The next segment of the IES Spring break tour led our group to a ‘lazy’ rafting trip in the outskirts of Nelspruit; a mountainous and lush landscape about an hour from Kruger National Park. We wet-suited up, due to the cold, but were confused when we additionally had to wear helmets. Turns out, the river was no longer lazy with the excess rains. In fact, this rapids journey ended up being one of the scariest but thrilling adventures that I have ever experienced.
A couple of years back I went white-water rafting and loved coasting over the rapids. Looking back I think it was the addition of a guide on the raft that aided in my ability to focus on the fun and ignore my inner fear of falling out of the raft. On this river, we were given a single tube so I no longer had this luxury. Luckily, I got over this worry real fast as my first rapids found me spiraling down the river without a paddle or my tube. Although slightly terrified, it ended up being one of the best adrenaline rushes yet. It was an extreme roller coaster that was super fun!
Along with floating down the rapids, the journey was heightened when we hiked in the rain forest to bypass dangerous rock formations in the river and jumped 20 feet into a pool to go around a waterfall; it was so beautiful!
Although there were mixed feelings about the activity, I think it was cool that we were able to get through safely as a team 🙂 The students in my program have truly become a family away from family.
After our morning adventure we made our way to Johannesburg to tour the Apartheid Museum. It was quite a change of pace but necessary in order to capture the diversity of South Africa.
The commonly interpreted apartheid struggle of ‘black versus white’ was deeply explored in the museum whereby the intersection of human lives, skin color, and a turbulent political environment was explored leaving you with feelings of sorrow but a lasting call for hope.
To enter the museum a ‘skin tone status’ was written on your card as either ‘European’ or ‘Non-European’. You could only go in the door that corresponded with your card. You could not control if you would be split up with your friend or traveling party. This start of the museum simulated the separation of individuals (even among family members) during apartheid based on peoples uncontrollable factor of skin color. Through this entrance, exhibits explained how the Nationalist ruling party had researched a variety of oppressive society’s to form the ‘perfect’ segregated nation.
While the many terrible actions during the regime on both sides of the spectrum were depicted, the museum also commemorated the working efforts of the many individuals who fought against injustice. The work of Nelson Mandela was pivotal to the rise of democracy; however, his coming in to power would never have been possible without the efforts of the everyday South African. It is to these courageous people that the museum pays ode to.
It was quite refreshing to view newspaper clippings of current politics and actions in protest to the highly controversial ‘past freedom fighter’ President Zuma. The museum expressed all of the nation’s history no matter how ugly and with total truth in these clippings. The current post showed the awareness of political matters in the South African people.
This political awareness seen at the museum and also in my time at the University of Cape Town leaves me with hope for the future of South Africa as I have viewed on multiple occasions people talk about politics and uncomfortable topics freely. There is something amazing about individuals from ranging back grounds and political opinions coming together in a civilized manner to discuss ways to reach a common ground that could make a world comfortable for all members.
countries, or at the very least, continents, to look radically different. However, in many ways Tangier looked like another Spanish city, with tall buildings and an arid, Mediterranean climate. That being said, the first and perhaps most prominent difference I was delighted to notice was the clothing. As many know, Morocco is a predominantly Muslim and a therefore conservative country. Women often wear long, gorgeous, colorful dresses and head scarves and men wear their own version of dress or long tunic with small hats. As one with an affinity for fashion, I was enthralled to see such a different and beautiful style of dress. Here is a woman wearing very traditional clothing and a traditional hat. The next four days were a blur of beauty, travel, people, exhaustion, and amazement. With the help of our guide “Marky” Mark (I honestly have no idea why this became his nickname…) 17 of us became an inseparable group of young American sponges absorbing all there was to see, do, hear, taste, and touch. Side note: we were divided into small groups for the sake of travel ease, but 100 of us went in total! While in Tangier we roamed this city and visited the DARNA, an organization designed to help women as they are often in rather disadvantaged situations economically and socially. Here we met Hafsa, Sara, and Muhammad, three locals with whom we had very intriguing discussions about religion, women’s rights, homosexuality, politics, and everything else in between.
abat we met two more local students, Aishah and Muhammad (a VERY common name in Morocco). We heard their perspectives on marriage, education, and the current king Muhammad VI (told you). This trip taught me so much about Islam. I loved learning about its nuances as well as the commonalities and differences it has with my own religion Christianity. The primary difference between the two is that Islam claims Jesus to be a great prophet but not the Son of God. Moreover, He did not die on the cross! It was a friend who looked similar to him who died, according to Aishah and Muhammad. I confess I almost found this comical to imagine a parent trap kind of switch with Jesus and His doppleganger. However, I of course respect Islam though I may not agree.
public bathhouse. Not a sauna, a full on, mostly naked or completely naked set of rooms with water splashing, soap scrubbing, and women of every shape and size imaginable. We left shocked but confident having received a serious boost of self-esteem in our body images. The media does not portray real women, so while jarring to see complete strangers stripped down the skin, we were reminded that there is no perfect shape. I am glad that I went, but I would not go again. After visiting the humaam feeling clean and sleepy, we had traditional henna done, another tourist moment. I think this was the most Moroccan we felt, decked out in intricate henna having scrubbed ourselves clean with Moroccan women minutes before.
had Moroccan meatballs, traditional flatbread, beets, kebabs, and the most popular Moroccan dish: couscous. I think couscous is the Moroccan version of paella where it is made in massive vats and open to interpretation. Meals are concluded almost always with Moroccan tea: a very sweet brew with whole mint leaves and flowers floating throughout. I am not a huge fan of tea, but this was delicious.
do (I confess I forget his area of study!); and Fatimzhra El Adnani, who is studying English but is actually passionate about Psychology. These are just some of the many students I spent the afternoon getting to know. They are all rather liberal in stark contrast to their environment as aforementioned, but very respectful and open to ideas. They collectively have excellent taste in music and spontaneously dance well. “You have to come back to Morocco,” said Eddie to me. “There are too many beautiful places you have yet to see.” Agreed.
