Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Leaving Jo-burg today

Hello!
I thought it appropriate as the last person to leave Jo-burg that I should send the last post from Africa. It's difficult to put the experience of the past several weeks into words. As you can tell by reading all of the previos posts, we covered a lot of ground, met many wonderful people and saw amazing landscapes. I also learned about being human. As an American I have so much and can take it for granted. It blew me away to meet a person who did not own a blanket until he was a teenager, that's not even getting into all the other things he still does not own. To meet small children orphaned by the scourge of AIDS, at best living with their grannies or at worst living alone. Despite the circumstances, each person I met was open, warm and joyful at meeting our group. In Malawi, at a school I met a woman who did not speak English but she grabbed me by the arms, looked into my eyes and smiled emphatically. As we walked around the school grounds, she put her arm around my shoulders and smiled.

We also saw a darker side of Africa where people have lost hope or are unable to rise above the conditions. As our guide in Kip Town said, we are all the same blood and soul. I believe those of us that have been priveledged in this life can and should provide support to those who have not. Their hope is our hope; we are a global community. The experience of whitnessing resilience and the sense of community in Africa will carry me though darker times ahead.
Go well, Michelle

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Soweto

Good morning from Johannesburg!

Lori here again. Today we are on our way to the Apartheid museum then perhaps a gold mining tour, potentially a quick trip to Pretoria and then off to the airport.

I have to say I have very mixed feelings about going home! I have fallen in love with this country and the people here and know for certainty that I need to return!

Yesterday we had the opportunity to take a tour of Soweto including a walking trip through a portion of Kliptown where the poverty level is staggering. The person giving us a tour of the area is from a program that comes in with after school programs for the area youth. The gave us a dance performance right before we left that was really impressive! He explained to us that even though they have incredibly little in the way of monetary or physical posessions they are rich in other ways. The people welcomed us into their homes -- the children curious. It makes you think.

Anyway, my group is about to leave for a busy day so I need to sign off.

This has been an incredible adventure and I hate for it to end but know I will be glad to be home as well. Have to say a heartfelt thanks to all that had a part in planning this trip -- every last detail taken care of. It has been wonderful.

Friends and family -- I will see you soon. Love you all! Lori