Reflection

So I am back in the States. I have been. It has been nice to slowly adapt back into American society. I'm now back to watching American football and basketball instead of soccer and cricket. I now talk about a BBQ instead of a braai. I now have my two crazy sisters instead of crazy room mates. Instead of talking about corruption and money in politics, we now talk about...oh wait, there's no change there.

It is so nice to see my family and friends again. I miss the ones from South Africa but my friends here have known me longer so they get that added plus. Family is something that everyone should value. Even if they might be a little strange. Just kidding! :-)

Everyone asks me, "how was South Africa?" I always answer - "It was weird." It really was. The mix of traditional Zulu culture with modernization. The collegiate atmosphere in the middle of Africa. The silence of AIDS. The troubles of crime. The promise of a developing country and the sheer utter excitement when you get to see it changing over six months. The presidential nominee in political trouble. Nelson Mandela's great triumph. The great residents and the diversity of cultures. The still-lingering racial tensions. How can one truly describe it all?

What have I learned? Don't take things for what they may first appear to be. You will have a very different experience going as a tourist than someone who lives there for an extended period of time. As a tourist, you won't be able to see Africa for what it is. Even after living there for a long time, it would still be hard to say what exactly Africa is. In fact, I don't even think one can adequately give a definition. Sub-saharan Africa is totally different from the rest of Africa and South Africa is totally different than even Lesotho, a country completely surrounded by RSA (acronym for S. Africa).

One thing is for sure: the people who live in the area of southern Africa are people who love. Despite all the statistics and bad parts, these people are committed to creating a renewed community where everyone is accepted for who they are. Then they love to make you better.

So, here in the States - let's do the same. We see all the time during various disasters, big metro ones and personal ones. Let's make it a priority in our lives and live selflessly in love.

I Promise!!!

That return home update is coming. I haven't finished coming completely home yet so hence the delay. I'm in San Diego making my final sweeps of seeing friends and also looking for housing.

Here's South Africa in the news.

Also, be on the lookout for a link to a new blog.

Back Safe and Sound

Sorry to leave you all on the hook but I am back in the States safe and sound. I'll give a bigger update of my return this weekend.

Cape Town

Wow! My road trip across South Africa was very interesting!

Traveling from Zululand and the Durban area to the Garden Route and Cape Town is like traveling through different countries. In the middle is an area called the Eastern Cape which could be considered its own little country. Not only are the people different in each place, but the ecosystems and environments are different. Dialects, histories, languages, mannerisms, etc. all change. Suddenly, the way you've acted for 4 months becomes strange and foreign (well, being American is already foreign enough but still).

The Western Cape (where Cape Town is located) is obviously the richest/cleanest/safest province in South Africa. Afrikaans, not Zulu, is the main language; white people work behind convenience store counters, and the police inspire faith. Healthy foods replace KFCs. Walking at night replaces calling for security escorts. Even the poor dress better and/or play music to beg. Cape Town is definitely not the Africa I've come to know. It is such a different experience that it has to be compared in its own regard. I have to admit that I had my culture shock there and that CT was wayyy too touristy for my taste. However, the up sides were that interracial interaction was higher and eco-friendly things are happening. Now if the city (or country, for that matter) can get rid of cocaine, glue-sniffers, and harassment...

I'm glad that I studied in KwaZulu-Natal. I felt as though I received an "African" experience. Granted, I had some modern comforts but I felt closer to real and true South African life. In Cape Town, I feel as though it would've been like going to Europe or New York. It was a good way to end this trip here in South Africa. I'm being acculturated in time for my flight in less than 48 hours back to the States. It is difficult to sum the trip in words. Many emotions, feelings, thoughts, and memories surround it - positive and negative. I will have to say that the trip as a whole was great. I learned to live on my own, isolated from my family and all but one of my friends. I maintained my identity, discovered new interests and hobbies, and experienced a vibrant and thriving culture.

South Africa. A distinct and unique country that cannot be adequately defined by any particular race, religion, or region. It is an ambiguous term that attempts to describe a collection of people attempting to live together. Despite all of its problems, the country is progressing in various stages in its own time. It is full of potential. It has made amazing strides so far. It just needs to keep going and keep working. At least until three in the afternoon.

Complete!

I have finished the long and arduous journey otherwise known as a "semester." I am so thankful that I get to return to the quarter system. This thing was way too long.

I've got a bunch of reservations set for my trip to Cape Town. Hotels, hostels, rental car, and Cape Town excursions are all planned and ready to go. Of course, I've left about two days in CT to do whatever comes up. Everyone who I've talked to is excited for me and wants to come along with. They all say Cape Town is beautiful and the place to be.

I was sitting in my room and I thought about how easy it will be to pack. I pretty much just have clothes, school work, and books to pack. I spent all my money on trips and food. I did decide that I was going to buy all my touristy goods the last week so I wouldn't have to hold on to it for too long. My greatest treasures are in the pictures and friends I've made. Aww, how corny!

Anyways, the next time you hear from me, I'll be on the road! Less than two weeks until I come home! Gasp!

Thunderstorms

The weather reflects the attitude of several Americans and exchange students at the moment.

Here is an article about the rape.

Headlines

Sorry about the lack of posts. I'm in the midst of writing exams and paying off housing fees so that's taking up a lot of my time.

Exciting news! My friends and I made the Pietermaritzburg paper! We had a full-page article on page 7 under the 'Travel' section for our spring break road trip. One of our drivers, Zam, is a writer for the paper, "The Witness." All of a sudden - we had our very own article! I bought a copy so I'll have to show everyone when I get home.

Sad news... One of the American students at UKZN in Durban (not Becca) was raped this past week. We were all shooken up by it because the news on the t.v. didn't tell us which campus. After checking up with all of the girls at PMB and Becca, a mixed feeling of relief and sorrow filled our hearts. We're all on edge because we're so close to the end and we don't want anything bad to happen now. I hope that girl has strong friends around her but the whole situation just sucks. South Africa is a country that has one of the highest amounts of rape. Usually, though, it's between people that have a previous knowledge of one another. I don't know any details about this case but there is just no excuse for this behavior. It's this kind of thing that can really dampen the image of a country.