Thursday October 9th- Let the Journey Begin!

We have arrived in Cape Town after a long journey. We boarded our first plane in New York at 10:30am on Wednesday and arrived in Johannesburg at 8:30 am on Thursday morning. The flight was about 15 hours long! The next flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town was about 2.5 hours! Both Rebecca and Shela had never flown before but they had nearly an entire day to decide whether or not they liked flying! It’s looking like they are going to be world travelers for life as they were all smiles from takeoff to landing.

The plane had enough entertainment for an entire week! From TV shows to movies to music each of us had a personal TV for our own entertainment. We were served 3 meals on the flight and not to our surprise; Mr. Ives was thrilled with each of them (he has sort of a thing for airplane food (it’s strange, we know)).

When we arrived in Cape Town our transportation was waiting for us with a sign that read“Hartford Public Delegation.” This is when we knew- it’s really happening! After nearly a year of planning, fundraising, and preparing we had finally arrived safely. For the first time I felt the bubbling of excitement in my stomach. The stress was gone, the nerves subsided, and I am now ready to fully enjoy watching these beautiful students embark on an adventure of a lifetime.

The deep connections and thoughts started almost immediately. As we merged onto the highway and looked at our surroundings for the first time I could feel the questions build in the hearts and minds of the students. With shantytowns to our right and high rises to our left, Mr. Ives and I knew that this is the type of moment that transforms young people. The shantytowns are essentially makeshift houses stacked directly next to one another. These houses are constructed uses thin wood, cardboard, and other provisional materials. The roofs are made of corrugated tin. From afar it seems uninhabitable – How could people live in such a place? But as the curves in the highway directed us closer, you could see the clothes drying on clothing lines and young children walking. Miss, do they go to school? Do they really live like this? How is this allowed? The questions that had built up started to flow and for Mr. Ives and I, it was a beautiful moment.  Our students were questioning inequality, education, and public health within the first 15 minutes of being in the country. Aiti, a refugee herself said, “I look at my family and we are refugees and we don’t even live in those conditions. Even in Nepal, things were not like that.” Although we will spend the next week (or lifetime, for that matter) answering these questions we are so happy to see the passion and deep commitment our students have.

Their heavy, questioning hearts were ironically brightened as we pulled up to the hotel. The Southern Sun Cape Sun Hotel is a beautiful old hotel situated near the city center. Mr. Ives cleverly asked the receptionist for rooms with a view and boy, did we get them!

We were tired, a bit cranky, and certainly in need of a shower. So, we took about 3 hours to rest and recuperate before our first night out in the city. As I left my room to go find the girls I didn’t even have to make a guess as to what room they were congregated in. The laughter radiated into the hallway and before knocking on the door, I took a minute to think about all the people who made this possible. I thought about all the hard work and long nights Mr. Ives and I spent questioning whether or not this trip was possible. And as the giggles continued to flow, I choked back a tear and knocked.

We took the hotel shuttle to the waterfront where they have a beautiful area for shopping and dining. We selected a restaurant called Balduccis. They offered a little bit of everything and were exceptionally accommodating to our large family. As the students poured over the menu, Mr. Ives and I knew that they were not ready just yet to take the leap and try new food. We made a deal that for tonight, the girls could order whatever they wanted, but as the week progresses they must start trying new flavors! Mr. Ives and I did, of course, try something new. Mr. Ives at Gnocchi and game and I had fresh grilled calamari spiced with garlic and chili.

As we headed home the girls’ heads were nodding off as the shuttle bumped through the ever-bustling city. As we said goodnight and Mr. Ives and I walked down the hall we looked at one another with knowing grins: We did it, we are here, and the adventure is just beginning!