So we went to Muizenberg beach yesterday which is 20 mins from my house. It was the first time that we rode the train and the whole time I felt that people were staring at us. I am not sure if I am just overly paranoid or if indeed people kept checking us out- its probably a combination of both, but we were definitely the only white people on the train. Anyways Muizenberg is the birthplace of surfing in South Africa and it was the first time that I had touched the Indian ocean!! The wind was crazy and the surf was really rough so I didn't swim, but some others did. To protect ourselves from the sand wind storms we laid behind little houses which surfers rent out to store their stuff and when we went to leave we noticed that the shark flag had been put up indicating that a shark was recently spotted!!! Later on next week some kids are going shark diving. That sounds like my worse nightmare.
Today we took a break day because it feels like we have been going non-stop. Its not necessarily physically tiring but more mentally tiring. From meeting millions of new people to always watching my purse and noticing who is around me
I feel that I've been on heightened alert all the time that I'm in public. Its just so weird to always be tied to what other people are doing at night because I wouldn't dare go anywhere at night by myself. Going for a run with my ipod seems like such a luxury.
I'm excited because tomorrow we get to sleep in and then are going to the Kirstenbosch gardens to walk around and then picnic at an open air concert.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
"TIA" This is Africa.
I have been here for about a week and it feels like forever. It reminds me of camp days when hours seem like days and days seem like years.
The other day we had to take a matric exam which is the equivalent to the SATS in the states. The test is absolutely ridiculous because it doesn’t count towards anything for us but it is required by the government. I think the literacy portion could have been completed by a third grader. However, for many people in Africa the test is nearly impossible and only about 3 in 10 kids from the townships go to college.
Although I had been previously been warned about the lack of efficiency in Africa and slower pace of life, these couple of days have been quite trying- and the test which took 5 hours and counted towards absolutely nothing highlighted the phrase I have heard often, “TIA” This is Africa. As I sat in line for an hour and a half to preregister for courses moving seat by seat every few minutes or so, I kept reminding myself, “TIA”. When I waited for the jammie bus to go to campus which was supposed to come at 9:30 but finally arrived at 9:50, TIA. When I went to get a special sheet to change my courses and they were out and couldn’t simply photocopy more…TIA. And I am sure tomorrow when I actually register for courses and have to walk around to each building and see each professor to get their signatures I will have the same feeling. Its just the way it works here, and although frustrating at times, I am getting used to not being able to accomplish everything that I want to in a day- it can always be done tomorrow.
And while this phrase seems to apply to nearly every situation I have experienced thus far, I am still battling the idea that something “could be Africa”, when some people here live in 1st world conditions, while ten miles down the road there is no electricity or running water. I was absolutely astonished today when I went to the township where I might be volunteering to see the school and some of the kids. The shanties were leaning over, dilapidated and run down, kids were running barefoot in the streets, and there were no paved roads. As tough as it was to see, the most troubling part to me was that this township exists a mere 20 minutes from my lovely apartment. How in the world could someone ever say “TIA” when the lives these people live could not be more different? To top it all off, after the township visit some friends and I went to Cavendish which is a shopping mall and then out to sushi. We didn’t realize that the sushi bar was going to be a swanky place, but swank it had. As I sat eating my sushi and looked around at all the beautiful people drinking wine, I couldn’t help but think about the kid 10 miles down the road who was sleeping in a house without electricity. How the heck do these two worlds exist right next to each other? It was such an odd feeling- such tremendous contrast, almost surreal. Two hours ago I was in a township and now I am drinking lemon water and eating a salmon California roll….. WHAT is going on? I was told that there would be this contrast but its truly unbelievable… I really don’t even know how to describe it.
While I really want to do the teaching program in the township there is something about the whole process that seems touristy to me—like let me save and bring light to these poor, starving children in Africa. In truth, I think that I would learn much more from them than they ever would from me. I am thinking that I will do Shawco because I want to escape from the UCT bubble but I wish I could create my own organization that does not filter feed international students through these schools, but then again I am that international student coming for only a semester. I am probably contradicting myself and if I sound confused its because I am. These issues are beyond complicated and it torments me. No answer is black and white and I suppose I should become comfortable with that idea but its hard to grapple.
I didn’t mean to get to into the heavy stuff, I am truly having a wonderful time, but Cape Town is a place complicated beyond my wildest expectations I can’t wait to explore these issues further.
Speaking of exploring, on Monday a group and I are going to climb Devils Peak. I can’t wait. Apparently the trek is 3 hours straight up but the view at the top should be worth every step.
Miss you all.
The other day we had to take a matric exam which is the equivalent to the SATS in the states. The test is absolutely ridiculous because it doesn’t count towards anything for us but it is required by the government. I think the literacy portion could have been completed by a third grader. However, for many people in Africa the test is nearly impossible and only about 3 in 10 kids from the townships go to college.
Although I had been previously been warned about the lack of efficiency in Africa and slower pace of life, these couple of days have been quite trying- and the test which took 5 hours and counted towards absolutely nothing highlighted the phrase I have heard often, “TIA” This is Africa. As I sat in line for an hour and a half to preregister for courses moving seat by seat every few minutes or so, I kept reminding myself, “TIA”. When I waited for the jammie bus to go to campus which was supposed to come at 9:30 but finally arrived at 9:50, TIA. When I went to get a special sheet to change my courses and they were out and couldn’t simply photocopy more…TIA. And I am sure tomorrow when I actually register for courses and have to walk around to each building and see each professor to get their signatures I will have the same feeling. Its just the way it works here, and although frustrating at times, I am getting used to not being able to accomplish everything that I want to in a day- it can always be done tomorrow.
And while this phrase seems to apply to nearly every situation I have experienced thus far, I am still battling the idea that something “could be Africa”, when some people here live in 1st world conditions, while ten miles down the road there is no electricity or running water. I was absolutely astonished today when I went to the township where I might be volunteering to see the school and some of the kids. The shanties were leaning over, dilapidated and run down, kids were running barefoot in the streets, and there were no paved roads. As tough as it was to see, the most troubling part to me was that this township exists a mere 20 minutes from my lovely apartment. How in the world could someone ever say “TIA” when the lives these people live could not be more different? To top it all off, after the township visit some friends and I went to Cavendish which is a shopping mall and then out to sushi. We didn’t realize that the sushi bar was going to be a swanky place, but swank it had. As I sat eating my sushi and looked around at all the beautiful people drinking wine, I couldn’t help but think about the kid 10 miles down the road who was sleeping in a house without electricity. How the heck do these two worlds exist right next to each other? It was such an odd feeling- such tremendous contrast, almost surreal. Two hours ago I was in a township and now I am drinking lemon water and eating a salmon California roll….. WHAT is going on? I was told that there would be this contrast but its truly unbelievable… I really don’t even know how to describe it.
While I really want to do the teaching program in the township there is something about the whole process that seems touristy to me—like let me save and bring light to these poor, starving children in Africa. In truth, I think that I would learn much more from them than they ever would from me. I am thinking that I will do Shawco because I want to escape from the UCT bubble but I wish I could create my own organization that does not filter feed international students through these schools, but then again I am that international student coming for only a semester. I am probably contradicting myself and if I sound confused its because I am. These issues are beyond complicated and it torments me. No answer is black and white and I suppose I should become comfortable with that idea but its hard to grapple.
I didn’t mean to get to into the heavy stuff, I am truly having a wonderful time, but Cape Town is a place complicated beyond my wildest expectations I can’t wait to explore these issues further.
Speaking of exploring, on Monday a group and I are going to climb Devils Peak. I can’t wait. Apparently the trek is 3 hours straight up but the view at the top should be worth every step.
Miss you all.
Monday, January 25, 2010
at the tip of the world.
Yesterday I think I saw the most beautiful vista I have ever seen/ will see at the Cape of Good Hope which is the southern most point in South Africa. To stand at the light house after climbing millions of steps and then to and look out over the ocean knowing that only Antarctica lay beyond the horizon was a feeling I will never forget.
The Cape of Good Hope was only one stop along our journey touring the peninsula. We also stopped at Simon’s Bay and saw penguins and went to a township called Ocean View. In Ocean View the local kids put on a break dancing show that was unbelievable- these kids really know how to bust a move. At first I felt really awkward about the idea of going to a township- as if we were going to see animals in a zoo. However, the guide said that the people love to share their culture with others and that we were going to experience a vibrant culture, not one that should necessarily be pitied. The people were overwhelmingly welcoming and told us that we had a responsibility to participate in their culture as well as share our own beliefs. As much as this made sense to me, there was still something about it that didn’t sit right. Hopefully when I work in one of the townships through SHAWCO which is an organization at UCT where you go to teach in a classroom I will start to feel like I am bringing apart of myself and making an important contribution.
Today was our first real day of orientation at UCT. They welcomed us and began a series of presentations about culture shock, AIDS, and safety. Lets just say that a sex ed class in an environment where one out of four people has AIDS is quite different than the 7th grade joke that Mr. Wassel taught- it’s a serious, serious issue. In addition, they also spoke about safety and made everyone a bit paranoid about closing their windows at night and storing computers and valuables away and out of sight.
After the talks everyone was given a drum and led by professional drummers in a call and response type session. These guys completely rocked the house, and were legit rastafarians.
So far everything is just overwhelmingly great. At points I feel overwhelmed, anxious about security and frustrated that I have to take a bath in sunscreen before I go outside for even a minute, however, I know that the ups come with the downs and that is not easy; but that’s why I chose to come to South Africa.
The Cape of Good Hope was only one stop along our journey touring the peninsula. We also stopped at Simon’s Bay and saw penguins and went to a township called Ocean View. In Ocean View the local kids put on a break dancing show that was unbelievable- these kids really know how to bust a move. At first I felt really awkward about the idea of going to a township- as if we were going to see animals in a zoo. However, the guide said that the people love to share their culture with others and that we were going to experience a vibrant culture, not one that should necessarily be pitied. The people were overwhelmingly welcoming and told us that we had a responsibility to participate in their culture as well as share our own beliefs. As much as this made sense to me, there was still something about it that didn’t sit right. Hopefully when I work in one of the townships through SHAWCO which is an organization at UCT where you go to teach in a classroom I will start to feel like I am bringing apart of myself and making an important contribution.
Today was our first real day of orientation at UCT. They welcomed us and began a series of presentations about culture shock, AIDS, and safety. Lets just say that a sex ed class in an environment where one out of four people has AIDS is quite different than the 7th grade joke that Mr. Wassel taught- it’s a serious, serious issue. In addition, they also spoke about safety and made everyone a bit paranoid about closing their windows at night and storing computers and valuables away and out of sight.
After the talks everyone was given a drum and led by professional drummers in a call and response type session. These guys completely rocked the house, and were legit rastafarians.
So far everything is just overwhelmingly great. At points I feel overwhelmed, anxious about security and frustrated that I have to take a bath in sunscreen before I go outside for even a minute, however, I know that the ups come with the downs and that is not easy; but that’s why I chose to come to South Africa.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Just going to to the grocery to buy some electricity
Today I moved into my new home for the next 5 months. There are 5 people living in the house and one has yet to arrive- 2 guys, one from Switzerland and one from UW Madison and then the other girl is from Norway. The number of Madison kids here is unreal. I think that the kids from other countries are getting fed up with us “Americans”; well such is life I suppose.
The landlord welcomed us and talked with us for 1 ½ about the house and her expectations and rules. It was quite overwhelming and she seems rather neurotic. Apparently there were many damages to the house last semester, so she covered all of her bases. The house is beautiful, I have my own room on the second floor overlooking the “garden” which is what they call the backyard. The backyard actually connects to another backyard with another house of 5 international students so it will be nice to hang around with them also. The house is super secure. There is a gate/barred door, then the main front door which has two locks. Then when you enter the house there is an alarm system. I’m afraid that I’m going to trip the alarm/not be able to open all of the doors. We set off the alarm on purpose just hear what it sounded like and then the alarm company called and we had to give them a password to let them know it was just us. The security here is not a light matter and with all of these protections, it becomes readily apparent.
We also you bought electricity from the grocery store and have to pay for the internet per data uploaded. So long days of spending hours on the internet…..
One thing I have learned is that Americans dress like complete schmucks in comparison to South Africans. (or at least I dress like a complete schmuck). The other day when we were hiking around I was wearing a pair of soccer shorts and some random t shirt and the orientation leader told me that girls at UCT don’t wear gym clothes or sneakers to school. GREAT. 90% of my clothes fall under this category and are now deemed completely inappropriate. I guess I don’t have to pretend I’m from SA anyways- they know from the minute they see my white beyond white skin I’m a foreigner. By the way, the accents are wonderful. My favorite is when they say “ya”. It almost rhymes with jaw in the sense that its long and drawn out. Frequently this ya business comes in at the end of sentences, as in, “its pretty yaahhh?” Watch out, I’m going to come home saying yaaaaa. Yaaaah?
Tomorrow we go on the Cape Peninsula tour to see penguins, the coastline and some of the townships. Should be excellent.
The landlord welcomed us and talked with us for 1 ½ about the house and her expectations and rules. It was quite overwhelming and she seems rather neurotic. Apparently there were many damages to the house last semester, so she covered all of her bases. The house is beautiful, I have my own room on the second floor overlooking the “garden” which is what they call the backyard. The backyard actually connects to another backyard with another house of 5 international students so it will be nice to hang around with them also. The house is super secure. There is a gate/barred door, then the main front door which has two locks. Then when you enter the house there is an alarm system. I’m afraid that I’m going to trip the alarm/not be able to open all of the doors. We set off the alarm on purpose just hear what it sounded like and then the alarm company called and we had to give them a password to let them know it was just us. The security here is not a light matter and with all of these protections, it becomes readily apparent.
We also you bought electricity from the grocery store and have to pay for the internet per data uploaded. So long days of spending hours on the internet…..
One thing I have learned is that Americans dress like complete schmucks in comparison to South Africans. (or at least I dress like a complete schmuck). The other day when we were hiking around I was wearing a pair of soccer shorts and some random t shirt and the orientation leader told me that girls at UCT don’t wear gym clothes or sneakers to school. GREAT. 90% of my clothes fall under this category and are now deemed completely inappropriate. I guess I don’t have to pretend I’m from SA anyways- they know from the minute they see my white beyond white skin I’m a foreigner. By the way, the accents are wonderful. My favorite is when they say “ya”. It almost rhymes with jaw in the sense that its long and drawn out. Frequently this ya business comes in at the end of sentences, as in, “its pretty yaahhh?” Watch out, I’m going to come home saying yaaaaa. Yaaaah?
Tomorrow we go on the Cape Peninsula tour to see penguins, the coastline and some of the townships. Should be excellent.
Friday, January 22, 2010
i think i could get used to this.
ahhhh greetings from africa!
ive been here for 2 days so far and its awesome. We went on a tour of the university and climbed 10 minutes up Table Mountain- which was absolutely beautiful. The weather is to die for mid 70s breezy, but cool at night. Today we went to Camps Bay to the beach, threw around the rugby ball and had lunch in an open restaurant. On the way we drove past Green Pointe Stadium which is where the World Cup matches will be held. We went by mini bus, packed in like sardines.
So far we have been living in one of the dorms with all the international students, but tomorrow we go to our house.
Sorry for a short post- more later
ive been here for 2 days so far and its awesome. We went on a tour of the university and climbed 10 minutes up Table Mountain- which was absolutely beautiful. The weather is to die for mid 70s breezy, but cool at night. Today we went to Camps Bay to the beach, threw around the rugby ball and had lunch in an open restaurant. On the way we drove past Green Pointe Stadium which is where the World Cup matches will be held. We went by mini bus, packed in like sardines.
So far we have been living in one of the dorms with all the international students, but tomorrow we go to our house.
Sorry for a short post- more later
Monday, January 18, 2010
minor victories
Sometimes I surprise myself and today was one of those days to celebrate the minor victories in life: my packed suitcase weighed 49.6 pounds. I'd say after traveling back and forth to Madison I have learned a few tricks about packing- a now seasoned traveler and a far cry from my early college days. Battered and torn from finals week, I headed to the airport at the end of freshman year more than ready for summer vacation, leisure and rest. I threw my suitcase on the scale when I checked in at the airport and saw that it weighed 57 pounds. Refusing to pay 100 dollars for 7 lousy extra pounds, I ravaged through my bag, searching for the heaviest items. I attached shoes by their laces to my backpack (which was already bursting at the seams) and began to throw on god knows how many sweatshirts, piling layers upon layers of clothing. Uncomfortable, stifling hot and weighed down by the shoes hanging from my backpack, I am pretty sure I looked like a homeless man walking through the Milwaukee airport. I saved 100 bucks, but learned an important lesson: always weigh your bag before arriving at the airport.
Another minor victory worth celebrating is that I finished packing my bags LAST night, a whole 48 hours in advance. Unbelievable. Its amazing how productive you can be when trying to avoid writing the proposal which your senior thesis hinges on. Its starting to look like androgen receptors, rats and ultrasonic vocalizations will be my “in-flight” entertainment.
Speaking of flights I leave at 8:15 on Wed morning and arrive in London after a 6 hour flight then leave London at 9:50 and arrive in Cape Town 12 (!) hours later at 11:30 am. I'm disappointed that Midwest doesn't fly to Africa. This means one thing: no baked on-board chocolate chip cookies. And I sure hope I like the person who sits next to me. Knowing my luck it will be some overweight man who can barely fit into the seat and snores. OR better yet a screaming baby.
This marks the end of my pre-departure babble.
Let the adventure begin!!!
Another minor victory worth celebrating is that I finished packing my bags LAST night, a whole 48 hours in advance. Unbelievable. Its amazing how productive you can be when trying to avoid writing the proposal which your senior thesis hinges on. Its starting to look like androgen receptors, rats and ultrasonic vocalizations will be my “in-flight” entertainment.
Speaking of flights I leave at 8:15 on Wed morning and arrive in London after a 6 hour flight then leave London at 9:50 and arrive in Cape Town 12 (!) hours later at 11:30 am. I'm disappointed that Midwest doesn't fly to Africa. This means one thing: no baked on-board chocolate chip cookies. And I sure hope I like the person who sits next to me. Knowing my luck it will be some overweight man who can barely fit into the seat and snores. OR better yet a screaming baby.
This marks the end of my pre-departure babble.
Let the adventure begin!!!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Cape Cod, Cape Town: what's the difference?
In 8 days I will be on a flight to Africa. I still have tons to pack and a grant proposal to write for my senior thesis. Yikes.
Packing for 6 months in one suitcase for weather that ranges from 55 to 100 is somewhat of a joke. And, there is no central heat in the houses in CT so if its 55 outside, its 55 in my bedroom. There is absolutely no way all my stuff is going to fit. Just today, I bought nearly 89 dollars worth of sunscreen. I love being Irish. Even though I don't have red hair, I will most certainly have red skin if I neglect to put on sunscreen. And, I have discovered that after living in Wisconsin for nearly 3 years, my supply of clothing for warm weather has greatly diminished. I guess I have never gone searching for shorts in the winter, but they are mighty hard to come by.
Anyways, the creation of this blog is yet another form of procrastination. I will try to post pretty frequently, however, I suspect that it might be a bit difficult because internet in CT is expensive. Expect pictures. After all, a picture says 1,000 words
Now that I have a new mac, skype might also be a good way to keep in touch. My skype name is catherinedemers and address:
3 Albert Rd, Room 3
Mowbray, Southern Suburbs, Western Cape 7700, South Africa
The deal is you write and I bring something back for you.
Who knows, maybe it will even be a giraffe.. .
You may laugh, but I did win a horse in a raffle on a Native American reservation way back when....
A conversation I had the other day made me laugh. I was talking with someone about my plans to study abroad and she mistook Cape Town, South Africa with Cape Cod Massachusetts. Surprisingly, the conversation continued for quite sometime without either of us realizing the misunderstanding. Really, Cape Cod?! Martha's Vineyard must have been a hard place for Mandela to be imprisoned for 20+ years....
Packing for 6 months in one suitcase for weather that ranges from 55 to 100 is somewhat of a joke. And, there is no central heat in the houses in CT so if its 55 outside, its 55 in my bedroom. There is absolutely no way all my stuff is going to fit. Just today, I bought nearly 89 dollars worth of sunscreen. I love being Irish. Even though I don't have red hair, I will most certainly have red skin if I neglect to put on sunscreen. And, I have discovered that after living in Wisconsin for nearly 3 years, my supply of clothing for warm weather has greatly diminished. I guess I have never gone searching for shorts in the winter, but they are mighty hard to come by.
Anyways, the creation of this blog is yet another form of procrastination. I will try to post pretty frequently, however, I suspect that it might be a bit difficult because internet in CT is expensive. Expect pictures. After all, a picture says 1,000 words
Now that I have a new mac, skype might also be a good way to keep in touch. My skype name is catherinedemers and address:
3 Albert Rd, Room 3
Mowbray, Southern Suburbs, Western Cape 7700, South Africa
The deal is you write and I bring something back for you.
Who knows, maybe it will even be a giraffe.. .
You may laugh, but I did win a horse in a raffle on a Native American reservation way back when....
A conversation I had the other day made me laugh. I was talking with someone about my plans to study abroad and she mistook Cape Town, South Africa with Cape Cod Massachusetts. Surprisingly, the conversation continued for quite sometime without either of us realizing the misunderstanding. Really, Cape Cod?! Martha's Vineyard must have been a hard place for Mandela to be imprisoned for 20+ years....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
