First Official Day

Well, we hit the ground running for our first official day in Johannesburg. We met for breakfast at 8:15, and then headed to meet with Ahmed Kathrada at 9:30. Driving to the meeting was our first chance to see the city since we arrived so late last night. During our 30 minute bus ride, our guide, Jonas, pointed out many things along the way: soccer stadiums, schools, our first glimpse of Soweto, and old mining remnants as he told us some history about the city. Jack was interested to learn that we were driving on the waste from the old mines, including rocks, sand and even gold. We arrived at 10:30 to meet with Kathrada, a fellow prison mate of Nelson Mandela. He starterd by showing us a video about his time on Robben Island and then turned the floor over to us. The group asked some very thought provoking questions, helping us learn more about his imprisonment and hope for the future of equality in South Africa. He was very open, humorous and genuine. After about 2 hours, and a whole new understanding of Robben Island and Kathrada's struggles, we headed out to see Soweto (South West Township). The bus was silent as we drove in and were consumed with our first sites of extreme poverty. We pulled over to an area, with hundreds of shacks, and met with Googoo, a women who lives here with her husband and 2 daughters. The boys could not stop talking about her energy and how proud she was of her home. She gave us tours in groups of six because we could not all fit at once. Evan commented that this was his most humbling experience of the day, reflecting on her positive spirit, despite not having everything we have. John agreed, commenting about how it really made him think about what people need in life to make them happy. We then headed off to see where Desmond Tutu and Mandela lived in Soweto and to stop for lunch. On the way, we stopped to see Mandela murals by a church. While there, we started talking to a group of 10- 12 year old students, who wanted to show us their best dance moves, in an attempt to teach us. Edson and Nick attempted, but we couldn't compete with the locals. Jack and Edson said this was their favorite part of the day--an impromptu visit with school children, who seemed happy to welcome us in to their world. We then ate lunch, where a few were brave enough to try cow intestines and no one got sick! Then, we were off to the Apartheid Museum. The images here were so powerful. Sohum said he was struck immediately by a Mandela quote when we first walked in: "To be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others." After the museum closed, we came back for dinner, where exotic food was again the choice for a few brave ones: kudu, which is a type of gazelle and ostrich--and they seem to enjoy it. We had a great reflection with the group tonight, where they shared their thoughts about everything we experienced today. We are now off to get some much needed rest before a day at the Lesedi Cultural Village tomorrow. Our guide said we better be ready to learn some traditional dancing! Wish us luck, and, as always, GO BELLS!!