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.

Friday October 10th : The Perfect Kind of Day

Today was one of those perfect days; the kind where you feel happiness down to your bones. Today felt like childhood is supposed to feel- freedom, smiles, and laughter.

Last night Mr. Ives and I were trying to plan a fun day for the students as today was still a traveling day for the rest of the delegations. We weren’t certain about how we would spend our time, where we would eat, or what we would see. It always happens like this- things just come together, they feel right, and often bring so much happiness that they day ends with exhaustion from pure overjoy. Yes, today was just perfect.

We started our day having a delicious breakfast in the hotel. Cereal, fresh fruit, fresh omelets, bacon, croissants, cheese, meats, and any type of fresh juice you could imagine were among the many things offered. They even have an actual honeycomb that you can scrape to get fresh honey. Yes, really, we spooned fresh honey from a real honeycomb for breakfast. As we sat there enjoying delicious food we were serenaded by a live pianist. He played a mixture of modern tunes and we all hummed along and chatted.  At the end of breakfast the pianist came to the table and gave us a copy of his CD. Yes, this was all before 9am. (Have I mentioned today was a perfect day?)

After breakfast we headed to our rooms to get our things and decided to head to the beach. The hotel called us a taxi and we waited patiently in the beautiful chandelier-filled lobby. Once in the cab we quickly realized that we likely had the funniest, most entertaining driver. Not only was he a Cape Town native but his historically accurate blurbs and perpetually funny wit had us all laughing the entire way to the ocean.

We were dropped off in a parking lot just above Clifton Beach. As we descended the steep stairway towards the ocean, the girls were literally jolted from the beautiful scenery that appeared before us. The rocks surrounding the beach almost look like something from of Disney World. Clifton is small and quiet filled with children playing, people sunning, and of course, the peaceful sound of ocean waves crashing. Surrounded by mountains and the ocean, we stood with our toes in the warm sands of the southern tip of Africa. This, we all knew, would be a day matched only by the beauty of our surroundings.

After Aiti and Diana nearly jumped into the ocean in full clothing we played in the sand, looked for shells, and without a doubt, took many ‘selfies.’ The next beach was just a short walk away and the views on the pathway there were absolutely breathtaking.

Camps Bay is gorgeous- deep blue waters, giant waves, and a cove shaped beach completely surrounded by mountains. Camps Bay has a lot more bustle than Clifton- shops line the streets and the smell of endless restaurants lured us into the culture and beauty all around us. On our way into town, our tummies were growling. We stopped to ask a surfer where we could grab a great bite to eat. He recommended a place called KUAI. It’s a chain restaurant that serves only healthy food! We sat outside and looked over our menus as we watched a variety of people walk by. As we waited for our food, the sounds of the street drummers, passing cars, and sizzling food enveloped the air. The students remarked that they could ‘live here forever.’ We talked through lunch about what American culture is so different. Why, for example, are South Africans so genuinely friendly and full of life while Americans tend be rather unwelcoming and grumpy? Why do we choose to live in a place that doesn’t seem to value happiness? Students grappled with these questions throughout lunch.

After lunch we strolled along the brick walkway where there were locals selling intricate souvenirs. We all bought matching bracelets and the girls purchased some gifts for friends and family back home.

We closed out the day with a final walk on the beach. We made innumerable attempts at a cliché jumping photo- the best product is below. As we walked to our meeting point to catch the taxi, the happiness of our group was nearly tangible. Our now sun kissed faces glowing with bright smiles and our souls filled nearly to the brim with delight.

We came back to the hotel only to change our clothes and wait for Friday night traffic to subside before heading to dinner with some UCONN Nursing students. The students stay at a study-abroad house just outside of the city where they graciously invited us for dinner. As the 24 or so of us gathered in the living room we looked like a true family at a holiday get-together. The UCONN students shared stories of their travels and encouraged students to make future plans to study abroad in college. Conversation was flowing and Mr. Ives and I were especially proud of our students’ confidence in speaking openly with our new friends. We ate pizza and sundaes and all was right in the world. We are so very thankful that they welcomed us into their home and look forward to a continued friendship.

As the taxi rounded the highway curves on our ride home the city lights opened into our view like a stage curtain, gently exposing the beauty of the city beneath. As Rebecca said, ‘many cities are beautiful because they have mountains, or an ocean, or beautiful lights but Cape Town has all of that and more.’

I think I may have mentioned this before, but just incase you forgot; today was a perfect day.

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!