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Jody Graham's Summary:
I’ll begin by saying that this was the best experience I’ve had in my life. I’ve gone on wonderful vacations out of the country before, but none of them had an impact on me like this one. This trip will open your eyes in many ways, and you’ll come back to your everyday lives hoping that someday you can return to Africa. Not only do you learn a lot about death and dying, you will learn a lot about South African culture, and yourself.
The trip was filled with plans from the first day we were there until the last day. We spent the first two weeks in Cape Town, which is why you should bring at least one heavy jacket because the wind is STRONG and it can be freezing cold! Cape Town is a bigger city than I had expected; the downtown area reminded me of our own in Los Angeles. The difference is, you drive 10-15 minutes out of that downtown area and you reach the incredibly poor townships. The townships were not what I had expected either; they are vast communities of shacks that are so close together it is sometimes difficult to tell where one ends and another begins. I’ve heard and read about these townships, but it is difficult to understand the magnitude of poverty until you see if first hand. What really gets to me, though, is that no matter how poor these people are, they are extremely welcoming and friendly, and they always greet you with wonderful smiles on their faces. The children are sweet as can be, and they are also very talented in singing and dancing. A large population of these amazing people and children are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS, and it is heart wrenching to realize the hardships that they face everyday.
Honestly, I didn’t come into this trip knowing much about the history of South Africa; but, I learned A LOT about it while being there. It is a very sad history, but understanding it will allow you to gain more appreciation for the people who lived through it. Though I learned a lot of South Africa’s history in Cape Town, the museums in Johannesburg really made it sink in. The Apartheid Museum is unbelievable, and sad. There is much to say about it; unfortunately, hearing about it won’t affect you the same way that seeing it does.
Another awesome experience was staying a night at the Buddhist Temple. It is BEAUTIFUL! It was like being in Asia, but in Africa! The food is all vegetarian- TRY IT! Most of it was delicious (I think there was only one thing I didn’t “care for”). Also, meals are eaten in silence, which is a little awkward, but also quite nice. The next morning, we woke up to see the temple at sunrise, and its golden glow was an amazing sight!
The best day I experienced in South Africa was our visit to Youth with a Vision in Dennilton. We helped plant trees in their garden, had the best lunch EVER, and then we became an audience for the performers. It was remarkable to hear these children and teens perform poems, songs, and dances that reflect their thinking and way of life. Then we got to play! We handed out some of the games and supplies that we had brought with us, and everyone loved it. We had beachballs flying around, yo-yo trainings, and ukulele lessons (from Dr. Roberts). I can’t forget how interested they all were in taking pictures. Not only did they want to be in pictures with you, but they like to actually take the pictures as well. They really enjoyed that, so bring an extra memory card and battery if you have one because you’ll take a lot of photos!
The last event I have to mention is the safari. Who can say they’ve been on a real African safari?! Well, I can, and it was awesome! We saw four of the Big Five, and so much more! A herd of 15 elephants, including a three week old baby, crossed right in front of us! Impalas, giraffes, and herds of zebra were found left and right. We would see the vultures flying up above and learn that a lion had just made a kill. Some of us even passed a wandering hyena with a giraffe skin in its mouth! Being an animal lover, some of this made me sad, but it makes you understand the circle of life, and to be in that completely wild and natural environment was an experience I might never have again!
Wherever you are in South Africa, take at least a couple nights to go out on the town, and a couple days to go shopping in the markets. Our tour guide, Luke Angel, showed us around, and he’ll take you to some really cool places. (You will also learn a lot about the culture from him.) The shopping is amazing; the art is full of color and feeling. I bought A LOT of stuff, but I was still able to fit it in my bags for the flight home (though others had some trouble with this)! The bars are really fun and you can dance at most of them, so bring clothes and shoes to go out in! We had some really great times out on Long Street in Cape Town, and at Cool Runnings in Johannesburg! Also, talk to the locals; you’ll probably learn something new whether it’s a word in Afrikaans or a secret handshake, it’s something you can take back with you! But BE SAFE! Always go in groups, and watch your drinks and your purses carefully (just like you should here)!
As far as the class-time portion goes, I’d recommend doing some of the readings and taking notes on them before you leave. It gets to be really time consuming once you are there, and the full days often leave you tired which makes it hard to read! We had some great discussions, and I learned a lot about death and bereavement, which definitely applies to the entire trip!
Overall, this trip was a life-changing experience that I will never forget. It inspired me. It opened my mind and my heart. The South African people and children have made me want to be a better person, and I so desperately want to help improve their way of life in any way that I can. My only regret is that we couldn’t stay there longer; this trip was just a taste of a different world that I had not yet known. Not only did I learn so much about the South African culture and its history, but I learned so much about myself. I made friends who I will share this experience with for a lifetime. I was nervous about going on this trip at first; I didn’t know anyone else, and I had never been away from home for that long. I can’t stress enough how glad I am for going through with it, and I want to go back ASAP! It’s a long plane ride, but completely worth it!