Taylor on the weekend details

So this weekend was full of fun and exciting things... We went bungy jumping on Saturday from the Highest Bungy Jumping bridge in the world! We freefell for 5 seconds, it was probably one of the most amazing things I have ever done.  It actually feels like you are flying.  We stayed in a hostel overlooking the bay as well, which had an amazing view.  After bungy jumping we went to a place called monkey land where we saw a bunch of different types of monkeys, some even came right up to us, one grabbed my finger and the proceeded to scream its head off.  Another was hoping towards us and slapping the ground trying to scare us away.  After that we went to the elephant sanctuary where we walked hand in trunk with the elephants and got to feed and pet them.  For such big animals, they walk silently, the guide said this is because they walk on their tip toes.  Saturday was quite the day. Sunday we drove home and on the way stopped in Wilderness National Park where we rented canoes and paddled through a windy river surrounded by mountains to a nearby waterfall where we had lunch and spent a few hours.  It was a very relaxing and exciting weekend.

Taylor's time in Gugulethu & Langa

This Monday, since Thandokhulu High School is on holiday, Julian and I were invited to take a tour of a township called Langa by one of our students.  He took us to various places around town, including a local braai place similar to Mizoli’s in Gugulethu.  We got to see a table full of smileys before they were cooked; a smiley is the head of a goat which is deep fried and served whole, the name comes from the facial expression on the goat head.  Julian even had second thoughts on eating one after seeing them.  We found that Langa is quite different than where we live in Rondebosch, which we obviously knew, but we were still surprised by what we found.  For instance, few gates or front doors are locked.  We walked right Xhanti’s house without any need for a key.  Xhanti took us to some of his friend’s houses, which we just walked into, again without a key.  Although we arrived unannounced, we were greeted warmly and with many questions regarding where we were from and how we were enjoying Cape Town.  We also got to see some of the informal settlements, including the cows that graze in them, which makes me wonder where exactly the cheaper beef from Pick ‘n Pay comes from…  Overall, it was nice to see the real Cape Town outside of our little bubble. 

Taylor awed by the people and history of South Africa

Our trip to Johannesburg and Mpumalanga was absolutely incredible.  Johannesburg reminded me of New York City with its pace and general metropolitan appearance, especially since our hotel was located directly across the street from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.  It was especially amazing to see Sharpsville Massacre memorial and the location the massacre actually took place.  As a history major, this was quite exciting, but also incredibly moving.  Visiting the Hector Peterson museum was equally as moving.  I spent the entire three hours reading and looking at pictures from the event.  It was humbling and depressing to read of the sacrifices people had to make in the face of oppression, it really put the life we live in perspective.  The simple fact that we can be taught in our native language and not have to risk being shot in the back while running away from a peaceful protest is mind-blowing.  It goes to show how much I take for granted in everyday life, then again, this entire trip has had a similar effect.  Visiting Nelson Mandela’s home in Soweto and being able to walk around the house that perhaps the greatest living legend once lived in was a huge nerd moment for me. 

Kruger is a place that makes you think, “This is Africa,” but living and working in this country makes you realize that Kruger is the exception.  The amazing part of Africa is not the Big 5 or the deserts; it is the people and the history they share as well as the precedents in reconstruction and reconciliation they are setting for the rest of the world.  That aside, Kruger was still amazing.  A lion trotted by right next to our truck as if it was watching us instead of the other way around.  It was so nice being in the middle of nowhere and getting away from it all; except the spiders. 

Taylor looking back on memories, forward to possibilities

It was recently brought to my attention that our time here is continually running out, which is a slightly terrifying thought. Looking backward already brings back fond memories while looking forward brings up exciting possibilities. However, we seem to be gaining more from this experience than just good memories. Through our internships and our classes, we are learning more and more about the world in which we live and more importantly the idea that we are not the only ones living in it. We discussed in Vernon's class today the reasoning behind our interest in studying and interning in Cape Town, admitting this shows that this blog entry is late... However, we discussed the idea of coming to Cape Town to make a difference, but the difference seems to be made within ourselves. Although we seek to change the world to make it a better place for humanity, we are the ones that are changing and learning from this experience. As we approach the end of our trip here, we must recognize this change and decide how we are going to use this new found knowledge to try to make a difference in world.

Taylor on his non-routine routine

As we start our sixth week of living here, things seem to be falling into routine. But that routine is by no means routine compared to my life at home. Monday through Wednesday I wake up and spend the day trying to figure out how to teach history. I seem to be learning as much from them as they are from me, if not more. My teaching is either met with a blank stare saying slow down and stop rambling on about nothing, or an encouraging smile and some hand raising signaling they are interested and understand. I was also approached by a student after school, he told me he had a problem with my class, he said he needed to learn more about the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement.

The routine continues at home for the night when we make dinner. I am actually cooking, something I have never done in my life, with the exception of ramen and eggs. Routine also includes the weekly surfing trip to Muzinberg and perhaps a hike. This week we saw the sunset on Lion’s Head, followed by a nearly full moon. My routine ended this weekend with a Sunset concert at Kirstenbosch Gardens. 

Taylor's reflection on high school

Taylor

As I was walking through the commons on my way home from work today, Julian and I ran into a 1.2-meter snake that we are pretty sure was a black mamba. Other than that we are settling in. We got through our first week of internships without any major issues, other than a crazy bus driver supposedly. The mindset at the Thandokhulu High School is vastly different than you would find in the United States. First of all, they have little concern for a time schedule. The schedule they gave us just listed the classes in order, when I asked them for a time schedule they gave me a strange look and went looking for one. The bell that signals changing classes is accurate to the time schedule, but no one even notices when the bell goes off. Not even the lunch bell, in the U.S. everyone was packed up 5 minutes before the bell went off and was out the door while the bell was still ringing to get lunch. Here the kids stay seated and continue asking questions, even at the end of the day. It is a refreshing feeling as well to have students show a genuine interest in the subject matter, not that I have any experience teaching in a school in the states, but I certainly remember high school. 

Taylor understanding his brother's obsession with Cape Town

Taylor, Logan, Julian, Joe, Tom, Vernon

I have been hearing about South Africa for the past five or six years now from a Capetonian named Cuan and my Brother Jon. I heard so much of this city that every time my brother brought up the subject I rolled my eyes and tuned him out. Now, however, I am beginning to understand his obsession.

I spent the week before leaving for Cape Town in Colorado attempting to make my way back across the U.S. during a supposedly massive snowstorm on the East coast, shutting down many major airports. After rerouting my flight multiple times through multiple cities and spending the majority of my time on the phone with United Airlines trying to understand when they thought 12 AM was, I finally made it to Boston.  I then got on a plane for Cape Town and the morning after I arrived, glanced at the mountain in my back yard, and then jumped in a pool after waking up to 90-degree weather.

The first week was filled with a variety of fun and exciting things, much like a vacation, however we soon got to see the side of Cape Town that most tourists probably try to ignore. I have seen the pictures of the townships full of tin houses that appear to be all holding each other up despite the winds best effort to blow them over; however, seeing them in person and seeing the people living in these places is an experience like none other.

We are still getting used to our surroundings, but we will be getting into the swing of things soon, which for me includes teaching and going to work on a small bus with a man shouting out the window: “CAPE TOWN! You want to die, you come!” Needless to say, this is a very exciting experience. 

Taylor's been waiting for this...

I was very excited when I found out I was accepted into the Cape Town program.  Ever since my brother had gone and brought back pictures from the same program I have wanted to go. I am anticipating an experience different from a typical European study abroad trip.  I am looking forward to living with so many people in one house and going to school halfway around the world.