Posted Shut up and listen to EDHD 3100 - South Africa: Tracing the Footsteps of Social Change 2010/11
Today was not a day I necessarily expected, but regardless, I have learned so much about things I never thought I'd learn about in South Africa. Today I have realized the power of voice, and even more, the pure raw information and different viewpoints and outlooks from simply opening up one's ears and listening. I think it is just human nature to be able to voice one's opinion and make your voice be heard, but shutting up and taking it all in is most worth our while. I may regret saying this years down the line and may someday completely...
Posted Keep your limbs inside the cage at all times & ALWAYS wear sunscreen to EDHD 3100 - South Africa: Tracing the Footsteps of Social Change 2010/11
Today we were granted a free day so me and 4 other students decided to go shark cage diving. After seeing youtube videos on this place, I was very hesitant, but all and all, I'm still alive!! We left our place around 9:30 to take a two hour drive to the great white shark capital of Africa. After a small orientation type thing, we were off to the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The workers explained to us that they are "eco-friendly" and marine biologists, and they do research on the sharks as we're trying to see them up close....
Posted Reality Check to EDHD 3100 - South Africa: Tracing the Footsteps of Social Change 2010/11
I've been debating writing this entry for most of the night because the last two days have been some of the most difficult days of my entire life, and I don't know if I can put it into words. I feel a lot of what we've been seeing is only believable if you are here. Being here makes all the problems about HIV and townships around the Cape Town area seem real, blunt, and in your face, and that's entirely in a good, eye-opening way, but it is so incredibly difficult to deal with. Going to a township, Mandela Park,...
Posted Hope to EDHD 3100 - South Africa: Tracing the Footsteps of Social Change 2010/11
Amanda has given a great summary of everything we did today, so I'm not going to give you another recap of that. All I do know is that in this trip, my brain has constantly been filled with question after question, and endless information. Although this has led to a lack of sleep the past few nights because I can't turn my brain off for a few hours, I am trying to ingest every moment and every small detail of Cape Town. After today and visiting the District Six museum, I feel a closeness with this country because I am...
Posted A birthday to remember to EDHD 3100 - South Africa: Tracing the Footsteps of Social Change 2010/11
Last night will forever be remembered as the best birthday ever. Not only did we get to celebrate in the streets of Cape Town, I got to hear the entire group of amazing people joining me on this journey sing "happy birthday" to me when the clock struck midnight in the middle of Long Street. Let's just say it was pretty awesome. I've really begun to love this place. This country is filled with incredible people, and if you are willing to go out of your comfort zone to make conversation, they're willing and happy to talk. We took a...
Posted On the lookout for a cockroach... to EDHD 3100 - South Africa: Tracing the Footsteps of Social Change 2010/11
Seven of us were just on top of the table fearing the lovely cockroach that ran across the room. We're still in search for that little bugger...kind of worried it might appear in my bed with me tonight. Anyway, today I tip-toed into the Indian Ocean for the first time and the water was freezing. I never actually thought I'd have the chance to step foot in that ocean, but I am so lucky to get the opportunity through this program. The day was great, and we had the time to just relax and see a bit more of Cape...
Posted Hello, Cape Town! to EDHD 3100 - South Africa: Tracing the Footsteps of Social Change 2010/11
Waking up today was definitely not the easiest. We got into Cape Town last night at around midnight and my body doesn't exactly know how to deal with the time change and the lack of sleep I got the last 24 hours. I have never been this happy to have two feet on the ground! After a 8 hour flight to Amsterdam, 4 hour wait for our connecting flight, and 12 hour flight to Cape Town, we have finally arrived. The longest flight I've ever been on before this was hmm...5 hours to San Diego and I thought that was...
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