Julia's busy week

Caitlin, Taylor, Ashlyn, Julia

This weekend we went sand boarding at Atlantis Beach. I’m a person that usually does not like things like this, since I don’t like speed or things I can’t easily control, but I had a surprisingly good time sand boarding on the dunes. I was able to stand up and make it down most of the dune without falling- I have the pictures to prove it! We were also in a group with two young boys, aged 10 and 13, and their mother. They were from Norway, but have lived in a variety of places like Russia and now Johannesburg. They were really what kept us going the whole day up and down the dunes- a work out in itself. The boys were fun and playful- they didn’t mind wrestling us or pushing us down the dunes. We acted as if we were long time family friends or siblings. It brought back memories of me and my brother fighting and fooling around in our living room. For me, that was a really good feeling, despite not even knowing these kids.

           

I also had a really good week at my internship. The volunteers I’m closest with came in this week, so automatically my week gets 100% better. It really is all about the people I work with that make my internship worth it.

           

On Saturday, Human Rights Day, I went to the Potter’s Market with a few people. I bought two things from the pottery group in Langa that we visited during orientation. Their pottery was by far the most beautiful of the whole market, and the proceeds go to help people in Langa. I can’t say what I bought, since my parents read this religiously, but they’re both unique items that they will love. I was surprised to see though that Human Rights Day wasn’t a big deal. I was expecting a parade or other festivities- but I didn’t hear about anything special happening. I know the GEU is doing a Human Rights Week next week, though.

           

Lastly, I forgot to mention in my last blog post that I saw Archbishop Desmond Tutu at a Friday morning service at St. George’s Cathedral with Marita. Although I’m not a very religious person, it was a good service. Tutu went around and asked each tourist where he or she was from and why he or she was in South Africa- so I actually got to speak to him! That’s such a cool thing to do; it really shows he’s interested in the people and their story as well. I also took a picture with him at the end of the service. Seeing him was definitely worth the early wake up.