J-Term Diaries: Rodney Nelson

Alright, so the last couple of days have been very hectic and busy. When I look back at this past week I can honestly say that it has been a wonderful experience. Monday and Tuesday were the business days, Wednesday was the day out of the office, and Thursday was the vacation. The reason  I labeled those days such was because it suits the theme for those days. Monday and Tuesday were our school lecture days where went to Wits University in JoBurg and had lectures sessions led by some of the finest professors and scholars South Africa has to offer.  We  discussed topics  such as gender  relations,  race relations,  issues  with youth at risk in S. Africa, gender based violence, and responsibilities in South Africa. These were very intriguing topics explained by these esteemed lecturers. Wednesday was the day "out of the office", because we visited a city called Katlehong. In this enormously flat city, we visited people's homes, saw traditional healers, visited a primary school called Pheasant Folly School and visited an AIDS orphanage known as Katha Day Care Center.  These were  all very interesting sites, but my personal favorite was the primary school which was having a special event for the school's fastest student... before they met ME! Thursday was our little vacation I would say because we went on a "little" safari in Pilanesburg, which is a huge designated park for wildlife. Before we got there we stopped at a The Lion Park, which had baby to teenage lions that we could pet. Not I,  did not get in the cages with the "baby" lions, but the rest of my classmates did. It was quite an experience nonetheless. At the main wildlife park, we were not allowed outside the safe-haven of the trucks we were in because these were actual WILD animals. The only real problem I faced was that of the African sun. It was blazing at times and cool others. I saw every animal in Africa except  for  a lion  because it was even too  hot for them to be out! But after all, I got great pictures of the animals and had an overall great experience on the safari. It was just as I had imagined the openness and vastness of the environment.

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I know, I know... I have not been blogging much lately. But thats only because I've been taking in so much these past 5 days! When we first arrived in JoBurg, short for Johannesburg, I could smell the difference in our environments(there's was cleaner!!) Really it was an immediate change from culture, to people, to fashion, to style, to tradition, even to driving on different sides of the road. But it has been an experience so far that I have cherished and embraced gratefully. We have been very busy visiting many historical sites and venues in the various South African townships. We have eaten at an Ethiopian, Indian,Greek, pizza, and traditional American restaurants, respectively. All which served exceptional food might I add. We have visited townships, which are various areas in JoBurg, such as Alexandra and Soweto( which literally stands for Southwest township). Here we were able to experience areas that are tremendously hard to witness and explain because of it's hardship and poverty which were seen throughout both. These areas themselves immediately made me value the things that I do possess and not focus on materialistic objects. these were both eye-opening realities that I have never witnessed first hand. I wish I had more time to tell you the many other things that we have experienced, but that will have to wait until next time, which will be soon I promise.

P.S. Mom, I am fine!

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This has to be one of the most exciting moments in my entire life! I have been blessed with this great, once in a lifetime experience of traveling to South Africa. Tomorrow is the day we take off for this enriching experience. I thank God for giving me this opportunity and the ability to share my endeavors with everyone. I cannot wait to get into the country itself, not the extremely long plain ride!

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Hey wuzup everybody, the countdown is on and the day is soon to be here! I am looking forward to this experience... especially the 16 hour plane ride! I am also looking forward to telling you all about my escapade in South Africa!

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