Thursday, June 4, 2009
Introduction
This is the beginning of my blog about my trip to South Africa. Africa is not a place I have ever really visited or ever expected to spend any significant amount of time. When the opportunity presented itself I gladly accepted the invitation. While over there, I saw things and did things that I never imagined I would, and also learned about a culture I never knew that much about. This blog will specifically focus on aspects of the trip and tour that were uniquely “South African” in nature and would not be seen in many other places.
Day 1 (Travel)
Today we flew South African Airways from Dulles to Johannesburg. The 18 hour flight was not fun, but I know the trip will be worth it! Although we were on the national carrier, I did not experience too much South African culture. After all, an airplane is an airplane.
Day 2 (Johannesburg)
We arrived in Johannesburg International Airport today at 5:30pm. Not much of a second day either. After getting our baggage and traveling to the game reserve where we will be staying, it was around 8pm. After having a dinner buffet and spending some time with friends, I went off to get an early night’s sleep. After all we have our Safari tomorrow!
Day 3 (Krugersdorp Game Reserve and St. Stithians)
This morning, I went on a safari of the Krugersdorp Game reserve, the same place where we are staying. It was amazing, and although it was only a three hour tour, we saw all sorts of amazing animals. On top of seeing many different breeds of antelope and game animals; we saw lions, rhinoceros, zebras, and giraffe. When we came back, we saw ostrich wandering through our camp, what an experience!
Lunch today was my first real South African cultural experience. After the safari, Johan, our tour guide called our group over to compete in an Africa contest. There was a line and we were supposed to launch an object as far as we could from the other side. What we didn’t know was that the object we had to launch was antelope poop, and the way we had to launch it is with my mouth. I wasn’t bad, placed around the middle of the pack, but this game definitely got me out of my shell. This is not something I would have done anywhere or could have imagined doing outside of South African culture.
Lunch was also another South African cultural experience. We had what was called a “Braai lunch” which consisted of many different kinds of meat, including; lamb, chicken, and sausage. I was a fan of the local foods. The meat was much better seasoned then it is in America and I enjoyed the meal very much. Dessert consisted of a type of pudding doused in custard. It was excellent and has become my new favorite dessert.
That evening, we went a performed a concert at St. Stithians with the “Wits”, “Dukes” and St. Stithians Boy’s choir. While most of the repertoire was American in nature such as “Mr. Bojangles” and “Bohemian Rhapsody,” we ended the program by singing an African song with all the choirs as well as another group our guide brought in to watch. It was the first time I had ever sung an African song, this was something very new for me.
Afterwards, we had a reception with the students and parents and had the opportunity to converse with them. I was interesting to learn about some of the organizational and legal differences between the United States and South Africa but I realized that we have a lot in common with them at the same time. That was a very interesting exchange.
Lunch today was my first real South African cultural experience. After the safari, Johan, our tour guide called our group over to compete in an Africa contest. There was a line and we were supposed to launch an object as far as we could from the other side. What we didn’t know was that the object we had to launch was antelope poop, and the way we had to launch it is with my mouth. I wasn’t bad, placed around the middle of the pack, but this game definitely got me out of my shell. This is not something I would have done anywhere or could have imagined doing outside of South African culture.
Lunch was also another South African cultural experience. We had what was called a “Braai lunch” which consisted of many different kinds of meat, including; lamb, chicken, and sausage. I was a fan of the local foods. The meat was much better seasoned then it is in America and I enjoyed the meal very much. Dessert consisted of a type of pudding doused in custard. It was excellent and has become my new favorite dessert.
That evening, we went a performed a concert at St. Stithians with the “Wits”, “Dukes” and St. Stithians Boy’s choir. While most of the repertoire was American in nature such as “Mr. Bojangles” and “Bohemian Rhapsody,” we ended the program by singing an African song with all the choirs as well as another group our guide brought in to watch. It was the first time I had ever sung an African song, this was something very new for me.
Afterwards, we had a reception with the students and parents and had the opportunity to converse with them. I was interesting to learn about some of the organizational and legal differences between the United States and South Africa but I realized that we have a lot in common with them at the same time. That was a very interesting exchange.
Day 4 (Soweto and Johannesburg)
Today we had an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of some of South Africa’s most important freedom fighters and relive some of the most important events of Apartheid.
Our trip started with a tour of Soweto. On the tour, we saw many of the shantytowns where many people still live. This served as a stark reminder of the poverty that exists in South Africa but not in the United States. Along the way we stopped at the Regina Mundi Catholic Church, the only religious building in the area that remained open during most of the uprisings. It was interesting to be in the place where many of the freedom fighters met to plan protests, as well as see the violence, in the form of bullet holes and the cracked alter table, that the government used to oppress the protestors. This was indeed a dark time in South African history.
Soon we had arrived in our destination; the Orlando section of Soweto where Nelson Mandela’s house is located. It was very interesting to see the quarters where he spent many years of his life. It gave an interesting perspective into the life of the great man.
For lunch we went to Winnie Mandela’s restaurant where we had bunny chows, another traditional South African meal. This was the food of the miners and while filling, was very cheap. It consisted of a quarter loaf of white bread, French fries, a hot dog, and a curry sauce that topped the whole thing. It reminded me of something I would have in America!
We continued our day by starting on the corner where John Hector Peterson was shot, and running all the way to where he was carried. It was an amazing experience running in the same footsteps of such a historic event. While at the museum, we talked with John Hector Peterson’s sister about the events, and it was very interesting to get her perspective on the day. This was a very powerful cultural exchange for me.
We ended our day by singing in a workshop with the University of Johannesburg choir. While there we learned three African songs, including one where we had to click! This was a new experience for me and something I had some difficulty adjusting to. Overall though, I found it a great workshop and enjoyed learning about the music that is important to this culture.
Our trip started with a tour of Soweto. On the tour, we saw many of the shantytowns where many people still live. This served as a stark reminder of the poverty that exists in South Africa but not in the United States. Along the way we stopped at the Regina Mundi Catholic Church, the only religious building in the area that remained open during most of the uprisings. It was interesting to be in the place where many of the freedom fighters met to plan protests, as well as see the violence, in the form of bullet holes and the cracked alter table, that the government used to oppress the protestors. This was indeed a dark time in South African history.
Soon we had arrived in our destination; the Orlando section of Soweto where Nelson Mandela’s house is located. It was very interesting to see the quarters where he spent many years of his life. It gave an interesting perspective into the life of the great man.
For lunch we went to Winnie Mandela’s restaurant where we had bunny chows, another traditional South African meal. This was the food of the miners and while filling, was very cheap. It consisted of a quarter loaf of white bread, French fries, a hot dog, and a curry sauce that topped the whole thing. It reminded me of something I would have in America!
We continued our day by starting on the corner where John Hector Peterson was shot, and running all the way to where he was carried. It was an amazing experience running in the same footsteps of such a historic event. While at the museum, we talked with John Hector Peterson’s sister about the events, and it was very interesting to get her perspective on the day. This was a very powerful cultural exchange for me.
We ended our day by singing in a workshop with the University of Johannesburg choir. While there we learned three African songs, including one where we had to click! This was a new experience for me and something I had some difficulty adjusting to. Overall though, I found it a great workshop and enjoyed learning about the music that is important to this culture.
Day 5 (Bokamoso Youth Centre)
Today we broke from our itinerary and spent our entire day at the Bokamoso youth centre. What started as a simple workshop ended up being one of the more important cultural exchanges of the trip.
We started in the morning by singing with the older students; doing some ice breakers, performing a few pieces for them and then watching them sing and dance for us. This was a cool exchange and a great way to learn about the music that Africans outside of the cities are performing. We had a chance to sing and dance with them as well, a task that was very enjoyable.
While at lunch, we encountered some of the younger students at the centre and our heart bled for the poor conditions these children were situated in. A few members of our group left us there while they went to purchase supplies for the children. During the extra down time I was there, I got to play sports with some kids around the age of 10 as well as play with the 3-4 year old students whose conditions we wanted to improve. The children were all very nice and cute and enjoyed our company.
When the supplies finally arrived, the look on their faces is something I will remember for the rest of my life. The eyes of these children lit up as they received new supplies, something they may have never seen before, or definitely never thought was possible. It made me realize how little they have and how appreciative they are of whatever little things they do receive.
We started in the morning by singing with the older students; doing some ice breakers, performing a few pieces for them and then watching them sing and dance for us. This was a cool exchange and a great way to learn about the music that Africans outside of the cities are performing. We had a chance to sing and dance with them as well, a task that was very enjoyable.
While at lunch, we encountered some of the younger students at the centre and our heart bled for the poor conditions these children were situated in. A few members of our group left us there while they went to purchase supplies for the children. During the extra down time I was there, I got to play sports with some kids around the age of 10 as well as play with the 3-4 year old students whose conditions we wanted to improve. The children were all very nice and cute and enjoyed our company.
When the supplies finally arrived, the look on their faces is something I will remember for the rest of my life. The eyes of these children lit up as they received new supplies, something they may have never seen before, or definitely never thought was possible. It made me realize how little they have and how appreciative they are of whatever little things they do receive.
Day 6 (University of Cape Town)
Today we spent the first half of our day in transit from Johannesburg to Cape Town. We spent our evening at the beautiful University of Cape Town and performed with their choir. This was another great exchange. Before the concert, we spent an hour learning two African songs which we performed at the end of the concert. We had to click again, but I learned that even some natives have difficulties with it while singing! This made me feel a little better about myself. Their concert repertoire was all Western music but ranged from serious pieces such as The Blue Bird, to light, fun pieces such as Short People.
Dinner after the concert with the choir was enjoyable. I struck up a very interesting conversation with one of the students about a range of issues facing South Africa from the poverty issue to the cost of education and its availability. He was very insightful and I hope to stay in contact with him into the future.
Dinner after the concert with the choir was enjoyable. I struck up a very interesting conversation with one of the students about a range of issues facing South Africa from the poverty issue to the cost of education and its availability. He was very insightful and I hope to stay in contact with him into the future.
Day 7 (Penguin Colony and Immaculate Conception Church)
Today we started our day by visiting a penguin colony. They were adorable and it was very cool to see them in action.
We spent the evening where we performed a concert at the Immaculate Conception Church in conjunction with a children’s choir. The audience enjoyed the concert very much, and it was interesting to hear a choir of young African children.
We spent the evening where we performed a concert at the Immaculate Conception Church in conjunction with a children’s choir. The audience enjoyed the concert very much, and it was interesting to hear a choir of young African children.
Day 8 (Cape Peninsula and Niall Mellon Foundation)
We started our day by visiting the absolutely gorgeous Cape Peninsula and the Cape of Good Hope. This has got to be some of the most beautiful scenery in Africa.
I spent the afternoon in an impoverished section in South Africa, volunteering and spreading good will. The first stop was at a local school where the school choir performed for us. While all the songs were very nice, they sung one song about HIV that really stood out to me. While this content would be considered appalling for children at the 3-5 grade level to sing about in the United States, in a country such as South Africa where the HIV rate is over 40% it is common place. That really stood out to me.
After that, I moved on to a township where they were taking people out of shacks and putting them into real houses. After spending the afternoon helping out with construction, I was able to see one of the houses handed over. This was a very moving ceremony and made me realize that these simple things give these people hope and aspire to get more. I am proud to have been a part of helping move South Africa forward.
I spent the afternoon in an impoverished section in South Africa, volunteering and spreading good will. The first stop was at a local school where the school choir performed for us. While all the songs were very nice, they sung one song about HIV that really stood out to me. While this content would be considered appalling for children at the 3-5 grade level to sing about in the United States, in a country such as South Africa where the HIV rate is over 40% it is common place. That really stood out to me.
After that, I moved on to a township where they were taking people out of shacks and putting them into real houses. After spending the afternoon helping out with construction, I was able to see one of the houses handed over. This was a very moving ceremony and made me realize that these simple things give these people hope and aspire to get more. I am proud to have been a part of helping move South Africa forward.
Day 9 (Table Mountain and Robben Island)
After several days of praying (and Johan telling us it does not exist) we finally had the opportunity to take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain.
The afternoon trip to Robben Island was the last but certainly not least trip I took in South Africa. Once a former leper colony and eventually a camp for political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, I enjoyed visiting the site that had played one of the most important roles in South African history. It opened up my eyes to new insights and realizations about African culture that I had never known before. Seeing the cells and conditions that these men were in also gave me a new appreciation for the sacrifices these dissidents made for their freedom.
The afternoon trip to Robben Island was the last but certainly not least trip I took in South Africa. Once a former leper colony and eventually a camp for political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, I enjoyed visiting the site that had played one of the most important roles in South African history. It opened up my eyes to new insights and realizations about African culture that I had never known before. Seeing the cells and conditions that these men were in also gave me a new appreciation for the sacrifices these dissidents made for their freedom.
Day 10 (Travel)
My trip in South Africa has come to an end, but I will not forget any of the cultural exchanges I participated in while in South Africa. From taking in the local flavor at the Braai, to playing traditional games, to walking in the footsteps of African freedom fighters, and playing and conversing with the real African people, I have left Africa fully immersed in their culture, and the better for it.
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