"Imizamo Yethu" aka Mandela park

Today we went over to Mandela Park also known as "Imizamo Yethu" and we saw the poor part of South Africa. For the past few days I have been saying that I can't believe that I'm in Africa because everything looks rich and expensive but today I actually saw the real part of Africa, and I can't really put it in words because it was so sad to walk through the townships. There were dogs and children everywhere and the place looked dirty and sad. I just can't believe how these rich people that live the other side of the mountains can live knowing there are poor people on the other side. I was speechless, there was really nothing I could say but to walk through the townships and see how many people lived in this situation. Some lived in brick houses but majority lived in shacks. As we walked through, there many kids that smiled and waved at us. Our tour guide is friend of Nates and she showed us around and took us to one of her friends who invited us in to look around her place. And she kept saying "the outside looks bad, and dirty but as you look inside its livable and nice" Which it was, she had bathroom, kitchen, queen size bed but the place was small. I felt like everything was squeezed together because there was no space between the shacks. Today the weather was extremely hot and sweaty and I was thinking how they can live here knowing it get this hot, and not having enough water and food. I still have all this mixed emotions, and as we continue our days here, we learn new things about South Africa that surprise you, and get you speechless. But after seeing the township we went out to eat at this seal island and we got to see seals and I got to buy some key chains and wrist bands at this market. The place looked amazing and beautiful and it was somewhat refreshing after coming from the townships and so much to digest in one day. And we also got a chance to go to the orphanage that we will be volunteering for the next few days, and tomorrow is our first day so happy!. I can't wait till we start working with the children cause then I can feel like we are here to help and make a difference to these people some way.