I could not believe it was the last day. I woke up and got ready to head out to Boulders beach to go see some penguins. We took the train there and it was fun looking out the window and realizing how beautiful a place could be, and how much I would miss it. It was also sad because our time had finally come; it was all happening to quick. As we tried to make it to Simons town, we ran into a pickle, first we had made it to the last train stop, but we still had to get on a different one to make it to Simons town. We had asked someone for help and they told us to go stand on the other side of the track, and that the next train would take us. So we did, the most hilarious but disturbing thing happened. A little girl walks by and with long hair. Carla busted out that is the youngest weave I have ever seen. It was funny because the girl that was about four had long weave in. Besides the little girl, we had gotten on the wrong train. We noticed that when the train starting going back the way we had come. Therefore, we got off and got on the right train. We made it to boulders beach we saw some penguins. It sucked because it was raining but it was all good. We went and ate some lunch at this nice place. After that, we headed back towards Cape Town so we could finish last minute shopping at the Green Market. We were late to circle but we still made it. After that, we prepared for our last Braii. It was great seeing everyone there and having a good time. We ate delicious food and had fire going outside. It could not get any better. After taking a bunch of pictures with everyone, a few of us headed out Down Town. It was a great night. The next morning was not so great though. I was tired and not ready to leave. Jessica T, Carla, Natalie, Curtly, Mikalya, Marika and I headed out to what would be our last breakfast in Cape Town. It was great eating with all of them. I hope we could do it again. We left the restaurant and headed to our houses to get our luggage. We said bye to everyone and headed out to the airport. It was unrealistic, just like the day we had arrived. I could not believe we were in South Africa. That is how I felt when I got to the airport. Are we actually heading back home? After a long long plane ride we had made it to Washington, where had some problems trying to get everyone on the plane. Some of the students were stuck at customs still; we could not find two of the students. Everyone was wondering if they would make it on time. However, in the end everyone managed to make it. We arrived to Minneapolis; I was at shock because I could not believe I was back home. I know I will miss everyone that was on the trip. I cannot wait to go back. We all need to get together and relive this wonderful experience.
Daisy Hidalgo: January 2012 Archives
Cooking meals for about 400 or 500 people at Afrika Tikkun was great. We had a couple tears thanks to the onions. However, the gist of this for me was enjoying spending time with some of my new friends that I had met. We all fooled around while in the process but it was all great. Some of the others helped paint one of the offices, and organize a storage room. After a great day in the morning, we finally had the chance to try the food we had prepared. It was good. The time had finally came it was time to head out to Gugguleto where we were going to have a Braii at Mzolis, an excellent restaurant that was in the township. Before we left though Anthea had told us that we would all be eating out of the same bowl, I was hesitant when she had said this. In my mind, I thought that it was not a great idea to have all 26+ of us put our hands in this bowl full of food. In the end, it was not bad. We all had fun and ate delicious food. I also bought a shirt that said South Africa and that completed my shopping list, at least for me. After many pictures and giggles with the food, we headed out of Gugguleto, and the next thing on our list for that day was of course class. I enjoyed class that day. We talked about not forgetting what we had experienced in South Africa and ways in which we could contribute back to our community at home and Afrika Tikkun, and Educo. In the evening, we went to a jazz bar. It was the first time I had gone to a Jazz place. I enjoyed hearing the music and it made me feel relaxed. After a long and exciting day, it was finally time to head back home.
It sad to see a small child outside of a restaurant and walk passed him as if he was not even there. Today I missed Austin after meeting him for about 15 min. He is an eleven-year-old boy with four other siblings. He simply asked for food, we ordered food for him and the rest of his family. How can people be so blind, he is just a child? I am glad I made this trip. It has made me stronger and understanding person. I know the problems at home do not compare to what people in South Africa have to go through, specially the children here. The only thing on my mind right now, is if Austin made it home safely. I cannot stop thinking about Austin. Then I wonder of all the thousands of kids that have to go through the same situation. If people we understanding of these situations I feel things would not be so bad in our society. This tie in with Ubuntu, people start the process of healing by forgiving. If you cannot forgive those who have hurt you. How can you go around asking others to do the same? You have to start somewhere. I am not trying to say that in order for you to realize the struggle that others face; you have to go all around the world. However, educating yourself on situations like these is the first step. It is sad to say that people are aware of this, it is worse because they are not doing anything about it. My main goal in life has been to help others who are in need. This trip to me is not about fun and games, as I tell friends back home, no matter the job I have I really do not care about the income that I get. Money is just paper that people find so valuable. It may be something that many people hope to have, but if you have enough money to support and help others there really is no point in you having it if you are not willing to help. I find more about myself on this trip. When we visited the townships, I wanted to cry when one of the girls was singing a song. I do not quite understand why, it was not that I felt sorry or pity for them, I was happy I guess because I was there with them and seeing them happy made me want to cry more and never leave. The point of my blog is not to tell people what I did and how they should thank me for helping Austin out, the point of this is to educate people on what children like Austin have to go through on a daily basis. If your readings this thanks for taking some time to read and educate yourself about the struggles that children in South Africa go through and in other countries as well. I will always think of you Austin.
As we made our way to our first day of service in Delft, I thought I was prepared for what awaited us on this beautiful day in South Africa. It amazes me how things can change so quickly in mere seconds. Working at the garden in Afrika Tikkun today was great. I felt like I had finally come to do what I was expecting this trip would be. Which were Service learning and social justice. However, after we had worked on the garden in the morning. We headed off to the community hospital. Before getting there though we walked through Delft, it was surprising to see how many people were up and about. Many people came out of their houses or peeked out of their windows when they saw our group walk past. Some of them said hi, other waved. I was wondering if the people in Delft were expecting something from us, I mean we were a big group and we were on our way to the Community hospital. If I saw someone new walk around my neighborhood, I would have that sense that they were here to do something. As that was going through my mind, at the same time trying to figure out what the people there thought of us. We made it to the hospital. When I think of hospitals back home imaging this place where there are a few people waiting to be seen by a doctor and many nurses there to help. When we walked into the hospital, I had a strange feeling that the hospital was nothing like the hospitals back home. When the sister started talking to us about the situation, of the hospital I wondered how is that in the U.S, there are hundreds of hospitals and people working in them and here in Delft there is the hospital that offers free service to millions of people but only have a limited amount of staff? Back to what the sister was saying, everything she talked about inspired me even more to go home and do something about the situation, whether it was raising money to send or support Afrika Tikkun I feel anything would help. Walking through the hospital was a real revelation. At times, I was afraid to look up and see how many people had been waiting in line just to be seen. I know that many of us as humans show emotions, I am not saying it is a bad thing, but as Anthea said by us crying how is that really helping anyone, I know some of the things we saw today were painful to see and we feel the need to cry, I won't lie I cried too. However, I thought how I could do something about the unfair treatment that people in third world countries have to go through. Many of us like me have done so much just by taking that small step to come to South Africa. I feel that now that we know what is happening, it is up to us to educate others about it so that we can all make a difference in someone's life, even if it is something so small, like building a garden for the community or visiting people and giving them advice. Because those words of advice you give someone might be the only ones they get in their lives.
