"Take a Stand" By: Meagan Bourne

We had heard of Nelson Mandela, seen the movie Invictus, and learned about apartheid. The next step was to take a trip to Robben Island where he was held prisoner for 28 years. However, it wouldn’t be just any trip to the Island. We would have our tour guided by Nelson Mandela’s prison mate, Ahmed Kathrada.

The day started with a short film about Nelson Mandela followed by two guest speakers. Then around 12:00 we loaded the buses where we arrived at the V&A Waterfront for a 1:00 departure to Robben Island. When we arrived, we made our way through the prison passing by each individual cell, not much bigger than a closet. Passing by Mandela’s cell, it was hard to imagine spending so many years there and then going on to lead a country towards equality. At the end of the cells, we all gathered in a larger room and listened to Kathrada’s recollection of his time spent in the prison. As he talked about chiseling rocks during the day, going to church on Sundays, and bartering for any piece of news they could find, it was unbelievable to think of the journey he and Mandela had gone through.

Sitting on the ferry back to Cape Town, I realized that sitting right behind me was Nelson Mandela’s prison mate talking to the granddaughter of a past African National Congress president while a Pulitzer Prize winning author was standing just a few feet away from them (these were the two guest speakers from this morning). It was an incredible and privileged experience that I will remember forever. So, my three words to the world are “Take a stand.” Even when the prisoners were arrested and thought they were facing the death sentence, they never stopped fighting for what they believed and became important figures to change South Africa forever.

"In the Moment" By: Meg Diamond

I have been non-stop since this trip began. Between the township service project, classes, cape extreme adventure activities and all the other things I want to do with my free time, I have hardly had a chance to sleep. On Monday I had the opportunity to go sand boarding and 4 wheeling. I was with a small group of seven and Christo, one of the cape extreme leaders took us to the second smallest dessert in the world. The four wheeling was great and sand boarding came pretty natural to me but what I didn’t expect to experience that day was the most incredible part. The group of seven was split into a group of four and a group of three. I was in the group of four and we went four wheeling first. During the bumpy ride we saw beautiful rolling sand hills but the beauty of the land was taken over by the loud humming of the motor and my focus on gripping the handles. When we came to a stop and switched activities and the group of three zoomed away I finally got to hear the silence of the dessert. We climbed to the top of a steep sand hill and look out to see an amazing view of Table Mountain. Even though I was standing there with three other people I felt alone. There wasn’t a single moving object around us and the beautiful sight of the white sand against the blue sky took my breath away. After sand boarding for a while we went back to the top of the hill for a rest and noticed some eerie clouds in the distance. These clouds were coming towards us pretty fast and the four of us sat and watched the clouds roll in and suddenly consume us. Before we knew it the view we had experienced only minutes before was gone and we could hardly see the hill next to us let alone Table Mountain. My roommate immediately said, “I wish I had my camera.” And in that moment I realized how cool the moment really was. No one had a camera because of all the sand and there was no way to capture what we experienced. That moment will be shared only between the four of us and as much as I ever try to explain it in this blog or to anyone else at home or on this trip it won’t ever to that moment justice. It made me think further about no matter how much I write in my journal or how many pictures I take there is no way I could ever describe this trip and this experience in South Africa. This month will be shared with the 104 students on this trip. No matter how hard I try to make my friends and family understand what I have learned and seen, they won’t understand unless they come and do this themselves.
Obviously I don’t have a picture of this moment or any pictures from this day but since I am required to attach a picture to this blog I will try to show you another amazing moment that I have experienced in Cape Town. This picture is of the Water Front as we came back from the sunset cruise on Sunday night. Most people were inside and did not get to see how amazing the Waterfront is light up at night but luckily I got to see this and capture in this photo.
As much fun as it is to take pictures to bring home sometimes it is important to put the camera down and be where you are. So my three words are: in the moment.

"K. Money’s debut" By: Katherine Marr

So I’m sittin’ here in Cape Town, and I’ve got somethin’ to say
I’m startin’ to see the world in a whole new way

With new friends to my left
And adventures to the right
It’s too late to turn back – the travel bug has given me a bite

The people. the places. so many things to see
Trust me folks – there ain’t no time for t.v.

I’ve chilled in a township that not many know of
And I’ve formed bonds - like a hand in glove

It’s not about the dollar sign, but the time you invest,
To make an impact with the utmost zest

So discover the lucky charms you bring to the table
because others simply might not be able

And don’t forget that when a hard day’s work is done
You’re in Cape Town home fry - you can afford to party outside the bun!

Go to Long Street, the Waterfront, and so much more
You haven’t done enough if your feet aren’t sore

Now, as I peace out- promise you’ll always remember
That I’m a super. cool. fly. Global LEAD member