“How do you truly live before you die?” I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this question. Jumping off the highest commercial bungee in the world last week prompted the answer “Face Fear” (though I was too cheap to buy the t-shirt), while living off of a dollar and sleeping in the township yesterday prompted the answer “Reach Out.” Already, I feel like I’ve found lots of ways to “truly live” here in South Africa—whether it’s been taking a not-so-wild ride on a sleepy elephant or an exhilarating zip-line over Tstisikamma Falls, in nine short days this trip has transported me far and away from my normal comfort zone. And I’m not just talking about Adventure Week, either—coming into this experience only knowing four people amidst over a hundred Georgia Bulldogs was really intimidating at first! It’s becoming increasingly clearer to me that foreign experiences like these are what really allow you to grow as a person and experience life to the fullest.
In the township last night, I had the opportunity to stay with a family where one of the daughters was my own age. We talked for a while, and actually had a lot in common—but unlike me, after high school she had to go straight to work to help support her family. While the reality is that 98% of the world doesn’t get a chance to obtain a higher education, most of us on this trip can’t imagine not having college as an option. Spending the evening with someone my own age and talking to her about her responsibilities at work, as well as her dreams for the future, was a blatant reminder of how lucky I am to feel like I have so many options for the future.
What I took away from spending the night in Lowry’s Pass last night was a profound sense of gratitude—for everything I haven’t had to think twice about growing up (food, shelter, clothing), for a solid family support system, and for the boundless opportunities I’ve been handed, no questions asked, since day one. The families living in the township are often forced to ignore these needs and possibilities and worry about mere survival—something I certainly take for granted when I claim I’m “starving” in between meals or have “nothing to wear” in my closet. The fact that the families I met were constantly laughing, playing in the street together, and sharing what little they do have not only made me appreciate my blessings, but also shed light on how prioritizing relationships with family, friends, and the occasional stranger can make life so much sweeter.
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