This weekend has been so jam-packed and I want to do all of it justice but I'm going to try to just retell it in snip-its. Also, note: the past two weeks have probably been the most vacation-y that the whole trip will be.I will be coming back down to earth on Friday because that's when we're going to Namibia.
1. We got REALLY spoiled in Durban and ate a whole lot and were waited on hand and foot. It was nice.
2. On Monday or so we decided it would be fun to try to see U2 in Cape Town. We just assumed we would be able to get tickets... I don't know why.
3. We actually have a really wonderful tour guide who was with us through Durban. His name is Peter and he's one of those people who seems to know everything and can make anything happen. He got us tickets to see Bono two days before the concert. He also managed to get half of our group on the flight that they had been knocked off of because it had been overbooked by 50%. Which leads me to my next thought:
4. I flew on an African airline called Mango and survived.
5. I think U2 concerts should count for CLP credit because Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, and Zackie Achmat were all featured in some way.
6. The southern most point of Africa was really windy and covered in fog so I really didn't see all that much. It was still beautiful, though!
7. I had decided that Durban was my favorite city, but that was before I got to Cape Town. It's out of this world beautiful. I'm wondering if they would want to start an RUF at University of Cape Town because I'd move here in a heart beat.
8. Penguins are the most adorable, fascinating creatures. Andrea, I think I'm tagging you as the penguins when I post them on facebook. It's either because of the way they walk or the way they crane their necks around when they look at each other. Apparently, they mate for life, which I think is obvious because of the hundreds we saw on the beach, most of them were standing in couples holding fins. So precious. Now I'm kind of embarrassed that I took up this much space talking about them.
9. Bishop Peter Storey!
10. Wine country of Cape Town-- also beautiful. We biked 20k and then went to three wineries. I am so thankful right now that they wouldn't let us bike after wine tasting. Just so you know, I chose that over diving with great white sharks. How thankful are you right now, Mom?
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Hello from Durban!!
Hey friends!
I've just arrived in Durban after spending the weekend at Giant's Castle in the Drakensburg Mountains. I wish I could describe how incredibly beautiful it was. Out of this world. We spent Sunday hiking which turned out to be extremely eventful. One group crossed into Lesotho, another was accosted by baboons (which are not nice animals), and our group got lost, sick, and stuck in the rain. But it was AWESOME!
Last week, we were in Kimberley, touring the De Beers Diamond Mine and the Kimberley research library. I don't want to reveal my history nerdiness too much, but I LOVED this place. They had "the first history of the world" published in Nuremburg in 1467 and the first Bible printed in an African language, as well as lots of old maps.
Before that, we finished our stay in Joburg by visiting Central Methodist Church in the heart of the city. This visit has been the most heartbreaking experience of the trip. The church houses 1400 refugees EVERY night. The building smells of poverty and many of the refugees are trapped here since they can't find jobs but can't return to Zimbabwe. We started by talking to Bishop Verryn, who I really loved because he's the first person here who seems to understand the hope that is found in the Gospel. I really appreciated hearing the many things he tries to do to serve here, but the whole talk was also disheartening because it seems the church is often unable to accomplish anything. He led us to the sanctuary for our service project, which we expected to be something like cleaning, or building something, or playing with kids, but instead we were told we were going to lead a workshop for young mothers who can't find work and who are very alone. We all felt utterly hopeless trying to converse with these women when we knew we were totally unable to change anything about their situation. They looked to us as a large group of white Americans who could somehow fix things for them, which was probably the most humbling part. That's been the most unexpected part of this trip; everyone we come across expect us to behave in a particular way since we're white and American, when in actuality, we know nothing about their situation, nor do we have any power to change anything. Needless to say, I'm learning a lot and processing a lot. I miss you all very much!
Laura
I've just arrived in Durban after spending the weekend at Giant's Castle in the Drakensburg Mountains. I wish I could describe how incredibly beautiful it was. Out of this world. We spent Sunday hiking which turned out to be extremely eventful. One group crossed into Lesotho, another was accosted by baboons (which are not nice animals), and our group got lost, sick, and stuck in the rain. But it was AWESOME!
Last week, we were in Kimberley, touring the De Beers Diamond Mine and the Kimberley research library. I don't want to reveal my history nerdiness too much, but I LOVED this place. They had "the first history of the world" published in Nuremburg in 1467 and the first Bible printed in an African language, as well as lots of old maps.
Before that, we finished our stay in Joburg by visiting Central Methodist Church in the heart of the city. This visit has been the most heartbreaking experience of the trip. The church houses 1400 refugees EVERY night. The building smells of poverty and many of the refugees are trapped here since they can't find jobs but can't return to Zimbabwe. We started by talking to Bishop Verryn, who I really loved because he's the first person here who seems to understand the hope that is found in the Gospel. I really appreciated hearing the many things he tries to do to serve here, but the whole talk was also disheartening because it seems the church is often unable to accomplish anything. He led us to the sanctuary for our service project, which we expected to be something like cleaning, or building something, or playing with kids, but instead we were told we were going to lead a workshop for young mothers who can't find work and who are very alone. We all felt utterly hopeless trying to converse with these women when we knew we were totally unable to change anything about their situation. They looked to us as a large group of white Americans who could somehow fix things for them, which was probably the most humbling part. That's been the most unexpected part of this trip; everyone we come across expect us to behave in a particular way since we're white and American, when in actuality, we know nothing about their situation, nor do we have any power to change anything. Needless to say, I'm learning a lot and processing a lot. I miss you all very much!
Laura
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Soweto!
Hi friends!
Internet access has proved more difficult to come by than expected, but I've found an internet cafe at a mall. I'm currently on a homestay in Soweto, and my homestay sister Mbali is sitting with me. She's shown me all over Jo-burg and her township of Soweto. I also have a homestay brother named Nathi and when you pronounce it, it sounds like "Naughty" which is so appropriate. On Thursday we took a bike tour around Soweto which was awesome because the township has rich history and culture. Unfortunately, I am very sunburned (Sorry Mom. I haven't gotten sick though!).
Love you guys and miss you! Thank you so much for the notes stuck in all parts of my suitcase. You are too good to me Hannah Keuhnert. Keep sleeping in my bed.
Laura
Internet access has proved more difficult to come by than expected, but I've found an internet cafe at a mall. I'm currently on a homestay in Soweto, and my homestay sister Mbali is sitting with me. She's shown me all over Jo-burg and her township of Soweto. I also have a homestay brother named Nathi and when you pronounce it, it sounds like "Naughty" which is so appropriate. On Thursday we took a bike tour around Soweto which was awesome because the township has rich history and culture. Unfortunately, I am very sunburned (Sorry Mom. I haven't gotten sick though!).
Love you guys and miss you! Thank you so much for the notes stuck in all parts of my suitcase. You are too good to me Hannah Keuhnert. Keep sleeping in my bed.
Laura
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