Ok, sorry I've been MIA and actually I don't have much time to write this post but, yes it is my vacation here in South Africa! Finally! It's been a great time here. I went through an emotional period, definitely overwhelmed with the group dynamic, not necessarily the people in the group but just being in a group, if that makes sense. Also we had this incredible time in Langa and when we moved to the Bo Kaap, a colored Muslim neighborhood in town, we all of a sudden has so much work to do that we never really got a chance to explore where we are or spend much time with our new host families. So that was frustrating but over now, thank goodness.
We did our case study on HIV and it was one of the most incredible experiences I've had on this trip. We just learned so much, got to see so much and met so many inspiring people. It's an issue that I'm so happy that I got to spend time learning about and taking information away. Also for our presentation we did a knock off Vagina Monologues and did an HIV monologues which was really emotional and went off really well.
Some of us went to Parliament and got a tour and a meeting with the DA (the official opposition party) with the leader of the DA and some shadow ministers (housing and labor?). Also we sat in on a debate in the national assembly and president Zuma was there. Pretty cool...
Ok just to quickly sum up, also we had our farewell dinner on Wednesday night and it was great. It was difficult to balance our Langa and Bo Kaap homestay families but it worked out ok. Also we had traditional African music and dancers and I got dragged up on stage and danced with them. There are pictures and videos to document it, it was pretty funny. I will definitely share, I'm sure they will be put up on facebook when we get back.
Ok my vacation starts TODAY! I actually need to go because our taxi is coming soon and I need to get back. I'm staying in Table View with 6 other girls. Should be fun and beautiful. Complete with a pool and a 20 min walk to the beach. Can't wait for some r and r! MIss you all so much!
xoxo
Lizzie
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
My Legs Are Sore
We climbed Table Mountain on Saturday, which is beautiful and incredible (and cold!) but my thighs are still recovering! This is a very quick post because I have about 5 min left on the internet and I need to finish writing in my learning journal so recap:
We got an amazing tour of Langa, the township we are staying in. We saw so much more of the people and businesses and just life in general. It was difficult though because we would be going into these small rooms where 16 different people lived and it would feel like we were being so incredibly invasive. We talked about that a lot as a group as well, the idea of poverty tourism and it giving poor people an income but at what cost? It's something that I've accepted that I won't have incredible pictures of what I've seen and experienced here and I apologize to all of you who I would love to share it with but it's about respect and respecting the lives of the people that we are so lucky to interact with and it's hard not to take a picture to remember and share but taking out a camera and taking a snapshot of the way a person lives can be taken in many different ways. I believe that it is the responsibility of a traveler to take back what they have learned/experienced and share that with as many people as he/she can so it's about a cultural exchange and a different way of spreading knowledge and information. Images are very powerful and are a great tool to use and it makes me a bit sad to think I won't have that to use or just to have to remember the people and places but again, I want to respect the place and community that I am in first and foremost. But the tour itself was enlightening. Langa is an important township and a very close knit community. There is a huge range of people living here, from tiny, informal shanty houses to larger established homes. It was nice too, because there are township tours that go through townships on buses and stare at people as if they are in fishbowls and we were lucky enough to be on the ground, walking and interacting with different people. (Also people were very interested that we are staying here in Langa.) Also, our group discussed being a student rather than a tourist and what we can expect to get out of this and maybe a different attitude coming into it because of that. There is also a place, that is illegal, where they make a traditional beer in shanty housing and we got to sit in there and talk to some people. Even though it's illegal it's been there for a long time, something the government just turns its head.
We've had amazing lectures and discussions about apartheid and its effects socially, politically and structurely. Identity is really interesting here. During apartheid it was split into basically three categories: whites, coloreds and blacks. There's so much to say about race within the context and what we are learning that it doesn't make sense to even begin to write about it here but it's definitely something to keep in mind and it affects everything we do. I, obviously, can't stop thinking about Bosnia while I'm here and how there are so many connections.
Also we have case studies (like we did in Delhi and will have in Buenos Aires) and we have already split into our groups, even though the days assigned to it are a week or so away. I'm in the HIV group and it is going to be very interesting. We have already been making so many contacts that I can't wait to hit the ground running. Actually on Sunday Rashidah and I went with our host brother to this huge block party-esque thing in Guguletu (another township) where there is great chicken and music and drinks everywhere! People come from all different townships and it is definitely and place to be for young people. We met an incredible woman (a friend of our host brother) who works for an organization for the prevention of HIV and we are talking with her too. That's my favorite thing, to be social and also learn so so much at the same time. Great conversation and a great environment is always better than a classroom!
This Sunday we'll move to Bo Kaap, our other homestay. It's in the city so that will be different and I think it will be fun for us to be able to explore a little more too. I feel so comfortable here in Cape Town and also in Langa but we've been warned about the violence so I am also on my guard. It's almost like I can't trust my instincts to be comfortable...I don't know, it's tricky.
Vacation is coming up and I need to make plans for that...it snuck up on me! I'll let you guys know what I'm planning. Miss you all!
xoxo
We got an amazing tour of Langa, the township we are staying in. We saw so much more of the people and businesses and just life in general. It was difficult though because we would be going into these small rooms where 16 different people lived and it would feel like we were being so incredibly invasive. We talked about that a lot as a group as well, the idea of poverty tourism and it giving poor people an income but at what cost? It's something that I've accepted that I won't have incredible pictures of what I've seen and experienced here and I apologize to all of you who I would love to share it with but it's about respect and respecting the lives of the people that we are so lucky to interact with and it's hard not to take a picture to remember and share but taking out a camera and taking a snapshot of the way a person lives can be taken in many different ways. I believe that it is the responsibility of a traveler to take back what they have learned/experienced and share that with as many people as he/she can so it's about a cultural exchange and a different way of spreading knowledge and information. Images are very powerful and are a great tool to use and it makes me a bit sad to think I won't have that to use or just to have to remember the people and places but again, I want to respect the place and community that I am in first and foremost. But the tour itself was enlightening. Langa is an important township and a very close knit community. There is a huge range of people living here, from tiny, informal shanty houses to larger established homes. It was nice too, because there are township tours that go through townships on buses and stare at people as if they are in fishbowls and we were lucky enough to be on the ground, walking and interacting with different people. (Also people were very interested that we are staying here in Langa.) Also, our group discussed being a student rather than a tourist and what we can expect to get out of this and maybe a different attitude coming into it because of that. There is also a place, that is illegal, where they make a traditional beer in shanty housing and we got to sit in there and talk to some people. Even though it's illegal it's been there for a long time, something the government just turns its head.
We've had amazing lectures and discussions about apartheid and its effects socially, politically and structurely. Identity is really interesting here. During apartheid it was split into basically three categories: whites, coloreds and blacks. There's so much to say about race within the context and what we are learning that it doesn't make sense to even begin to write about it here but it's definitely something to keep in mind and it affects everything we do. I, obviously, can't stop thinking about Bosnia while I'm here and how there are so many connections.
Also we have case studies (like we did in Delhi and will have in Buenos Aires) and we have already split into our groups, even though the days assigned to it are a week or so away. I'm in the HIV group and it is going to be very interesting. We have already been making so many contacts that I can't wait to hit the ground running. Actually on Sunday Rashidah and I went with our host brother to this huge block party-esque thing in Guguletu (another township) where there is great chicken and music and drinks everywhere! People come from all different townships and it is definitely and place to be for young people. We met an incredible woman (a friend of our host brother) who works for an organization for the prevention of HIV and we are talking with her too. That's my favorite thing, to be social and also learn so so much at the same time. Great conversation and a great environment is always better than a classroom!
This Sunday we'll move to Bo Kaap, our other homestay. It's in the city so that will be different and I think it will be fun for us to be able to explore a little more too. I feel so comfortable here in Cape Town and also in Langa but we've been warned about the violence so I am also on my guard. It's almost like I can't trust my instincts to be comfortable...I don't know, it's tricky.
Vacation is coming up and I need to make plans for that...it snuck up on me! I'll let you guys know what I'm planning. Miss you all!
xoxo
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
In Africa and it's chilly...
So I've landed in South Africa and it's quite chilly. But there are zero complaints from me (or the group) after the heat and humidity of India. Honestly not much as happened so far, we had orientation yesterday and then dinner at our coordinator's house which was really nice. I'm so excited to be here. I was so sad to leave India that's all I thought about but I don't think it ever crossed my mind that I'd be in Africa!!
I haven't really seen much here (yesterday my stomach was acting up so I didn't really leave the hostel) but today we have our first class and then we transfer to our homestays!! We are staying in two different places while here in Cape Town, the first is Langa a township. I'm actually staying with my good friend Rashida again. We were together in Detroit and I don't think we are supposed to be put into the same room again but neither of us are complaining! It's actually funny because we were talking about how much we wanted to live together again and how we were sad that we couldn't, well guess we can!
I'm excited to move into my new homestay but I'm a little nervous. Last family I stayed with was so wonderful it's hard not to have high expectations but I'll try not to expect too much (and then hopefully be pleasantly surprised!)
The flights here were interesting. We flew to Doha and then had to catch a short connect for our flight to South Africa. We made it ok but the flight first stopped in Johannesburg and we had to wait for like 6 hours because something was wrong with the plane. So it definitely made an already long flight longer but we were fine and it really wasn't too big of a deal.
I guess that's all for now. I don't know if it's just the internet cafe I'm using right now or if it's the internet in general (dad, I remember your story with the carrier pigeons) but it's being a little funky so I'm sorry if I don't get to respond to emails or messages.
xoxo
Lizzie
I haven't really seen much here (yesterday my stomach was acting up so I didn't really leave the hostel) but today we have our first class and then we transfer to our homestays!! We are staying in two different places while here in Cape Town, the first is Langa a township. I'm actually staying with my good friend Rashida again. We were together in Detroit and I don't think we are supposed to be put into the same room again but neither of us are complaining! It's actually funny because we were talking about how much we wanted to live together again and how we were sad that we couldn't, well guess we can!
I'm excited to move into my new homestay but I'm a little nervous. Last family I stayed with was so wonderful it's hard not to have high expectations but I'll try not to expect too much (and then hopefully be pleasantly surprised!)
The flights here were interesting. We flew to Doha and then had to catch a short connect for our flight to South Africa. We made it ok but the flight first stopped in Johannesburg and we had to wait for like 6 hours because something was wrong with the plane. So it definitely made an already long flight longer but we were fine and it really wasn't too big of a deal.
I guess that's all for now. I don't know if it's just the internet cafe I'm using right now or if it's the internet in general (dad, I remember your story with the carrier pigeons) but it's being a little funky so I'm sorry if I don't get to respond to emails or messages.
xoxo
Lizzie
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Last Day in India
Well today is my last day here in Delhi, or in India for that matter. I want to make this a short entry not because I don't have much to say (I have SOOO much) but I'm borrowing my friend's computer and I don't want to monopolize the time on the internet.
Ok, so Chandigarh was really nice. Very chill and interesting. We did have this huge case study that we had to do for our Contemporary Urban Issues class that dominated our last few days and was a bit stressful on the group project/presentation front, but we got a lot out of it. My group worked on the sector system as a whole. It was interesting to see if it was really self-sufficient like the designer intended or not. In some cases it was and in others we found people wanted to move outside of their sector. The more we interact with people the more I just find everyone so curious and friendly. We would never be able to collect the information that we needed if it weren't for the help of everyone who is so willing to talk to us. On that note, not everyone is able to communicate with us either because of language problems or whatever.
Returning to Delhi has been incredible. I feel completely different about being here, just calm now and happy. I really enjoy the city and the struggles and the adventures. It's been kind of a rollercoaster of emotions (and physical wellbeing) while I've been here but ultimately it has reached a point where I can really appreciate and be involved with my surroundings. It's just horrible timing that it has to come with our last few days here! It feels like this trip has been such a tease, to go through all of that and to come out feeling this great and then to leave. But I know I will come back. I want to explore more of India, the South and the rural villages and other big cities. There is so so so much to see and to know it's been a nice taste tester but I want more.
We had our farewell dinner on friday night and it was really nice. My host mother and grandfather came and we are meeting them for chai in a couple hours to say our last good bye. We went around the dinner thanking our families in front of the group and I started to tearing up. It's just that they really treated us like daughters and it's been a wonderful experience. I also have been spending the past day or so with my friend Deivid's host family who also has been incredible. It's a perfect way to end India, even though I wish it wouldn't end so soon.
Ok to wrap up. I have some great videos that I will try to load soon on here. South Africa here I come, ready or not! Ha.
Love you all
Lizzie
Ok, so Chandigarh was really nice. Very chill and interesting. We did have this huge case study that we had to do for our Contemporary Urban Issues class that dominated our last few days and was a bit stressful on the group project/presentation front, but we got a lot out of it. My group worked on the sector system as a whole. It was interesting to see if it was really self-sufficient like the designer intended or not. In some cases it was and in others we found people wanted to move outside of their sector. The more we interact with people the more I just find everyone so curious and friendly. We would never be able to collect the information that we needed if it weren't for the help of everyone who is so willing to talk to us. On that note, not everyone is able to communicate with us either because of language problems or whatever.
Returning to Delhi has been incredible. I feel completely different about being here, just calm now and happy. I really enjoy the city and the struggles and the adventures. It's been kind of a rollercoaster of emotions (and physical wellbeing) while I've been here but ultimately it has reached a point where I can really appreciate and be involved with my surroundings. It's just horrible timing that it has to come with our last few days here! It feels like this trip has been such a tease, to go through all of that and to come out feeling this great and then to leave. But I know I will come back. I want to explore more of India, the South and the rural villages and other big cities. There is so so so much to see and to know it's been a nice taste tester but I want more.
We had our farewell dinner on friday night and it was really nice. My host mother and grandfather came and we are meeting them for chai in a couple hours to say our last good bye. We went around the dinner thanking our families in front of the group and I started to tearing up. It's just that they really treated us like daughters and it's been a wonderful experience. I also have been spending the past day or so with my friend Deivid's host family who also has been incredible. It's a perfect way to end India, even though I wish it wouldn't end so soon.
Ok to wrap up. I have some great videos that I will try to load soon on here. South Africa here I come, ready or not! Ha.
Love you all
Lizzie
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