Dani wondering when she will be able to return to Cape Town

My first few weeks after returning from Cape Town have been a very emotional and interesting time.  Leaving Cape Town was the hardest thing I have ever had to do.  It was so difficult to say goodbye to the place that had been my home for five months, and the people who were so much a part of my incredible experiences.  At first, being back in Connecticut felt extremely surreal. It took a few days to settle in and get back into the swing of things and life in the US, but I am finally starting to get used to it again.  The most interesting thing that I've noticed after returning is how much I really have changed since I left for Cape Town in December.  Being surrounded by my family and friends again, I have had some very interesting conversations about Cape Town, and also about the US.  I have helped confront stereotypes about what "Africa" is like, and have also engaged in conversations with various people about inequalities in the US.  It has been my goal to spread more knowledge to those around me about South Africa and also the country we live in, and I believe I have succeeded so far.  It has been frustrating dealing with people who do not seem to understand my experiences, and describing them has been very difficult. However, I have been doing my best to be patient and just know that although others may never quite understand, the most important thing is that I have these incredible experiences and memories in my heart and mind forever, and I do have many others to share them with.  Other than that, I am just wondering when next I will be able to return to Cape Town...

Leaving Cape Town behind . . . .for now

Dani reflecting on this past semester

                   

As the final week of our program comes to a close, I have been reflecting upon this past semester with great joy.  It is unbelievable to think that three and a half months have gone by.  It seems like just yesterday that I was welcoming my fellow Huskies to Cape Town at the airport.  Now, as we come to the end of our journey, I am thinking back on all of the incredible moments and experiences I have shared with some of the most amazing people I have ever met.  I am so thankful to be staying an extra few weeks in Cape Town, because there is no way I would be ready to head home quite yet.

It is hard to sum up the past semester, because there are so many things I have experienced that I simply cannot express with words, I can only say that this has been the most amazing few months of my life, and I would not go back and change a single thing.  Above all, this semester I have learned that incredible things can happen when you take the time to get to know somebody and their story.  You can learn so much by sharing stories and ideas with new people, and taking the time to get to know somebody can really make a positive impact in your life, as well as theirs.  The most important thing I have learned is the importance of keeping an open mind and a positive attitude towards all things in life, because doing so has changed my life in so many incredible ways.

The next few days will be filled with some sad goodbyes, but luckily I know that the friendships I have made this semester are so strong, and we will always be able to share in these incredible memories and South African experiences.  Also, in the next few days Onna, Maria and I will be heading to The Karoo, the desert a few hours from Cape Town, to participate in AfrikaBurn, which is South Africa’s version of Burning Man.  We will be living in the desert for four days and meeting up with my cousin and a friend of his.  I am incredibly excited for this experience, and cannot wait to meet more interesting people there.

Dani loved seeing animals in their natural environment

Emily, Dani, Maria

After spending half of the week in Johannesburg, we made the long journey (an 8 hour-long bus ride) to The Kruger National Park!  This was my first time ever being on a safari and it was absolutely amazing.  I was struck with amazement at how beautiful all of the animals were in their natural environment.  They were all so calm, and at some points during our drive, when everybody in the truck was silent, you could hear how the whole park and all of the animals were so relaxed and quiet as well.

The things we saw were unbelievable- a huge herd of elephants of all sizes and ages passed us by, we saw some lionesses snuggling together in the bush, a herd of hundreds of buffalo crossed the road while two lions laid in waiting to pounce nearby, and so many other beautiful animals and moments that we were lucky enough to witness.  I really could have stayed for another month just quietly observing all of the animals and plants at The Kruger.

           

Now, we are back in Cape Town for the last few weeks of the program.  I can’t believe how quickly the time has passed by- it seems like just yesterday that I met everybody at the airport.  I am feeling very lucky to be spending a few weeks longer after the program ends with my family in Cape Town, because I definitely would not be ready to head back to the states quite yet!  For now, I am just enjoying the last few weeks of the program and trying to soak up as much African sunshine as possible.

Dani valuing what she learned in Jo'burg

This past week, we went on excursion to Johannesburg, and it was an amazing experience.  We visited many important historical sights, and learned so much more about Apartheid and South Africa’s history.  Visiting museums like the Apartheid Museum and the Hector Pieterson Museum was very emotional.  I was struck with sadness at the idea that so many people were murdered during Apartheid simply because of their political views. 

However, I’m glad we had the chance to visit these museums and actually visit the sights where some of the horrible atrocities occurred.  I feel like I know much more about South Africa now, and it’s good that we got to visit these museums because it is important for us to know as much as possible and to be able to bring this knowledge back with us to the US, so that other people can understand more about South Africa, and to ensure that nothing like Apartheid ever happens again.

While in Jo’burg, we also had the chance to visit Soweto, the largest township, where we spent the day at the Boys and Girls Club.  It was great to have the chance to meet children living in Soweto and spend time with them.  All of the children were so sweet, and playing games and spending time with them was lots of fun.  They probably had the best manners I have ever observed in children, and I was impressed with how willing they were to help clean up and better their environment.  I’m so happy that this club exists to give these children a fun place to play together and spend time productively when not in school.

Dani and friends working in the garden at the Boys & Girls Club

Dani's reflecting and learning

As the weeks seem to be flying by, I have been reflecting upon the things I have learned in Cape Town so far.  I have learned so much about South Africa, and also about myself.  Last week in Vincent’s class, we watched a film about the role of music in the struggle against Apartheid.  Music has always been very important to me, so seeing a film with this perspective really stuck with me.  I never realized how much of a difference music can make when getting people to work together for a cause.  Additionally, we watched a film in Marita’s class about women from different backgrounds discussing various issues.  It struck me that no matter what background a person is from, everybody has their own struggles and their own triumphs as well.

Being in South Africa has helped reinforce the notion that everybody has their own intricate life story, and everybody has hardships that you may not be able to know just by looking at them.  I have come to understand that it is so important to hold back initial judgments and really try to learn somebody’s story, because everybody has something amazing to say.  I have also understood that I have been given many privileges, and it is hard for me to grasp this, because I have been wondering what makes me worthy of the life I was given, when so many others are less fortunate than I?  Knowing this makes me want to continue to get to know as many peoples’ stories as possible, and help others as much as I can so that everybody can enjoy their lives to the fullest.

Dani appreciating the relaxed vibe of Cape Town

As we continue with our weekly routine, I am constantly grateful for how comfortable and at-home I feel in Cape Town.  Living here has been amazing, and I am seriously tempted to come back again after graduating from UConn to live here for longer, as five months really is not enough time.  I have already learned so much, and have grown so much as a result of living in this culture, and can really appreciate the overall friendly and relaxed vibe that can be felt in the air in Cape Town.

This weekend, about half of us in the group had our final qualifying scuba dive at Windmill Beach in Simonstown.  While underwater, we saw the beauty of aquatic life here- we swam amongst large kelp forests, saw huge starfish, colorful sea anemones, sea urchins, and a gorgeous purple and white spotted fish swam right next to me for a few minutes.  I am so happy to be a certified scuba diver, and use this skill for the rest of my life!

Maria & Dani

In addition, my internship at Maitland Cottage Hospital is going well.  Many of the children who used to seem sad and quiet have gotten very comfortable with us, and really have perked up.  It’s so wonderful to see the children in the hospital smiling and playing happily.  Seeing these children happy always makes my day brighter, and it is great to know that we have helped in their healing process by smiling and laughing with them.

Dani surrounded by people who want to make the world a better place

This past weekend, we went to Goedgedacht olive farm for our Human Rights training weekend.  The farm was a beautiful backdrop for a great weekend, where we got to meet lots of new people from all over South Africa and other African countries, including Zambia and Kenya, where my roommate Grace was from.  I learned so much about human rights, and also learned a lot from my peers.

When speaking to a 30 year old man from Somalia, I learned that he moved to South Africa on his own, with no money and no contacts, at the age of 17.  Once arriving, he had to begin working very hard, and saved about 95% of his earnings, so he did not have any leisure time to relax.  He has also dealt with physical and emotional abuse many times, attacked simply because he is a refugee.  He told us that he has gone through so many painful experiences that he no longer has the ability to laugh or smile often, which broke my heart to hear.  Nobody should ever be treated the way he has been, and it is so sad to realize that he is just one victim among so many others. 

Although we did learn about some bad violations of human rights, we also learned ways that we can help educate our peers about rights that all humans share, and what we can do to help ensure that more people’s rights are realized.  So many inspiring and motivated peers surrounded us, and I have faith that we all can change the future of our world.  On Sunday, Christina and I woke up at 6 in the morning to watch the sun rise over the farm.  It was gorgeous, and we reflected on our lives, realizing how lucky we are to be surrounded by good people who want to make the world a better place, and discussed how amazing our time in Cape Town has been so far.