Anyway, just to update you all on the things that have happened so far, as of right now I'm in Cape Town and starting a new chapter on my expedition. Cape Town is the city in South Africa that is shown to all the tourists and dreamers who wish to travel. I can't contest this completely as it is an absolutely beautiful place with some of the most gorgeous scenery that a person will ever see. I can't believe that I have the opportunity to experience a place with this much incredible ambiance and some people never get to leave their hometown. On the flip side however, this is only my 2nd day in Cape Town and already 3 homeless people, including 2 street children have come up to me begging for money or food. Tomorrow we're going to be visiting the miles and miles of shack settlements (just like Kennedy Road which I talked about in a previous entry) that the government hides from all of the traveling foreigners. Somehow I don't think it will be that much of an eye opening experience considering that I've seen hundreds of those all over South Africa already-a sad fact but unfortunately true.
I also just finished a home stay with a bi-racial family whom I could relate to being bi-racial myself. Although I was only there for 3 days I was able to make a strong connection with everyone I met. The hardships they've experienced is beyond belief and I never thought I'd meet anybody who has been through something quite like what they went through. My home stay mother's daughter was murdered less than a month ago by her boyfriend and the boyfriend hung himself in jail as he was stricken with guilt for his crimes. The murdered daughter and the boyfriend left behind a 4 year old daughter who my home stay mother is now raising as her own. She is also housing her 14 year old niece whose parents are both severe alcoholics. I had an amazing older host brother named Gregory who I swear has to be one of the most gentle, compassionate, caring men I have ever met, and I feel for him so much at the loss of his sister in such a tragic way.
On a more positive note yesterday we toured the prison on a place called Robben Island where Nelson Mandella was held and we got to see the cell he was kept in as well. To give you an idea on the size of his cell, think of the size of your closet and cut it in half. But the island is now a place of great scenic imagery which is a big change from the desolation that the people living there once experienced during the time of the prisons. The prison Nelson Mandella was in is no longer a prison and is now a site for tourists who want to learn about the struggles of freedom fighters in South Africa during the apartheid era, and the other prisons on the island are being used for schools and community meeting places for the 350 people now inhabiting the island. Change really is possible! The people on the island are thriving and as I was there I couldn't help but think that I wanted to stay. There were penguins on the island and I got to stand right next to them and take pictures! I'll upload when I get the chance.
Lastly, to let you guys know that I'm also doing fun things and not serious things, I went to South Africa's woodstock (kinda) called Splashy Fen!! It was awesome, especially for a music freak like me :) I met some really cool hippie people and even got to hang out with some of the bands! Don't worry it was no one really famous or anything, just some people who want to spread some great music. I've also decided what I'm going to do for my month long ISP; I'm going to be working with the Phoenix Restorative Justice Program-the same organization I met when I talked about the prison in an earlier entry. I'm going to be working with an art therapy program that is being done with some of the prisoners at a maximum security prison called Empangeni. I'm going to get a chance to interview prisoners on their experiences with violence prior to their incarceration and see how those experiences have affected them, and then I'm going to see how the art therapy program is helping them to express themselves thereby, also helping them to heal. I'm excited, but nervous at the same time.
I'll talk to you all again soon I promise!
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