Things have been a bit more enjoyable, as I've taken several tours in the last few days and have enjoyed company and conversation with fellow travelers. Yesterday was an all-day trip down the cape, the highlights of which were a visit to Boulders Beach to see the African penguins, and of course a visit to Cape Point/Cape of Good Hope, the southernmost point of the continent of Africa.
Sunday morning I visited three of the townships on the outskirts of Cape Town. Although Apartheid has been abolished, the black/white situation here is very interesting, disturbing and affecting. Here in Cape Town you're white, black or what they call "colored". They also use the word Muslim to identify Asians. Most of the black and "colored" populations live in huge townships/shantytowns on the outskirts of all the large cities. They are made up of government housing, and more commonly, pieced together homes of wood, corrugated tin, tar paper and the like. The government housing has water, but most people in the shantys go to a community tap, and to the nearby block of toilets. Unemployment in this country hovers near 40%. People can't escape the townships w/o a job; and there's none to be found. It's such a different racial environment here compared to Tanzania. I have to say, I much prefer the latter.
Yesterday I finally got to Robben Island, the prison where Nelson Madela, as well as other political prisoners, were held from the 1960s until the early 90s. The second part of the tour (in the jail section) is guided by a former political prisoner. "Sparks" was imprisoned in 1983 at age 17 for his actions within the ANC. He's a lovely man, and it was absolutely riveting to hear of his life before, during and after his imprisonment.
All in all, this has been a good escape, but I'm missing my friends and children in Tanzania. Will post again when I'm back in Mwanza.
4 comments:
I am sooo excited to sit down with you when you get back and just ask you a million questions! I'm sure everyone else is, too! We'll have to schedule a "town hall" style meeting at which we can have a Q&A session!
And who would have thought undies would be such a hot ticket!
Hello Lorna! Sounds like we barely missed each other in Cape Town. Nicola told me she told you to look for me. I had a fabulous time. Looks like you did most of what I did. I missed the township tour and Robbin Island (2 wk wait list). I loved the Cape Point the best...amazing! Did you do the path to the lighthouse? Anyhow, I did the safari in Kwa Zulu Natal at Zulu Nyala. It's near Hluhluwe. Absolutely an awesome experience. Email me if you need any help or advise from my travels. Be safe and enjoy the time. I miss SA already...Paula
Hey there Lorna! It continues to sound amazing. I can't wait till you return to share the pictures and stories. Steer clear of anymore illness would ya? Take care and love every moment for me too. Tim & the boyz
Hi Lorna from Varlyn and Jane, I finally had time to check out your blog again. We are over the big projects of settling into our home here in Indio and it has been work, but fun also.
The babies in Portland arrived on 3/24th-Carter and Rowan. They were both just under 5 lbs so will be in the iCU awhile, but are making progress. And that's the biggest news from us, of course!
Post a Comment