Yesterday, I traveled into several different townships in Cape Town. One of stops was Khayelitsha, roughly 20 minutes from the city center. We made a stop at Vicky’s Bed and Breakfast, aptly titled “South Africa’s smallest hotel” as it has room for only 12 visitors. Realizing It was located in the middle of a township, I immediately thought It would be a great idea to stay. I was able to spend 2 days in the township, which, without a doubt, was the best time during my trip. I bought a bus ticket to Windhoek, Namibia a day before I arrived at Vicky’s and would have stayed longer if I never made the purchase.
I could have traveled to Cape Town, spent a few days at the waterfront, by the pretty beaches with gorgeous weather — especially for winter. But what will I learn about myself or about S. Africa without living like a “local” (I hate the word, but I’m not sure what else would take it’s place). The next two days I spent roaming the streets with Viwe and Solomon, whom I was put into contact with by Vicky, spending R2 eating the biggest oranges I have ever seen, buying lamb and liver and having it cooked on the street inside of deteriorated buildings lit by one flickering bulb, and walking — with so real destination, just to met new people and examine the area.
These two days broke so many stereotypes that most Americans succumb to. I never felt out of place even though I saw zero whites and despite the fact I was just dropped into a different environment I never felt more in place. I didn’t feel nervous or uneasy.
I have spent time reading stories in papers like the NY Times, which is one of few US media organizations that covers news in S. Africa — but time and time again it’s always about crime and poverty. Unfortunately when people become so inundated with such coverage they forget that crime and poverty effects every nation.
Africans are much more educated on American then we are on Africa. We are spoiled, naïve, and ignorant (I won’t go back to the whole animal thing again). There are 6 or 7 billion people in the world and it is very important that we are informed about more than just the 275 million people that live in the US.
It’s not, that by any means I am “anti-US,” but why, like most of the tourists I met in Cape Town would I travel to the beach. What do I get out of that? How do I grow? How do I change?
Being in Khayelitsha impacted me more than anything else ever had. I met some beautiful, amazing people and hopefully it will be the first of many trips back to Cape Town (and S. Africa).
I have so many photos from Khayelitsha that it wouldn’t be effective to just drop them all together.
Below are some photos from when Viwe, Solomon and I went out to eat lamb, followed by some photos during the time I spent with David, and finally photos from all around Khayelitsha.
Eating with Viwe and Solomon:
One of the most important things, and rightfully so, is learning to live as the natives of a country do when you go to visit. Sure, if you’re going just to “tour” you could go to the tourist attractions, but like you said…what would you learn? You’re not truly going to experience the culture if you don’t immerse yourself in it. And I believe that food is one very important aspect to a culture. It’s says a lot about the people and the place. I won’t go into too much detail, but if you think about what the signature foods are for a country you get a glimpse of what life is like. From the climate (and what a country can actually harvest) to what is most economically feasible for the country. To how it’s prepared and presented…
Now I’m hungry…
On a sidenote, over 300 million people inhabit the United States (http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html). You know I had to nitpick…
It is nice to see that you are having an experience (or experiences) that shed light on your life and will help shape who you are and who you continue to be in life.
I am an American and proud of it, but I don’t feel I am an ignorant American, by any means. I try to practice and teach my students that we are all, throughout the world, human beings. And it is that simple, isn’t it?
The photos continue to be amazing and tell stories from your point of view or allow the viewer to use his or her own imagination.
Thanks, I am proud of you.