hear talking because it was so loud but the energy was so positive. In the background the kids were doing handstands, tricks, and dance moves mostly to show off but also to have fun! They were excited by our long hair and also our cameras so we all had fun making crazy hair styles and taking photos. I liked this best because we could all just have a good time and it was an agenda free, fun spirited time which I feel like we haven't had so much of since we've been here. Everything has been amazing but the best experiences for me have been the unplanned instances of spontaneity that just prove everything will work out somehow.

After a short break, we were ready for the concert. The kids showed up in their clean clothes and some even brought props for their numbers. They looked so cute and they were smiling. I knew that they were ready to show everyone how much their hard work had paid off. I was excited for them because I've been in their shoes. Bursting at the seems with so many emotions, wanting nothing to go wrong and feeling preemptively proud but mostly just accomplished.  There was a lot of scrambling at first but once we got everything ready to go it was so much fun! As I mentioned earlier, I got looped into a solo for the opening number "Man in the Mirror" and while I was anxiously practicing for that solo I was awarded a singing partner. Chadlley, a fourteen year old boy, was kind enough to sing the part with me only after a little practice. I can't explain what it was but even after a short interaction I appreciated that relationship most of all the people I'd met so far. While we were singing he was glowing. It was as if being a part of this made him so happy and afterward we hugged each other and for whatever reason it felt like we had been good friends for a long time. Chadlley is the kind of kid that I know is going to make it. His enthusiasm really lit up the entire room for me and no matter our age difference we were equal.  The concert continued with dance numbers from community members and the kids and everyone had a great time! While I was sitting in the audience, I felt swallowed up by this community. It could have been the worst performance ever but everyone was supporting each other, clapping along and showing just how much they cared. In some ways this overwhelming sense of community made me miss being home because I was thinking of all the times I've felt proud of someone's accomplishments and wanted to stand up and say "you mean the world to me" but at the

same time I was just so happy.

When we arrived home from the concert, Aunti Reeni had company. It was a woman and her husband and their grandchild who were her close friends from when she first moved to Ocean View. Many years ago they lived above her in their flat (apartment) in the township.  They became good friends then and their friendship is still strong today. They were also Muslim and I was happy to find that I could relate to a lot of their values regarding marriage and other things having to do with religion even though our religions are different. One thing I learned is that sometimes  religion may be a barrier, it is also something that ties us all together. Although we did not believe the exact same things we  could agree that our belief in God and our rituals were significant and important in out lives. We spoke about everything from apartheid to religion to education and also places to visit.  I really liked listening to her passion as she told us about finding Islam and embracing the religion she loves so much. The day before, Aunti Reeni shared with us about her experience with Haaj, the journey to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, and how it helped her to rediscover herself and her happiness. I was really motivated by how connected these women are in the midst of a very Christian culture and that no matter what gets in the way they stay true to their beliefs. One interesting thing is that they suggested the Muslims were in the middle of apartheid. They were oppressed because of the color of their skin but their religion teaches that all people are equal and for that reason they felt that if they believed then they could continue living happy lives and that the challenges would get easier.   I learned that many people do not support affirmative action and that in some ways it is continuing the history of segregation in South Africa by giving people jobs based on their race. I wondered why I felt differently about this situation in South Africa than I did back home. What I realized is that I do not feel that affirmative action in South Africa encourages diversity the same way I expect it does in America. I feel that instead it’s an apology to those who are still suffering from the oppressive acts of this young history. The impacts of this affirmative action are prohibitive to many people; although blacks are able to get jobs and earn higher incomes the classified coloureds are unable to earn their own money because for every three blacks employed only one cloured person is given a job in the same field. I am constantly surprised at how deep the repercussions of apartheid years truly are. I also learned that even though so many people did not support apartheid, some people voted for the National Party in the first election because they felt that white people knew how to run the country best. This was partially because they felt that the African National Party's ideas were so radical that they were skeptical that it would work. I was thankful that I am taking a class on South African history and politics because I was able to actively participate in the conversation and ask questions. I learned a lot from this conversation and one thing that I was surprised about was that throughout  the conversation they kept saying things like "I'm not really racist, but…" and also "when we say "white" we're not referring to you". I was wondering if they were saying that because they were trying to justify everything that they were saying or if they felt uncomfortable. It reminded me that your opinions are valid no matter what they are and I was sad when they felt that they needed to make excuses for or justify what they were saying. Their history runs so deep that they cannot be faulted for their opinions because this is how people grew up. I don't necessarily agree with many people's views regarding race here but I definitely understand why they  said what they said. Her friend was quite the chatterbox, according to the husband, and because of that this was one of the most informative conversations I've had yet since being in Cape Town. I wouldn't say that the conversation was entirely factual but I was glad to learn about their opinions. The conversation was really lively and I was appreciative for the opportunity to listen and learn.

South Africa Monopoly!

On Saturday we just relaxed and enjoyed our time with our host family. At night, we played Monopoly. At first the board looked just like the one we were used to. We were shocked when we realized that it was actually the South African version. The "boardwalk" was "Clifton" which is right by the water in a wealthy area. Instead of railroads the board had airports. Also the board was in Afrikaans and English. It was a fun challenge to see how many places we could recognize. Look and see how many places you can recognize! I really liked playing a familiar game but it was also something that was really unfamiliar at the same time.  Near the end, Savitri was losing and nearing bankruptcy so Aunti Reeni started to give her discounts and charity. She said that if you have a lot you should always give charity and if you have a little you should give what you can. The game bounced between no mercy and playfulness until it was midnight and we went to bed. When we woke up we were rested and soon fed to our fill with roti (a traditional sort of fried dough/wrap) and fruit. Soon it was time to go and I was just thinking how amazing it was to have had this opportunity. Many people do not get the chance to see a different country and often when they do they live in comfortable, familiar environments. This was real and while I was enjoying my experience I kept just thinking how fortunate I am and while my situation in this homestay is temporary this is someone's life and I respect the townships way more after staying in one for even just a few days.

Just before we arrived in Ocean View a woman said to me "it's interesting that you Americans come all the way across the world to visit these townships and I've lived here my whole life and I won't cross over there even to go to the dentist".  While visiting Ocean View I learned the value of community. I started to see how many people extend their families to friends and neighbors and that true family in South Africa is really special. I realized how big of a role faith plays in many people lives and I learned that supporting each other and expecting nothing in return is so important in life. After this weekend, I feel like I want to go back to to the woman I met and say that yes I've seen violence and drug abuse and been looked at because I am white and it is a bit scary but I've seen happiness, support, motivation, encouragement, empowerment, religion, music, and love too and that's why I went "over there".

On Confidence and Personal Growth

A few years ago, I would have been the person to dominate every conversation. I would interrupt you to share my ideas and every response would be a rebuttal, guaranteed. My enthusiasm would kill anyone's positivism because they wouldn't be able to show me that they cared too. I needed to learn how to appreciate the concept "step up, step back". Over the past few years I've had so many wonderful, stimulating experiences that have allowed me to look beyond the personality that I allow many people to see and examine my real self. It's a hard thing to do but with feedback and also time I've changed into a person that I really like. I will be the first to admit that I am still talkative and definitely enthusiastic but I find myself caring about what others want to say and gaining an immense appreciation for observation. Even when I do interrupt or offend, which happens of course, I recognize that I am wrong and I think that's a respectable quality. When I think about who I want to be, I feel confident that I want to be a leader but not someone who is resented. I want to be a teacher but also a learner. These balances are what make us human and our own goals, I think, are what makes us unique. I realized that I need to respect how I'm thinking and feeling and that being the optimistic, "always look at the bright side" type of girl can only get me so far. It felt like I was fake at times because when someone was upset I'd list off the good things that could come from it and that didn't feel realistic to me. I began to think that I was trying to be someone else. Not that being positive isn't a good thing but that I wasn't allowing myself to feel other emotions. I was forcing myself to accept that this was how I "should" be when really I'm a whole person that I needed to get to know. When I gave myself a chance I noticed that my mind is boggling with questions about equality, justice, rights and wrongs, people, and especially group dynamics. I was brought up to believe that no question is a bad question but in some ways this new appreciation for what I'm thinking had gotten me caught up in a web of things I never considered before  and I'm learning a lot about me.

Here's what I mean…

While I'm learning so  much about race and service and diversity in my life there are so many things to think about and I'm determined to speak my mind. What's not linking up though is that in my head what I have to say sounds good and I know there is meaning behind my words but once I say them I feel like I need to swallow them back up because my curiosity about group dynamics has led me to watch so closely a for people's reactions that if the reaction is met by resentment I freeze up. Then I almost expect to be met with dissent which makes it hard to be confident in my own words. So in saying this, I'm trying to relay that although someone might seem confident on the outside, they may not be letting on how hesitant they really are. For me this means that even when I speak my mind the instant that I'm finished talking, and it might be a while later, I find myself regretting what I've said or feeling as if I need to justify why I said what I did with more words.   It's like as soon as I speak I'm questioning myself. But why? Even in the smallest of situations I'm wondering if what I said was right, should I agree more often, speak less? And then when I'm actually speaking sometimes I'm telling myself to just stop because it's no use since I feel like what I say in the end is not important. Knowing that I have a point to make means nothing after I've made the point and when I recognize the way that people speak to each other I am realizing that what often times when people say offensive things nobody points it out. We are taught to avoid confrontation and that leads to people settling or backing down. We have created an environment that encourages people's ideas to be stifled and we lie to ourselves and say that each person should be heard when really our idea of a respectful conversation is being overshadowed by this new sensation that whoever is loudest or speaks most is the right one. Then it's a constant struggle to determine if you are speaking enough to be heard or speaking too much and being tuned out. It's a tough situation to find yourself in because often times the people around you have no idea that's what you're dealing with.

 

Though this experience and great friends, I'm finding it easier to confront what I've been telling myself was not an issue. I am reminding myself that I do not need to justify what I say or have an excuse for my actions. It's hard to tell yourself that you are doing the right thing when your own mind is meeting you with an argument. In this way I think my biggest opponent is myself. What I'm learning though is that it is important to be  proud of who you are and confident but also accommodating. I think that this means that we should appreciate where we have come from and understand that not everyone has the same life experiences that got them to this point. And I guess I'm saying "we" because even in this context it's easier. In our classes we talk a lot about consensus making and how that differs from group think. What I know is that consensus making is not supposed to be an opportunity for one person to speak and others to use their points as platforms for their argument later on. Rather, consensus making should be about hearing what people have to say and figuring out how to really work as a group to respect each other's needs but also wants. I noticed that when people are passionate they stop listening. This is not always the case but I feel that sometimes other people's turn to talk is just a time for people around to think about what they will say next instead of actually listening.  When someone speaks they should feel heard, not tolerated,  in all aspects of the definition. I am setting a goal for myself to be less worried about what others think and how they respond to what I say and be more focused on believing in the power of words, mine and others. I want to advocate for people who are less vocal but not speak for them because they have the right to say what they are thinking through their words and actions. I hope to develop the skills to feel heard and to appreciate the beauty in saying exactly what I think and letting it ring. As we all change and challenge ourselves this semester I know I'll be conscious of my role as a leader, teacher, mentor, friend, learner, and teammate during this experience. By writing this I am showing that I think what I have to say is important and I know that my words will be valued and respected and I am taking the first step to making a difference for me!

But "WE" Know Who's Who

Thinking of being at City Mission Educational Services is enough to get me out of bed at any hour because each day I learn something new and also create new relationships. The kids are just amazing and I am dying to get to know them better. This morning, we were running late, as usual, but we showed up just in time to jump into the day's activities. 

This whole time we've been here, race has been a huge topic of discussion. In class last week we talked about race as both arbitrary and also quite strict. We discussed measuring race and also how race came to be an issue by watching a film series called Race: The Power of an Illusion. I am finding that there are so many questions that I am going to have to accept I might never have answers for. In Cape Town, racial classification is a big deal. Everyone is "something" and often times the justifications are so unclear.  Although this buzz word, race, has been on my mind for the past few weeks, I was really caught off guard by the events that occurred in the classroom during today's lessons.

After a hectic lesson about the media and dieting in grade six life orientation the class got out of hand. The students are expected to write the questions in their notebooks from the board and then answer them independently. The amount of distractions in the room makes it incredibly hard for many students to even focus enough to copy the words from the board. One teacher (I will not use any names) takes a violent approach to classroom management. When the learners would get out of their seats she might slap them over the head with a notebook or even hit their hands with rulers if they were not writing their work. Sometimes the children lay under the desks during class and she will walk over and kick them. As you can imagine, the class is often out of control. The teacher does this mostly in a playful manner but on occasion the student does not laugh after the encounter and then the entire class goes silent. Today the students accused her of "child abuse" but she recanted that they don’t even know what abuse is. This brought the class to an uproar.  As an observer this classroom is  incredibly hard for me to see and tolerate. I've come to accept it as a way that she interacts with them but I have noticed that the students behave so much better with less instigating methods of discipline. The children were out of control and the accusations were flying.

One student, John, who is black called out this coloured teacher on discriminating against the black students. He said that she only hits the black kids and only disciplines the black students. She argued that it was not the case. She made an example of a quiet boy who is black who never gets disciplined and it's because he is sensitive and even though he doesn't do his work she'd never hit him because he couldn't take it.  While I was observing this situation I realized that the only kids who were misbehaving were the black kids. It made sense to me why they were the only ones being disciplined, it had nothing to do with their race, but to the children this was racism as clear as it can be. They were adamant about their accusations and they began to yell in Xhosa. Many black people's primary language is Xhosa. When the students get upset they revert back to a comfortable language and speak and swear in Xhosa. What they were saying was clearly offensive because the teacher walked out of the room after saying, "I don’t want to teach you anymore".  I noticed that there are many divides in just one classroom. There are blacks and coloureds, girls and boys, street kids, township kids, poor kids, smarter kids, and really motivated kids too.  This sort of categorization is so common in Cape Town classrooms but to me it's really just a distraction from what should be going on, learning. The children are used to labeling each other; they cannot get past categorizing each other and appreciate who each other actually is.

After the argument in the classroom, another teacher came in to teach "Maths". After she wrote the problems on the board the previous conversation continued. Arthur and John pulled her aside and instead of copying  the problems from the board they began to voice their complaints. They said that they felt that they were being discriminated by the teacher because they were black. Katelyn, the only girl in the class, kept me informed as my personal translator. She told me they were feeling discriminated against and at first I asked her what for. She said "for their race of course" and that took me by surprise. I know that race is such a big deal here but to me I don't see the difference. Everyone who is "black" is black and everyone who is "white" is white to me.  Since that has been my American perspective I had trouble understanding this dilemma. I decided not to press this issue with the students but in private I asked one of the teachers to explain this in depth. After a while I asked her where the line is drawn. I understood that there was a separation and also it was a big part of life but I couldn't understand when someone was dark enough to be black or light enough to be coloured. She thought this was so funny and asked me if I saw everyone the same. I shyly said that I did and I really could not identify one or the other. After she laughed at me she started to show me by using examples of students from the classroom and pointing out which categorization they were. She then asked me to identify which race one of the students was. I said I didn't know. This was because I was afraid of being wrong because I thought that the student might find it more offensive but really I also felt so uncomfortable about calling someone out on their race when I didn't even know their name. It felt dehumanizing. She told me the boy was coloured and then she said that it was ok if I didn't know who was who because "we" do. 

This entire situation opened my eyes to how differently people see race here. For the rest of the day I found myself trying to  decipher who was which race and it made me a bit confused and I wondered why it mattered to me. Before that conversation, I wouldn't have given anyone's race more than a passing glance but afterward I have realized that I have a lot to learn and even more to think about. 

Have YOU had traditional African cuisine?

On Saturday morning I woke up to a stranger in my kitchen…

At first this was daunting but after a brief explanation it was all clear. Busi was preparing us a meal we would never forget! One of the best things about being here is meeting people. Admittedly, I haven't met as many people as I would like just yet but I am excited to continue to talk to people and ask questions as this experience continues. Busi is our neighbor's sister but she also has a catering business. After speaking with  her a few nights ago, she found out that we had never been served a traditional African meal and she was determined to show us what we were missing. We could have never anticipated what that might entail but I can't imagine any of us were disappointed in the results.

Braai fish! 

Early Saturday morning Busi started shopping and a few hours later she was ready to begin cooking. Every assortment of food was being prepared and we were all really curious. After a day in town our home smelled amazing but all the food was gone. Busi was cooking for her clients so I was really confused but I learned afterward that our meal would be prepared the next day. All along I thought that she was preparing a meal that would take two days. I was so impressed with her skills; while we flounder around the kitchen trying to cook the simplest of foods and turning knobs and wondering if things are working Busi was so comfortable and knew what to do. She was as familiar with this kitchen as her own at times and proved to be a real chef.

A hearty serving of butternut squash!

On Sunday, Busi was back at it! This time she was preparing our meal and while we got ready for our days off Busi was working hard. By the afternoon, when we returned home, fish was being cooked on the stove and everything was coming along. We were all so excited to try everything that smelled so great but first we were off to the Freshlyground, one of South Africa's most popular music groups, concert where we danced and  relaxed and enjoyed the Cape Town vibe. During the concert, we were all having so much fun and a woman was filling wine glasses for her friends and then she turned to me and filled mine too! Afterward, she handed me the bottle and told me to keep the rest and said "Welcome to Cape Town". It was a friendly reminder that this community extends so far and that small gesture meant a lot to me. The experience was amazing, peaceful and wholesome.We enjoyed the sounds of the beautifully diverse Freshlyground until the last sounds of the encore and headed home with anticipation of our meal.

Malleson Girls <3 (photo credit: Liz Sarant)

As with most things in Cape Town, we could have never expected what we would come home to. When we arrived, the table was full of food. The spread was amazing ranging from vegetarian dishes to meat that many of us had never even seen before. We had creamed spinach, butternut squash, vegetable curry, prawn curry, tripe, Ox feet, three types of fish, and pap which is a South African starch porridge type side dish. We were overwhelmed with the amount of food but also the variety and more than that we were appreciative beyond belief. I've spent a lot of time around the Christian faith during this journey and I felt like this would have been a time to pray. I have no idea why, but I was feeling thankful myself and I've just come to expect it. No prayers were given because we were all reaching and serving each other. Of course pictures were taken! 

Hey dinner, is that you?!

The food was amazing as expected. I cannot recall a time when my house of ten girls was ever so quiet since the day we arrived, including when everyone is sleeping. We were taking in each and every bite and could only speak to say how good something was, ask for more, or complain about how full we were. Since I could not try everything (Kosher problems) I was so anxious to see everyone reactions to the Ox feet in particular but also the tripe.  I was asking everyone about the taste and texture and I was so intrigued by the entire experience. My curiosity was boiling over. Although I was left in a "butternut coma" I was so pleased with the entire meal, especially what I could eat. I particularly enjoyed the braai fish that was served whole. I fell in love with this in Uganda it as I was delicately (but also messily) picking the fish off the bones I felt so happy. I was blissfully lost in new memories and old alike and I once again felt elated and luckier than anyone I know. I'm learning how easy it is to be impacted by small gestures and it's pretty exciting how much happiness you can feel from small things. It gives a whole new perspective to life when the sun and a smile in the morning can bring you to tears. Cape Town is changing me.