Saturday October 11th: Mountaintops and a Braai

Today our little family grew exponentially as it was our first day with the Quinnipiac Delegation. There are now about 32 of us total and things are really starting to get exciting.

Our morning started out with the famous breakfast! Today they were even offering waffles! We sat with some of the Quinnipiac Professors and the girls were quick to show off their pride as they were questioned about who they were/how they were selected for this trip.

In what seemed to be a whirlwind we were already piled into the enormous bus that would take us from place to place all day long. Our first stop was the District 6 Museum. In short, District 6 was a vibrant inner-city neighborhood that was tragically destroyed by the Apartheid regime in the 1970’s. The museum gave us a view into just how wide the roots of Apartheid spread and just how deeply families were impacted by its destruction. For example, we walked into a ‘room’ that was about 6x12 feet. The room had 2 single beds, 1 dresser, 1 small table, and a place for kitchen utensils. This ‘room’ was actually a house for an entire family made up of 2 parents and three children.

Immediately following the museum we headed to the Township of Langa. The Township ended up being the one I mentioned in Thursday’s post- the one with makeshift homes stacked nearly on top of one another. As the bus toured the town, heaviness drifted through the bus. Everyone was reflecting on the poverty before our eyes. I can still, and always will, remember my first encounter with abject poverty. It is a memory I carry with me and allow to help shape my worldview and keep things in perspective. This particular moment in Langa will undoubtedly rest on the shoulders of our students, guiding them in the years to come as they continue to work for peace and justice in our world.

Our hearts were lightened as we stopped off the Guga S’Thebe Arts and Culture Center. Students were introduced to a pottery program, which serves to build life skills and empower youth. Students become apprentices in the workshop and gradually earn more responsibility as they hone their craft. Eventually, students are not only able to create gorgeous pottery, but they are able to transfer these skills to help build themselves as professionals in their communities. The group also ha a drumming session and it was AWESOME. A room filled with life is truly the best description. The artists’ hands beating fiercely on the drum at the front of the room, creating a loud beat while students sat in around him trying to follow suit.

From the arts center we went to the Slave Lodge Museum where we learned about the expansive slave trade in South Africa. From slave ships from the 17^th century to modern say sex slave exhibits, the museum offered an incredibly broad demonstration of the realities and consequences of the slave trade.

Our next stop was 3,558 feet above the ground at the top of Table Mountain. This is an historical landmark and one of the new 8 Wonders of the Natural World. We had big plans to hike to the top which would have taken about 2 hours, but due to timing and the fact that we hadn’t eaten since breakfast, we opted for the next best option: the cable car! Yes, there is really a cable car that packs in about 60 people and takes passengers all the way to the top of the mountain. The floor of the cable car even rotates so everyone gets a chance to see the view on the climb up! Once we reached the top, the cable car let us out to walk around and take in the scenery. Did I mention the restaurant on top of the 3-thousand-foot mountain? Well, a) it exists and b) yes, we actually at lunch on top of Table Mountain! The girls met some friends from northern South Africa. They took pictures together and spent quite some time chatting about the various similarities and differences among them!

You’d assume the story would stop here, but no, there was one more slice of excitement left: A braai. Braai is the Afrikaans word for barbeque, but when you say it you must roll the “r.” Go ahead, try it; I know you want to.

(See if you can find the cable car station at the bottom....)

This braai was hosted by the Chaeli Campaign, an international NGO that focuses on changing perceptions of people with disabilities around the world and create opportunities for people with disabilities to achieve common goals. You can check them out on Facebook at Chaeli & Krugii Conquer.

So about this braai; imagine a room filled with children representing over 20 countries. Imagine Palestinians conversing with Guatemalans and Cambodians laughing with Americans. Imagine Mr. Ives and I standing from afar watching as our students gallivant around the room making friend and sharing stories amongst this diverse crowd. We were served lamb, chicken, beef, potato salad and coleslaw. As we sat together as a cohesive global family, we all could feel the immense passion and love radiating throughout the room.

By the end of the night we had to (literally) pull the girls onto the bus. On the ride home we sat behind the girls and watched as they giggled and reminisced about the treasured unforgettable moments they had just created.