Tina's brand of adventure

With my time wrapping up in Cape Town, I can hands down say that many of my favorite activities occurred during a mini-excursion to Plattenburg. When looking at the itinerary: caving, cheetah exhibit, ostrich farm, tubing, elephant sanctuary, I was hesitant about not knowing exactly what to expect; however, in hindsight that was the best position to be in. Not knowing what to expect or having a set schedule made it truly feel like a vacation, and a much needed one after the hectic schedules that have not slowed down since we stepped off the plane 

Byron, one of our drivers, for Jessica, Morgan, Melanie, Courtney, Sarah and myself, was one of the best parts of the weekend. He was beyond lovely and had a dry, raging sense of humor that I adored. We listened to gospel musical, and once we all began to memorize the songs he was listening to (check out “Come and Let Us Sing”) we began to listen to Madonna and Kenny Rogers cd’s, he talked to us about Cape Town, sang and danced for pretty much every single car ride, took pictures of us and with us (which hopefully he will send to Jessica and me soon) and genuinely looked out for our well-being. Saying goodbye to him, strangely enough, was one of the bittersweet moments of this trip. I wish that I had the opportunity to make more genuine connections like that, and wish that I was able to meet Byron earlier on so we could have duetted more and created new dance routines. After exchanging numbers with him and going back and forth giving Jessica and me hugs and well-wishes, Byron became a guide for how I want to live my life: singing and dancing like no one is watching, having a wicked sense of humor, and being an all around great, compassionate individual.

           

That weekend, many unexpected things happened. For one, I sat on an ostrich! While a lot of people here are hiking Table Mountain, bungee jumping, paragliding, and skydiving, I do not have the need for an adrenaline rush nor do I consider myself to be an adventurous person, so sitting on the ostrich (and even tubing) was my version of these insurgent activities. 

Tubing was also another unexpected athletic role I was put in. After being dropped of on the top of a hill, wearing our wetsuits, lifejackets, helmets, flip flops, while carrying our tubes, we had to climb down this steep hill and then once in the water had to tread the water since there were no rapids.  I wish there was a camera filming me because I could only imagine how ridiculous I looked. Everyone who went on the trip should feel fortunate to have seen me in that dumbfounded able-bodied state, because let me tell you, it’s rare.

           

Perhaps the best thing I did all weekend though was going to the elephant sanctuary. One of my mother’s wishes and commands for me coming to Cape Town was to touch an elephant, so that was all in honor of her! Being able to feed the elephants, and having one mistaking my camera for an apple and sucking it up in its trunk, leaving its mucus or god-knows-what all over my camera, was definitely a highlight. Knowing that opportunity is so rare and could not happen in the states is what also made it even more special—it is not everyday one has to dodge elephant poop or gets hit with the powerful force of an elephants truck. For anyone reading this that has not been, Plattenberg needs to be checked off from their must-see places. 

Tina's excursion experiences

This past week was a much-needed break from my routine, which has become internships, classes and trivia. I was excited to go to Johannesburg and go to a place I probably would never have the opportunity to go to otherwise.  I instantly liked the city as we were driving through on our coach bus, seeing the metropolis vibes and mixture of city and greenery.  I did not realize how much I missed being in a city and having access to so many different attractions, restaurants, and sites. It made me think back to Storrs and to what exactly I do to occupy my time in the middle of nowhere back home, and how I desperately want to go to New York, or really any major city, once I get back.  

During excursion, I had potentially one of the best meals I have eaten in South Africa at a restaurant called Coobs, and I won 60 rand on a video bingo machine called “Glitzy Kitty.” I bartered for souvenirs and played with cooked chicken feet at a traditional South African restaurant. I was excited to go to all the different museums and to have a schedule, and to just be a tourist.  It was a refreshing change of pace.

I would say that the Apartheid museum was my favorite attraction in Johannesburg. I was surprised by the amount of information within the museum, and was taken aback by how long it would actually take to go through it in its entirety. I wish we had the opportunity to spend more time there, because even being there for two hours left much to be desired.  I thought it was a really beautiful museum, laid out very clearly and effectively, which made reading for information pleasurable and made me want to continue on.

I have to say, hands down, my ultimate favorite experience, perhaps on the entire trip, was going to Kruger. Having done an evening, early morning, and night game drive, I was able to experience utterly different animals, temperatures and overall moments; each proved to be wildly entertaining. I could have honestly spent weeks just doing tours because each time provided a totally different experience. By the last drive, I mastered being able to stand and take pictures while the car was in motion, learn what setting of my camera to use for what animals and what time of day, and where to sit to get the best pictures and overall safari experience. Although I did see leopards, lions, and hyenas the most, it was also really great seeing zebras, elephants, giraffes, and rhinos sporadically. It was unreal being so close to the animals and seeing them interact in their natural habitats. Throughout the trip, I had to remind myself that I was in Africa and that these animals could attack me at any point in time for encroaching on their space; it was the real deal. It definitely was one of the coolest things I think I’ll do in my lifetime, and I hope one day to be able to experience it again, with my friends and family.

Tina excited about activist project

Multipurpose room at Elonwabeni

For my activist project, Manuela, Kiya, Val, Ava and I decided to volunteer our time at Elonwabeni Child & Family Centre. During orientation, we spent two days touring and viewing the different internship placements to better understand where our cohorts would be working and to gain a better understanding of what they may be doing. Elonwabeni was one of the placements that stuck out in my mind for its distressing nature. The children in this centre have either been abused, physically or sexually, or their parents may not be able to properly care for them due to alcohol, drugs, what have you.  During our tour, we heard about the struggles of the children from this tiny room, which seemed to have the function of acting as a closet and holding a bunch of random things like tables, chairs, brooms, etc. When getting a further tour of the premises, it was difficult seeing how little the children had and how many children needed the services the centre provides. There is no privacy, and there is no space for anyone to go and be by themselves. For this reason, we intend to repurpose the room as a space for the older kids to go and hangout, do homework, have their friends over, and make it a safe-space for them to get away from the chaos they have to deal with.

Last Friday, we went to the centre to interview the older girls in order to see what exactly they wanted from the space to make sure that we could help bring their vision to life. The mundaneness of the answers is what shocked me the most; these girls just want nail polish, cd’s, hair supplies, and makeup to occupy their time. They even showed an interest in painting and designing a color scheme. At the heart of it, the girls are just trying to live as conventional of a life as possible. While we were with them, we also got to know them better, on a more personal level. We talked to one girl about how she does not want to go to an all girls high school, and another about how she platted her hair. At one point, I took out my phone to take pictures of the room in order to be able to have evidence as to how the room looked before we started the project, and all the girls ran over asking to take their picture. After having a mini-photo-shoot, they were beaming looking at the photos of themselves. They all began to chime in on which wall they wanted what picture and commented on how silly some of our poses were.

 

Tina with some new friends

Having fun

Although at surface value, this project may just seem as though we are redecorating a room, it is so much more than that. The hope is that this space will become a haven of sorts, a place where the girls can just be kids and act their age. To see the look on their faces when asking them what do you want to see in this room was so incredibly validating. It showed the intent of the project, which is to give back to the community and have a lasting impact, which we expect to do through this space. To try and put myself in their shoes is something I struggle with, so I can only imagine how much this idea of having a place of their own means to them, and once it is a reality how it will ultimately alter the way they go about their daily lives.

Tina on the strong foundation she has in human rights and national pride

This past weekend, our UCONN clan, as well as thirty or so participants who are involved with an organization called Africa Unite, went to Goedgedacht, an olive farm north of Cape Town for a human rights workshop. The venue itself was stunning, with quaint little cottages placed within rolling pastures and hills. From the beginning of the trip, even while back in the States, human rights weekend was something that was discussed and hyped about; for that reason, I went into it thinking I had no expectations, but in the back of my mind, I think I was expecting something very life-changing.  

Although I would not say the experience was life-changing, I think that what occurred on the farm was certainly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Being a human rights minor, I have been familiar with the idea of social justice and the conversations around the concepts of cultural relativism and universalism. I’m fortunate that UCONN has provided me with a great foundation and framework within the human rights realm, because I found practically all of what we discussed at the weekend to be familiar and known concepts, ones which I have already spent much time contemplating.

Maria, Tina, & David

If I could have any qualm about the weekend, I would say that I wish we took the concepts and theories that we discussed a step further. What I love about human rights, and find to be so distinct to other classes or discussions, is that the discourse can be morphed into numerous different maters, and that it is interconnected to so many other factors within our own lives. Everything is impacted by human rights, whether or not we acknowledge that, so I think to recognize the ideas of privilege, race, gender, sexuality and see how they impact not only ourselves on a personal level, but a communal one as well, is vital to understanding how the world itself runs. Throughout human rights discourse, the idea of the individual and community are vital to spreading the word about the fundamental rights we have as humans, and ensuring we all have fair and equal treatment and access to these bylaws. All the participants went into that weekend with a unique perspective and lens, and I wish we had a chance to highlight that more and share our personal views and stories, for the sole purpose of bringing that information back to our respective communities.

Tina (second from left)  demonstrating some dance steps

For me, what was so rewarding about this weekend was getting to know people who not only live in Cape Town, but countries like Tanzania and Zimbabwe. I was able to learn a traditional South African dance, talk with a married woman who is not much older than myself about her cultural practices, and got to make connections with people that I know I would never have the opportunity to meet otherwise. To hear some of their stories firsthand was quite eye-opening not only in terms of human rights, but also the privileges I have as an American. Coming abroad has made me realize how proud I am of America and to be an American, and how fortunate I am to live in such a free place. Even while we were going around and listening to all of the national anthems of the countries that were present, I felt immense pride in hearing America’s anthem, one that I have heard hundreds of times throughout my life. This time something was different; the words were truly starting to jump out at me and I felt a sense of joy and pride on a visceral level. Being in another country, and granted the opportunity to reflect on my own culture, I realized how blessed I am and how fortuitous of a nation America is. Although, America has its own issues that need to be worked out, on a general level, we have so many liberties that I personally take for granted. Being in South Africa has made me see a different side on the topics of education, crime, drugs, poverty, abortion, homosexuality, and so many other issues, and makes me appreciate the ways things are back in the States. If anything, this weekend was enlightening in terms of making me think differently about things I already have a strong foundation about, whether that be my minor or my country.

Tina receiving her Africa Unite Human Rights Training Certificate from Ntombi Mcoyi

Tina believes we are all not so different as it may appear

When announced that we would be spending the weekend in Ocean View, I had no idea what to expect and promised myself I would make no presumptions. Although we were told not to have an “American expectation” when visiting the homes, it did not even cross my mind that I would have one going into this experience. I do not even think I know what an American experience would look like, due to the subjective nature of that phrase; I’m inferring it meant a very exorbitant lifestyle and the opposite of humble means. Nonetheless, I was surprised by what I experienced in Ocean View, and the normalcy of it all—the people, the homes and the conversation.

While in Cape Town, I have done my best to appreciate everything for what it is and have tried not to taint my experiences by juxtaposing everything I do and see to what I am used to. I think at times it is helpful or interesting to see comparisons or distinctions between my home and Cape Town, but I try not to look through an American lens, but rather a global one, attempting to gain a better understanding of others to further enrich myself and see how I fit as an actor on the world stage. I think this weekend provided me with the perfect opportunity to use my global lens to experience an utterly different life.

My host family was amazing, and I can't picture spending my weekend any other way. My Auntie Bernie and Uncle Ivan were some of the kindest, warmest, most sincere, hardworking, funny people I have had the pleasure of meeting in South Africa. They have an incredibly smart and sassy nine-year-old daughter named Aimee and a fourteen-year-old son named Robin. This weekend was all about expanding my comfort zone and global gaze, which is exactly what I did. I talked to and lived amongst a family I probably would have never met, I ate mayonnaise, talked about my Americanness in ways I never had to before, and grew to appreciate my life at home even more so.

Jessica & Tina with their host family

Beforehand, I was nervous my family and I would have little to talk about or that I would be grilled the entire weekend and seen as this foreign figure, but I was happily surprised by the naturalness of it all and the amount of connections we had. I was shocked by how at home I felt and the wontedness of a stranger’s house. My family had a beautiful remodeled kitchen, in which my Auntie whipped up three-course meals with effortless ease; they had a lovely living room where my Uncle and Robin watched soccer games, and a tablet in which Aimee streamed Bruno Mars videos on YouTube. We exchanged Facebook names, went to a birthday party and to the beach, watched “Chopped” and discussed the ways in which Apartheid, matric, and Ocean View impacted my host family’s life. Everything seemed very customary to what would happen in my family—we were truly living amongst this family’s typical conduct.

I feel like throughout a lot of the experiences I have had thus far, I have been informed to not expect similarities, but rather extreme distinctions. I find that the more time I spend in Cape Town, the more I do and the more people that I talk to, that I realize this place is not really so much different from home. Sure, the weather is balmy and there is no New England charm anywhere, but I find myself acting and engaging as I would back in the States. This weekend reaffirmed for me that on a fundamental level, we are all people, just trying to be the best we can be. Although we may have Facebook, food, or One Direction as a starting point for a connection or conversation, it is the little things that are the tipping point in terms of our interconnectivity. We are all not so different as it may appear.

Tina appreciating the people of Cape Town

Tina

After being in Cape Town for nearly three weeks, I realized that I have been looking at this program very one-dimensionally; by that I mean, when I decided to come to Cape Town, I was coming for the scenery, the classes and the internship aspect, but I realized that this is not what the trip has turned out to be like. I cannot begin to describe how my mentality is shifting after realizing that the people here are truly what makes Cape Town, in my eyes, flourish. I’m starting to realize that to compare this program to other ones people may be on, whether that be in any location, is detrimental to my overall experience due to the fact that my experience here is so unique.  Although it is difficult to see photographs and hear of my friends exploring Europe and Australia, and even the United States living about their daily lives, I need to remember that those experiences are ones that I can have at any point in my life, while my adventure here is honestly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

I have already experienced so many things that I know are fleeting, in terms of probability of them occurring again. For instance, going to the Baptist Church was one of the most inspiring, humbling, emotional and spiritual moments I ever had the pleasure of taking part in. The sense of community I felt, with a room full of strangers, was something I never had the privilege of partaking in, and frankly something I could only believe on a superficial level. In the past, I had only experienced connections within communities well established in my life, with my family and friends, so to go into the church being a newcomer and leaving as a valued component to the mass was overwhelming. I felt valued and respected, not for any mere reason other than that I am a human being, and I never really experienced something so authentic before.

The energy in that room was genuine, and the words, hymns and songs that people expressed were ones of sincere gratitude and celebration.  People were sincerely grateful to have woken up that day and used that as the inspiration to praise God.  That struck a chord with me, perhaps due to the fact that I tend to take getting up everyday for granted, and for the first time, in quite a long time, I understood the desire to want to go to church and give thanks. The zest of those around me was contagious, and it was the first time I have truly felt at home here. I wasn’t expecting to have such a profound experience that day; nevertheless, that experience has already had such a strong impact on me. Although I am aware of how privileged I am, being in a room full of people who face daily struggles to provide water, clothing, shelter, food and income for their families, really put things in to perspective for me.   

With that said, I am proud of who I am and all that I have access to, my work ethic, drive, motivation, and passion. I also find it comforting and just that I am making the most of the opportunities given to me, and am challenging myself to be the best person I can be. I find it to be difficult dealing with the concept of privilege because it is a double-edged sword, something that I am immensely proud to have, while also, at times, I can’t help but feel culpable for taking advantage of having three meals a day, clean water, shoes, a high-quality education, and my health, security and shelter. When I do get in that stupor, I tend to think this is why I came to Cape Town; I came for an unconventional study abroad experience, and the opportunity to grow, and I am doing that. I’m slowly beginning to realize that the people, their warmth and strength, are what make this program special, and that is why Cape Town, in general, is becoming one of the most alluring places to visit.