Bernie's mixed emotions

Bernie feeling at home

 

The past couple of days have been like any other week here in South Africa. I went to internship and did my daily routine. I think that it is crazy to me that I have a daily routine here. It’s as if I have actually lived here my whole life when in reality, I have only been here for about 2 months but it doesn’t feel like it. South Africa feels like home now, and I love it. With Cape Town feeling like I home I am starting to get a little homesick. I have a lot of feelings at the moment as you can tell! I don’t feel homesick as in I miss Connecticut, I miss my family and I wish everyday that they were here to experience this wonderful place. With that in mind though my sister just told me she might be visiting and I am so excited if she does. Then she will understand the love I have for this place and be able to love and experience it for herself! So hopefully she comes to visit! So at the moment it feels like home in Cape Town and I love it and the other half of me feels homesick for my family

John couldn't be happier

There’s not doubt that I’m madly in love with this place. I think it was evident from my first blog post that I could see myself living here on a permanent basis. Everyday I find a new reason to love this place more and more. If it wasn’t for the essays and blog posts I would think I’m one of the greatest vacations I’ve ever taken. My internship doesn’t even feel like work. I love being there and experiencing all that comes behind the scenes of a hospital. This week I was fortunate enough to scrub into the surgery. After weeks of just watching from a couple feet away, I was finally able to get right in and actually interact with the patient. One of the surgeons had to leave and he looks at me and says, “Would you mind helping out, I’m not going to be able to stay the whole surgery.” As eager as I was to jump right in, I had to tell him I have ABSOLUTELY no training and have no idea what to do. He just told me to scrub in and I would simply assist with holding tools and doing small tasks the attending surgeon needed help with. As I was watching my hands in preparation, I felt like one of the doctors in those movies and shows I love to watch.  I got a small glimpse into what my job is going to be like down the line and I couldn’t be happier about it!

Emily E is settling in to life as a resident of Cape Town

I am starting to finally settle into my internship City Mission Educational Services. Having to establish my independence of my own project has been a challenge. I cannot predict how effective my art therapy will be for the learners; but, I know that it will give them freedom to express themselves without judgment. It’s strange that how intimately I know Cape Town (and South Africa) after a month and a half. I know the gorgeous to the deprived areas of the city. I take one of the most common types of transport--the minibus taxi. Though I frequently us my own city bus at home, being on a crowed city bus compared to a crowded minibus taxi is an entirely new level. The fact that I have a common routine every day, which includes things like shopping, makes me more than a visitor to Cape Town--I am a resident who knows more than the common tourist.

Ashlyn feeling at home

As the second week at my internship comes to an end I realize I finally have a routine here in Cape Town. At the beginning of the trip I wanted to do everything and never stop for a moment. Now I have no problem chilling in the house every now and again rather than finding a new crazy adventure. That’s how I know it’s dawned on me that Cape Town really is home for the next three months are not just a vacation. My internship here is going well. Surplus People Project is doing so much as an organization and I find it a little hard to grasp everything. However, I wouldn’t have it any other way. My current niche in Surplus People Project is to assist them on gaining public awareness on the new labour laws in South Africa. The new laws give more rights to labour workers, part-time workers, and contract workers. At the moment I’m working on creating pamphlets on the new laws. I’ve also spent a decent amount of time researching the issues the organization is working towards correcting.

It’s bizarre to think that this adventure just begun but it will also be ending in three months. I feel like there is so much to do and I feel bad repeating things here.  There is no way I can soak up all this beauty before I leave. This weekend I hiked Lion’sHead again and made it to the top this time. The group tried about a week ago but there was sand flying everywhere so we decided to turn around. The view from the top is amazing and we probably spent an hour on top taking pictures. This weekend we’re doing a home stay with a family in Ocean View. I’m excited and nervous, but that’s exactly how I felt coming to Cape Town so I’m not too worried!

Ashlyn with Sam, Becca, John, Taylor, Caitlin, Julia, & Jillian on the top of the world (better know as Lion's Head)

Onna on the engagingly expansive connections, emotions, and ability to love

Everything I am being exposed to has this crazy connection for me right now. We visited our different internships last week, not only did I get SO excited for everyone’s placements but I realized every organization is striving for one common goal: the pure and rawest form of happiness. Whether that is through health, justice, peace, or even caring for endangered animal species, each organization is so passionate about their field. Vernon made sure to always introduce us to each internship and state our organization. I was so pleasantly surprised (and equally nervous) that so many people recognized my internship, Molo Songololo with an eyebrow raise or a “wow”. After visiting Molo I was surprised at all the different areas they cover in a single organization- from children advocacy to victim empowerment to creating awareness camps. I can’t wait to get behind the scenes and expand my knowledge on the politics of children’s human rights laws.

One of my favorite days thus far was last Sunday. We started our morning by going into one of the townships, Gugulethu for a service at the Sivuyile United National Baptist Church completely spoken in Xhosa. This was by far one of the most powerful 2 ½ hours of my trip so far. The energy of the 100+ people crowded into this small chapel was running through my body. Not only did they all have such beautiful voices (which I’ve come to realize rings true for most people in Cape Town…), the spirit and emotion was so very evident. I wouldn’t consider myself a very religious person in general but I was happy, sad, frustrated and hopeful all at the same time. Not one person held back their thoughts or feelings throughout the service as the minister spoke. I couldn’t understand the sermon but I understood all of what I needed to through the reactions of the parishioners. They recognized our group multiple times throughout and I can honestly say that I’ve never felt so welcomed and loved by complete strangers. 

Arts@Home w/ Marianna September

That night we went to Marianna’s house for Jazz Night, which was essentially an open mic for any all musicians, poets, singers, neighbors. She encouraged us to spark up conversations with people we have never seen before. The fact that she opens up her home to anyone wanting to speak their mind and unleash their creativity was so inspiring. I’m realizing more and more that the amount of love that we can give to this world has no end. 

Faith Tererai's  powerful poetry

Taylor L is settling into and developing new routines

As we passed the two-week mark, our orientation came to a close. I never imagined that in such a short period of time I would be as comfortable taking a mini-bus taxi, a regular taxi, the train, or the Jammie. When I have to use public transportation in the States, I become very overwhelmed. So nevertheless, I was pretty nervous before our transportation exercise. However my fears have been quelled and I have enjoyed the ease of going to the beach, and to school! It is so nice how convenient getting around is and how nice the drivers are!

While orientation taught us how to be familiar with transportation, it also made me realize how this big city is actually quite small. This feeling was validated when I ran into someone I went to high school with!  In a city of a few million, it was shocking and exciting to see a familiar face. I have no doubt that as we settle here more and meet more Capetonians, that these exciting run-ins will become a common occurrence.   

Now that orientation is over and our classes and internship have begun, it is very nice to have a routine. Although some routines have begun, I can’t wait to see what else we make a routine! I hope we make a routine of all walking together to the Jammie line before class. It was pretty comical looking ahead and seeing a single-file line of students cutting through The Commons. Also, a few of us gathered together and made chicken and beef tacos, and we joked that this would become a weekly family style dinner. By adding final things to our routine, we can settle in and make the most out of our remaining three months in this beautiful city! 

Muizenberg Beach