Friday, Sept. 10, 2004

week two

so, today in class, my professor casually mentioned a lecture at UCT this evening about the black consciousness movement and steve biko. not knowing much about the subject, i decided to go with a few other people. when we got there, we noticed this huge crowd surrounding the building and a huge line to get in, and even seats and a big screen set up outside . . . and i just remember thinking, geez, this never happens at AU for some little lecture like this . . . the only time we had this many people was when we brought in a former president . . .

right.

so, i was under the impression that Nelson Mandela, being 86 years old, was in hiding until he died. but i think he always does this, says he is leaving the public life only to come back every once in a while. and this time, i got to see him. i still can hardly believe that, not only am i in freaking africa, but now i can say i saw nelson mandela speak while there!!

on sunday i am leaving for a week-long homestay in the black township of Langa. i visited here earlier this week. some experiences just leave you without anything to say. i guess there is a time where you just have to stop analyzing and asking, what does this mean? you just have to take it as it is.

some of the townships, the "informal settlements," not where i will be going, were just some of hte most depressing places i have ever seen. just miles and miles of tiny shacks, no larger than 5-10 square feet of dilapadated scraps of wood and metal and plastic, all built up so close together, there is only inches of space in between. the people who come here from mozamabique and the DRC, and i guess feel life is so much better here because they have water that is drinkable and toilets for every four families.

sunday i am also going to the cape of good hope and i can't wait! there are penguins and zebras and babboons and, yeah!

uh . . so i hope everyone is having a good semester and i'll talk to you soon! i love you kevin!