To give you a quick update, the Farm was an interesting experience where we got to do a lot of really interesting things. We were able to get up close and personal with the cultural differences between us and traditional Afrikaans farmers. We shore sheep, learned to shoot, and even got to climb one of the mountains on their property. That was pretty amazing.
That right there is a picture of the mountain we climbed. Pretty cool huh? We also got to go on a canoeing trip down to a waterfall. A few of us swam which was a bit of a bad idea considering the water was maybe two degrees colder than solid ice. But never the less, we did it! We lived! I'll try to see if we can get some pictures of that up, but the water was so cold that not many of us got great shots. That happens when you're shivering.
As for today, we are hanging out and catching up on work and interviews while we can. Both the Apartheid group and Nycea's financial aid documentary are in interviews for their docs that seem to be going very well. I can say that because Nycea's interview is actually being conducted about ten feet away from me. They seem like they're nailing it. The conservation crew returned to SAMREC for some b-roll on the penguin feedings and to visit Tungie again. I myself sit here, typing as furiously as I can to catch everyone up on our amazing adventures.
It has truly been a whirlwind. It's unbelievable to think that we're only a week away from home. And I haven't even told you about our morning yet.
This morning before we came to NMMU to wrap up some work, we took a tour of the Walmer Township with Glinda, the woman who heads the Walmer Township Angels Project which works with a multitude of organizations in attempts to revitalize and build up one of the poorest communities in Port Elizabeth. We went with her to several day cares, touring the facilities the children stayed in and getting to play with and interact with them.
This has easily been one of the most eye-opening experiences of the trip so far. It was unbelievable to see the way that the people in these communities lived. Glinda told us about her projects most recent focus, bringing actual functioning toilets into the township, and showed us where the children in day care used to go to the bathroom. It was a shambly piece of wood over a bucket. The buildings in the township alone were barely held together, pieces of tin making up most of the walls, and houses with rocks on top of them to hold the roof on. It was unbelievable.
But all of the children we met were amazing. They skipped rope, played soccer with us, hugged and climbed on us and our professors. They were so genuinely excited to see us and play with us that we couldn't help but love them.
It reminded me of our social work lecture at the beginning of our trip from Ms. Natalie Mansvelt. She stressed the fact that even though these people in these townships are living under ridiculous conditions, they're still people. Their lives are of no less value. We should help in any way we can, but they aren't all walking around in misery. They were just happy to have someone new to play with. It made all of us take a moment to think of just how lucky and grateful we are. And maybe that we can learn one day to be as happy as the adorable friends we made.
But on to Cape Town tomorrow and to new adventures! We'll never forget what we learned in PE and we can't wait to see what's next!
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