Ainsley on a wonderful excursion and coming "home"

Like most of our activities on this trip, excursion to Johannesburg was not what I was expecting. When looking at our schedule there was a lot of time spent in museums and learning about South African history. And while we learned a lot and saw a new history of specific events, the best part of the trip was not found in the knowledge I gained. Like I’ve experienced in Cape Town, it was the people we encountered that made the trip what it was. The passion they had for their jobs or just the unfamiliar lifestyles we found gave us just as much education as any of the museums. 

One day we spent our time at the Boys andGirls Club of Soweto. As we volunteered in different projects at the club we got to know the kids and the director, Casey Bridges. We only spent a few hours there but it was easy to see how important Casey’s work was to him and how much the children needed and appreciated what was provided for them. 

Ainsley (front left) working and playing at Boys and Girls Club in Soweto

The following night we went to a South African play, "Curl Up and Dye". While the play was entertaining getting to speak with the actors and playwright afterwards was so much more interesting. They shared their experiences growing up during apartheid and how they see South Africa today. But it was clear that in letting us into their pasts they were also explaining their stories to each other for the first time. Through their experiences we got a glimpse into the childhoods of girls classified black but with very different families, classified colored and classified white. 

Finally, on Wednesday we visited the apartheid museum and while I loved the exhibits and displays our tour guide interested me most. He was in the middle of training to be a traditional healer; a calling he had felt his whole life. I loved hearing about his culture and I think it is so important for us to learn about it since what we don’t understand we often judge. But his culture is a significant part of South Africa and it’s so important that we expose ourselves to as much of it as possible and be open minded. Along with his lesson on traditional healing, he also opened up to us about his HIV+ status and how he views ARV treatment working in conjunction with healing; working together or how they assist in different aspects.

           

My most significant realization though, was how despite the friendliness we saw in Jo’burg and the education we received, I really missed Cape Town. I missed searching the skyline for Table Mountain to find where I am in the city. I missed the constant sound of Xhosa being spoken around me. But mostly I missed my home, the place we had grown comfortable and where we knew what to expect. But now I have to acknowledge that we have to leave this place again so soon.