Christina on the many sides of Cape Town

The past few days have all been amazing and busy as orientation is now coming to an end. My journey here has only just begun although I feel like I’ve done so much already. We’ve been on amazing tours, seen beautiful gardens, and have met incredible people. 

           

One evening we got to attend an event called the Arts at Home hosted at a woman’s house. People from the local community came and performed including singers, a brass band, a rapper, and poets as well. The talent these people had was incredible and the message from a young poet named Faith nearly brought me to tears as she recited her piece about an abusive father. All these people who performed were so amazing and don’t come from the nicest areas, yet they find a sense of togetherness and belonging through art. It was amazing to be there and get the opportunity to be so welcomed in such a powerful environment

           

On Sunday we had the opportunity to attend a concert, JimmyNevis, at the most beautiful gardens I’ve ever seen, Kirstenbosch. The gardens are set right along Table Mountain with amazing flowers, food, and people. Such an amazing beautiful place and I’m thankful to have gone but during orientation we’ve also gotten the privilege to see not only the beautiful places Cape Town has to offer, but also the parts such as the townships, a constant reminder of the struggles the city still faces today. 

           

Kirstenbosch Gardens Summer Concert Series

It’s hard to even begin with the emotions I encountered while visiting each township. The conditions these people live in are horrid with poor sanitation, shacks as homes, and fear of crime such as gang violence and rape everyday. Yet you see kids playing and smiling outside, people who have good jobs such as working in the police force and you think how can these people succeed and find happiness when they live in the places they do. It’s amazing that they do but these visits just made poverty so real when we’re so sheltered from it in the U.S. and it reminds me how thankful I am for all I have. But South Africa is such a progressive country and has so many beautiful and wonderful things to offer; yet there is so much work to be done as well.  And now orientation has come to an end and classes and internships start soon. My time here so far still seems surreal but the journey is only beginning.