Sanibona! (Hello in Zulu)
{Soweto}
After a day and a half of traveling we finally arrived
[safely] to Johannesburg. We got off the plane in a zombie-like stupor from lack of sleep
and jet lag, Our Friday morning continued with a tour of Soweto, an area located inside of Johannesburg. We took a bus and the tour guide pointed out
everything in the city. From famous buildings, the biggest hospital in the world,
the slums and very impoverished areas, and one of Nelson Mandela's homes. This was the first time I had ever been a minority. It was composed mainly of black people and colored people (mixed with
black and white). If that wasn't weird enough, we were driving on the other
side of the road and every directional sign has been converted into the metric
system, Even though I have only been here for
four days (give or take) I have not experienced the culture shock everyone
warns you about. I don’t know if it is because I already was expecting to see a lot of poverty or because I truly hate American materialism that
seeing people literally have nothing while still being joyful, was not surprising. These are textbook outcomes. The people were friendly, everyone waved us. Both with a
mixture of excitement because we were Americans, and also because we are
Americans so we’re automatically rich.
{Pietermaritzburg}
We got to the campus on Friday night. Had a relaxing weekend filled with exploring, mall runs, and visiting a local church. Monday we started classes. My class schedule is pretty intense. I have classes all day, and they each last AT LEAST 3 hours each. The reason is because we have 6 weeks to cram our credit hours to match a normal 14 week semester. I am taking the language class, so I am learning Zulu and I will be taking that class for 10 weeks. I'm super excited to be taking the courses I am because it's very hands on. We get to discuss it in the classroom then go on a hike or go visit a historical place so we can experience and get a better understanding of the country we're living in.
Salani kahle!
(Stay well)
Also, here are some photos.
This is the product of jet lag and insomnia. My first African sunrise from my top bunk.
This is a bridge that is right above one of the many waterfalls located all around my campus
This is the view looking at the valley from the bridge, this my "backyard". This picture doesn't even do it justice.
Here is the waterfall. It currently is my favorite place to sit. I find an incredible amount of peace sitting at the top or bottom of it. The water is so clear and the sand is red. I'm here a lot.
This is the water, it's completely clear.
Until next time friends!
Peace be the journey.
