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| Sarah with Courtney Sampson from IEC & Vernon Rose, Study Abroad Cape Town Coordinator |
My
immediate response: laughter. How could I possibly sum it up!? And then,
lightheartedly, I managed to mutter, "All of it!" Thinking I was off
the hook of answering that loaded question, I relaxed. But my answer was
exactly what the asker didn't want to hear and he was waiting. It had been my
easy way out of really chatting, of opening up, of really reflecting. So I
took a moment, took a breath, and figured I'd better dive in.
My
second answer, probably spoken a bit too hesitantly, was "the
people." Well, I was asked to elaborate . . . "What about the
people?" This group of almost perfect strangers really cared to know about
my experience here.
In
that instant, I realized I'd known the answer all along. Our conversation was
just further proof. I rephrased myself quickly and confidently, "The
vibrancy of the people." Our one-minute conversation turned into two hours
quite quickly.
Yes,
I'm only 19 with a lot of places left to go and a lot of life left to live.,
but I have never experienced more hospitality than I have in Cape Town. And
from perfect strangers. There is something all at once infectious and graceful
about it . . . When I met my internship host, I wasn't welcomed into the
office. I was adopted as a child into the IEC family. When I chatted with a
stranger at a bus stop, it wasn't frivolous small talk. She missed four of her
buses to chat longer (we later met up for lunch). When I was lost with friends
walking to Die Strandloper, I wasn't offered a ride. A family refused to drive
further until we accepted a lift. When I was offered a true South African braai
"some other time," it wasn't an empty promise. We enjoyed some of the
best food I've had the very next weekend. When I hopped into a cab one morning,
I wasn't another stranger. I was someone to share a 45-minute personal
conversation with. When I was trying to sort out a place to stay, I
wasn't wished good luck. I was offered a bed from three different people. And
when I close up like a clam in conversation, I'm not left alone. I'm not even
asked to open up. I'm expected to share my thoughts as freely as others share
theirs.
I
cannot count the number of conversations I've found insanely casual! These
conversations I'm referring to take on topics that, in my experience,
many would struggle to discuss amongst close friends. Drug abuse,
suicidal attempts, living on the street, extreme racism, family loss . . . and
these are just the first that come to mind. In today's world, where people are
so constantly immersed in indirect communication through social media, where
concerns are high regarding political correctness, it's refreshing to here the
likes of, "I'm just me-I don't pretend. That word is not even in my
vocabulary. And why? It would take up too much time and energy . . ." or
"You know me today. You know me in three weeks. No point in wasting time politely
getting to know me . . . here I am!" While this has come from certain
individuals and not others, the generally frank, transparent, and laid back
attitudes I've encountered have enabled me to connect with a multitude of
amazing people. I wish I could soak up every bit of life advice I've been
so graciously offered in everyday conversation.
I
also feel extremely fortunate to have been in South Africa in the present era.
It has been 20 years since the end of apartheid and less than a year since Mandela's
death. The generation that lived through the struggle is very much alive. I
would have been content to hear tour guides speak at the different historical
sites we traveled to. But instead, I've heard history from those who've endured
it . . . At Robben Island, it is moving to listen to a former
political prisoner speak on his experience. It is incredible to be shown the
District Six Museum by a man removed from District Six as child under
apartheid's Group Areas Act. It is special to tour the Slave Lodge when your
tour guide speaks about her own ancestors. It is surreal to hear about the old
South Africa from professors, strangers, and colleagues who lived in it. In one
instance, I was sitting in a fancy hotel dinning room with two IEC staff members.
Both identified themselves as black and were complete strangers to me. As we
began chatting over lunch, they casually mentioned that 20 years ago they were
not even allowed through the entrance of the hotel, never mind the dinning
area. It really hit me then, sitting in the very room they were once restricted
from. As a white, young, American female-as a foreigner-even I would have been
allowed into that hotel 20 years ago. Having the opportunity to experience
living history has made my stay in South Africa profoundly personal-emotions on
the forefront.
 |
| Sarah with new and old friends at an evening of "Cultural Infusion" at the home of Marianna September. |
And,
let me say, the people of South Africa know how to dance, pastors and college
students alike. And sing, for that matter. And play phenomenal jazz. And
protest. As joked about by the locals, South Africans dance when they're happy
AND angry. I will be forever grateful for my evenings spent with a few
co-educators listening to jazz in Mariana's garage. A group of locals organized
an intuitive titled, "Bringing Jazz/Culture/Music to the Community."
There was something magical about taking the time to simply sit amongst friends
in a backyard as day waned into dusk. And then there was the passion, the
warmth, and the energy with which the local band played their jazz, the soul
with which the singers sang, and the heart with which the poets shared their
language.
 |
| Jen, Marianna September, & Sarah |
It's
funny. When I last spoke with my academic advisor before leaving for South
Africa, she exclaimed, "You're going to love it! The colors there will be
so vibrant!" We had been talking about clothing. And she was right. But
the colors of personalities and attitudes and peoples are what have made the
city come alive for me.
So
when I come home in another few days, if you ask about Cape Town, I will tell
you as much as you'd like to hear. I will try my very best to explain the city
and the scenery and my experiences. I will answer your question "What's
the one thing about Cape Town?" more readily now. I will tell you stories
as I have above. But to you they will be just that. I cannot recreate the magic
and warmth and love . . . the singing, dancing, hugs, laughs . . . Don't
be alarmed if I simply recommend you hop on the next plane to Cape Town. I'll
be saying it out of love for you, this city, and the vibrancy of its
people.
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