Becca is ready to explore the many different sides of Cape Town

It is crazy to think that this one city has so many different sides to it and I feel very blessed to be able to not only see it within my first week here in Cape Town but I constantly get to explore each of these sides while I am here. There is the beautiful coast lines that reminded so much of the ocean around New England and yet it was a totally new ocean where I can see and explore any time I want. There are also the vineyards in the north that cascade along the mountains that are beautiful and breath-taking. Going there felt like stepping out of reality and exploring the parks all the craft market was one of the best afternoons I have had here in Cape Town.   

Pottery at Guga S'Thebe Centre in Langa

Yet for all the beauty that I have encountered while in Cape Town, there are some unattractive aspects to Cape Towns as well. Take touring the Townships the other day was definitely a complete 180. Yes, there is a crisis with the housing with so many people living in very unhealthy living conditions, but just seeing them for one day, I could tell that the people living in the townships are some of the strongest people in the world. That strength clearly resonated in the church service that we attended in Guguletheu, with all the people dancing and singing through the church and people really engaging in the service. Not only that, but these people even push on to make their lives better by creating beautiful pieces of art too. Even though their lives are not easy, they keep going even against really horrible conditions and that is so impressive in my book.

And this is only the surface of Cape Town and what it really has to offer. I am excited that l will be able to explore the many different sides of Cape Town, especially with my internship at the Trafelsig Clinic. I think what I am most appreciative of is that I am not the only one doing it, that everyone in the house is going to be going through a similar journey to mine and that we can talk about what we have experienced. Even though there are going to be aspects of this life that I will be struggling with while living here in Cape Town, I find myself more connected to people than I have ever felt before. So come on Cape Town, let’s see what you got.      

Bernie is excited to begin her internship and classes

Bernie enjoying the beautiful country

It’s been 10 days since we all got here to Cape Town. During those 10 days, orientation has been constant and it’s been great. We have 2 weeks of orientation and there is only 5 days left, and then we become real Capetonians. Orientation has been a blast; we went from seeing the Cape of Good Hope to seeing some of the townships in the Cape Flats. The orientation set up has been really good only because we go from being tourists and seeing everything that Cape Town broadcasts then to seeing the townships where people who are natives here have never seen the tourists areas. The tourist’s areas are beautiful of course because what could not be beautiful in this country.

That transition from tourist areas to the areas in poverty is shocking. It really made me open my eyes as to what people had to deal with here in Cape Town and none of it was their fault. These people were forced out of their homes and into areas where there isn’t even sustainable bathrooms. Even being in the townships and seeing the people is crazy because they are all still so happy and working hard to try to help their situation but they always have a smile on their face when doing it.

I am excited that orientation is coming to an end. Orientation was fun but I am excited when we get to do things on our own and feel as if we really do live here. I am excited to start classes Thursday and to start our internships on Monday! I am really excited to work at Sarah Fox Children’s Hospital. These past 10 days have been emotional in a good way and I am grateful to Vernon and Marita for setting up the orientation because I would have never done any of these things without these 2 weeks.

Bernie's music lesson at Guga S'Thebe Cultural Centre in Langa

Ashlyn reflects on her first week in Cape Town

“End of Week One”

Today the group went to Sivuyile National Baptist Church in Gugulethu. Having been raised Baptist it was really interesting to see the differences in the two ceremonies. Similar to my church back at home, everyone in attendance was very lively and into the ceremony. People were in various uniform outfits but I couldn’t figure out what the outfits stood for. Although I couldn’t understand the ceremony I was able to understand how much love and dedication the residents have towards their religion. Most of the people were very dressed up and the service was lengthy so it was clear that people put time into their religion. Part of me wished I could have understood the ceremony and another part of me is glad I couldn’t. Instead of focusing on the words I was able to watch people’s emotions.

           

Kirstenbosch Gardens Summer Concert Series

Tonight the group went to a Jimmy Nevis Concert at Kirstenbosch Gardens. I’m not sure what I expected of the concert but I was pleasantly surprised when the concert started. The music was really hip and it reminded of The Script mixed with Jesse McCartney. A lot of people at the venue stayed after the concert and enjoyed each other’s company. The grounds were breathtaking and I can’t wait to explore them more throughout my stay.  Back at home my favorite view is one from a hill I used to run during high school cross country meets. The first couple of times visiting the park I used to try to take a picture of the beauty before me. By the 3^rd or 4^th time I realized no matter how hard I tried I would never be able to take a picture that captured the beauty of the park. That’s how I feel about the Kirstenbosch National Gardens; that a picture could never do the area justice.

Having fun at Jimmy Nevis Concert. In front: Ben & Jillian
Back row: Taylors P & L, Becca, Caitlin, Julia & Ashlyn

One of my favorite experiences here so far has been seeing the penguins at Boulder’s Beach. We went exactly one week ago and it was amazing. All of the facts I learned when I was in 3^rd grade came back to me. I loved getting to be so close to such a cute part of nature!

Taylor L. seeing the contrasts within Cape Town that many visitors miss

Taylor's first day in Cape Town

Just over a week ago we traveled 7,785 miles to Cape Town. For the past week we have been introduced to a variety of different foods, events, and places that Cape Town offers. It has been tiring, but we all know that we will be prepared to live in this beautiful country for the remaining three and a half months.

While I have enjoyed everything we have done so far, I really enjoyed seeing the townships. I believe so many people come and visit this wonderful city but they only visit the touristy places. By doing this, one leaves out a huge part of South African history and culture.  We spent the day before the townships wandering the waterfront shops and restaurants. I liked that orientation was set up this way, because it allowed me to reflect on the differences between the different areas of Cape Town. It was heartbreaking to see just how relaxing and clean the waterfront section of Cape Town is and then compare it to the living conditions that so many Capetonians live in. While we were told that 800,000 people lived in Khayelitsha, I did not realize how big of a town that is until we climbed to a lookout. There were just informal houses after informal houses. It was not only saddening to see just how many people live in these informal houses, but also really rewarding to have the chance to visit the different townships. I appreciated doing so because it gave a chance to see the type places that the students I will be working with come from. 

One view from Look Out Hill in Khayelitsha

While we were in the townships, we visited two of the internship locations. It was really remarkable to hear about what some of my peers will be working with, and it made me excited to visit and begin work at mine. 

Molly experiencing confusion about how she's feelng

After landing in the whole new world called Cape Town I had no idea what to expect but also came with preconceiving notions of what I would see and experience. I was wrong. For the first few days with the exception of being sick for one of them, the group traveled around and saw the sights and went to museums and other touristy activities, which was expected. However, for me that all changed today, Friday the 23^rd when we spent the day travelling through the townships of Cape Town that span miles and miles and consist of millions, yes I said millions of people. Hearing that number is inconceivable and I had no idea that the struggles that people living in the townships face are dealt with by that number of people. I had seen pictures of these areas but it is hard to have true feelings when you look at a picture versus seeing it and seeing these families first hand. I am so confused by the way I am feeling after this that I cannot even put it into words. How can these people literally living in scraps of metal put together in a 4 by 4 foot home have a smile on their face? They wave to us in our passing bus full of American students who attend an expensive university wearing clothes and accessories that would probably buy them food for a month. I feel so selfish and feel so guilty. Why should I enjoy these things and why should I be able to get an amazing education while living at a beautiful and safe school where I go home every night to a heated/cooled dorm room with my friends and sleep on a tempur-pedic mattress pad because the bed wasn’t good enough for me when these people sleep on mats or maybe even the sand. How can they wave to me and be happy to see me? It’s hard for me to swallow. Coming to Cape Town I knew that there were people living like this but driving around today showed me how large of a population is actually living like this, literally millions of people.

Visiting the community center in Manenberg I loved to see the man, Keith Dumas, who had gone back to help a community that he was lucky enough to leave and get an education in the states, yet he went back and chose to spend his time helping people in the situation he was once also in. While touring the facility we came across a dance studio and I thought wow what a great way to get kids into new activities and keep them off the streets. Yet then the man tells me that they are unable to use the facility because of the gangs surrounding this area. This really saddened me and it made me consider my activist project. Having been a dancer for 12 years of my life, I loved going to dance with my friends and making such beautiful art with ones own body and talent. I am thinking maybe I could do something to teach or help lead a group of children that may want to take up dance to get them off of the streets and to give them a passion of their own. This is an initial thought but I was just really saddened that they had this facility and could not even use it. I just hope that while I am here I can help in any way and I am hopeful for the future of those smiling faces.

Sam is in AWE of this place

Sam exploring on Signal Hill

so far i have literally just been in AWE of this place. it still hasn't wrapped around my head that this is my home for the next few months. i look around at the beauty and i'm just like "wow" and can't believe this is my home. i haven't even been here a week and i already understand why people are in love with this place.

the plane ride was LONG but i can already tell it is so worth it!! i am literally speechless and i don't know how to describe how impressed i already am with this lovely place. i am in the pool house and am so excited! the house is so cute and i'm so excited about living with everyone and getting to know everyone. 

we walked around rondebosch today and got to know the area a little bit. i am excited that we will be doing a lot of walking! cocoa wawa seems like an awesome place to hang out and maybe get some work done.

bernie and i did get stuck today though, in the grocery store a man brought us a basket to put our stuff in and naturally we were like aw thank you but then he asked for 3 rand… whoops haha. 

it still doesn't feel real, it literally feels like a dream. i am so excited to take in the rest of the beauty and get to know the area more.  

visiting the townships..

Wow. Today we visited a few townships and it was just unreal. Hearing about this poverty and lifestyle means nothing Until you see it. I imagined what it would have been like but then it was just indescribable to see. It makes me very excited to start working with kids from these areas but it also will break my heart. 

It blew my mind to see how everyone was so happy, and welcoming, when we as white people are the ones who took everything from them. It makes me feel guilty that I am so fortunate, and for what reason? these people deserve so much more than what they have. It makes me wish I could help them all, but knowing I can’t is frustrating, but I want to make a difference in atleast some of these people’s lives. It also makes me sad to see because some of these kids just look so happy and carefree, but soon what life will they lead? are they gonna get drawn into gangs, get shot on their way to school? It’s just sad to me that there aren’t options and opportunities for them. 

It makes me feel so incredibly lucky for all that I have, but also so incredibly frustrated because these people deserve it too.

today i'm in sick with the stomach virus that everyone has had… fun! but i could use the rest.