Meaghan on experiencing the two worlds that are Cape Town

I really can’t believe we have less than a month left here in Cape Town! I hate to think about how quickly time is passing, but instead focus on having as much fun as possible in the time we still have. This past Friday, Kate, Kayla, Lianna, Dana, Joe, and I all came to Beautiful Gate for a community party they throw annually. They invite all of the children who attend the local ARV clinic and provide a fun afternoon of games and activities for them to enjoy. I had an awesome time running around with the kids after some face painting, and it was great to see how Beautiful Gate caters to the community while helping to raise the spirits of children facing great challenges. 

Joe & Meaghan

On Saturday we visited the Old Biscuit Mill for the second time, and enjoyed some of the incredible food they have to offer. 

On Sunday we went to Khayelitsha to have lunch at a local place with Ntswaki, one of the nurses at Beautiful Gate. This was really awesome because it was a pretty unique experience and one I might not do again. It was nice to hang out with local people and actually be in Khayelitsha where I have spent so little time.

One thing that was striking to me however was the stark contrast in the crowds we were with on Friday and Sunday versus on Saturday. Since we have been in this country, it has been very clear the two different worlds that seem to independently coexist here, if that makes sense. One of extreme wealth and one of extreme poverty, the two worlds provide entirely different experiences for people involved in each, and yet never seem to really mesh. I can’t say that these two worlds don’t also exist in the United States, but I feel as though I am thrown in between them more often here. 

It is really difficult for me to process how I feel when I am in either environment, but I feel as though I’m never really in an in-between, or entirely belong in one. I’m not really sure what point I am trying to make here, but I think it relates to a lot of things we have been learning about since being here. As the rich get richer, the poor get poorer and it can be draining to see both sides of this just depending on what day of the week it is. As difficult and heart wrenching as this can be, I can see the impact it is making on my beliefs and teaching me a valuable lesson.