Greetings from Sacramento, CA. We are just a couple days out from boarding the plane that will take us into new adventures and experiences. Our team is so excited and we just can't hide it, that is why we are blogging to share our experiences with you :)
I have traveled all around the United States and learned so much from my travels, it allowed me to see the world, or my world much differently. My perspectives have changed and that, in return has helped me tremendously in the work that I do around advocacy and empowerment. With that said, this is my FIRST international travel. I received my passport and I'm ready for that stamp lol. I am excited to explore and learn much with the a team of passionate people who are going to receive and pass it to others on our return.
Reflecting on my travels, I would encourage others to travel whenever the opportunity presents itself. It defiantly shapes perspectives and expands ones thinking.
If you look at the previous post, you'll see our schedule. I am looking forward to meet with other groups in South Africa and exchange stories, knowledge, practices ect.
Thank you for taking the time to check out our blog :)
Eli
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Final Planning Meeting
Yesterday we had our final planning meeting for the trip, because we leave this Wednesday for our exchange in South Africa. One part of the team will arrive on Thursday and the rest of us will arrive in Johannesburg on Friday morning.
Along with last minute details we went over our final agenda. Our tentative schedule looks a little something like this:
Wednesday 2/13/2013 (USA)
Thursday 2/14/2013 (In the Sky)
Friday 2/15/2012 (Johannesburg)
Saturday 2/16/2012 (Johannesburg)
Sunday 2/17/2012 (Johannesburg-Cape Town)
Monday 2/18/2012 (Cape Town)
Tuesday 2/19/2012 (Cape Town)
Wednesday 2/20/2012 (Cape Town)
Thursday 2/21/2012 (Cape Town-Johannesburg)
Friday 2/22/2012 (Kruger)
Saturday 2/23/2012 (Kruger)
Sunday 2/24/2012 (Johannesburg)
Along with last minute details we went over our final agenda. Our tentative schedule looks a little something like this:
Foster Youth Cultural Exchange 2013 Schedule
Wednesday 2/13/2013 (USA)
- Depart for South Africa
Thursday 2/14/2013 (In the Sky)
- In-Flight - In the sky
- Happy Valentine's Day!
Friday 2/15/2012 (Johannesburg)
- Arrive in South Africa!!!!!!!!!
- Apartheid Museum Tour
- Soweto Tour
Saturday 2/16/2012 (Johannesburg)
- In-service for African Leadership Academy
- Lunch with ALA
- Explore Johannesberg
Sunday 2/17/2012 (Johannesburg-Cape Town)
- Fly to Cape Town
- Explore Capetown
Monday 2/18/2012 (Cape Town)
Tuesday 2/19/2012 (Cape Town)
Wednesday 2/20/2012 (Cape Town)
Thursday 2/21/2012 (Cape Town-Johannesburg)
- Flight leaving Cape Town to Johannesberg
- Explore Johannesburg
Friday 2/22/2012 (Kruger)
Saturday 2/23/2012 (Kruger)
- Final Goodbyes
- Fly out of Johannesburg
- Arrive Home
We will be blogging and updating you as we go along!
Monday, February 4, 2013
It's all getting real
There are many things to consider when you are traveling outside of the United States. I have done so little of it I am learning new things everyday.
My privilege as an American is surely to become clear as I cross oceans and borders and visit the continent of Africa. I am trying not to worry too much about whether or not my technology will work (thank goodness I am not beholdant to a curling iron or a blow dryer :-) and focusing more on how I can keep my body safe and comfortable, how I can stay emotionally open to all the new experiences, sights, sounds, tastes, voices, weather, etc.
I started taking my typhoid pills today and realized that I started a few days late. Not bueno. Score one for someone other than this novice traveler and cross fingers that the pills that require one to take them one week before potential exposure will manage with 4.5 days before potential exposure.
I am also hoping to pick up my malaria pills soon or I suppose they are anti-malaria pills...hmmmm.... I hope those aren't needed to be taken starting last week too.
There are 9 of us traveling. Two of us will have to learn to drive on the "wrong" side of the street. Oh boy. I did that on a motorbike in Thailand and I had to say out loud each time I entered the highway, "stay on the left Jamie." I'm sure my traveling companions will pay great attention and advise me if I stray.
I can hardly believe that 9 days from now I will be on a plane heading to a place where I have never been, about to see a country of people who have only recently overthrown Apartheid...a country suffering from HIV and AIDS and lack of support. A country with a growing population of foster youth and orphans. I know that when I meet people I will be able to open my heart and truly care about them. Ellen Lerner taught me that with her self published book called "Big Love." And the many YTP youth have taught me that each time we read the book together and ponder what it means to open your heart as wide as can be and allow love to flow in and out.
I know that the first time I see an elephant or giraffe in the wild I will want to reach and hold the hand of my most dear and I will miss them not being with me.
I asked Crystal to tell me to look up at the sky a lot when I am in Africa. I will be looking up at the same sky as those in Oakland, or Thailand or everywhere... I am already in awe of the experience and it hasn't even happened yet.
My privilege as an American is surely to become clear as I cross oceans and borders and visit the continent of Africa. I am trying not to worry too much about whether or not my technology will work (thank goodness I am not beholdant to a curling iron or a blow dryer :-) and focusing more on how I can keep my body safe and comfortable, how I can stay emotionally open to all the new experiences, sights, sounds, tastes, voices, weather, etc.
I started taking my typhoid pills today and realized that I started a few days late. Not bueno. Score one for someone other than this novice traveler and cross fingers that the pills that require one to take them one week before potential exposure will manage with 4.5 days before potential exposure.
I am also hoping to pick up my malaria pills soon or I suppose they are anti-malaria pills...hmmmm.... I hope those aren't needed to be taken starting last week too.
There are 9 of us traveling. Two of us will have to learn to drive on the "wrong" side of the street. Oh boy. I did that on a motorbike in Thailand and I had to say out loud each time I entered the highway, "stay on the left Jamie." I'm sure my traveling companions will pay great attention and advise me if I stray.
I can hardly believe that 9 days from now I will be on a plane heading to a place where I have never been, about to see a country of people who have only recently overthrown Apartheid...a country suffering from HIV and AIDS and lack of support. A country with a growing population of foster youth and orphans. I know that when I meet people I will be able to open my heart and truly care about them. Ellen Lerner taught me that with her self published book called "Big Love." And the many YTP youth have taught me that each time we read the book together and ponder what it means to open your heart as wide as can be and allow love to flow in and out.
I know that the first time I see an elephant or giraffe in the wild I will want to reach and hold the hand of my most dear and I will miss them not being with me.
I asked Crystal to tell me to look up at the sky a lot when I am in Africa. I will be looking up at the same sky as those in Oakland, or Thailand or everywhere... I am already in awe of the experience and it hasn't even happened yet.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
10 DAYS!!!
Our in-service planning and trip planning in in full gear and we are putting the final touches on our agenda. Because we leave for Johannesburg next Wednesday!!!!
Friday, January 18, 2013
Immunizations
Crystal, here!
This morning, I finished getting the immunizations that I needed for the trip. The travel clinic that I went to made me a great traveler's resource!
Despite having a slight headache from the Hep. A shot, all went well. AND, I was so excited to be able to take photos when traveling as I was sitting in the waiting room and was browsing the photo albums.
We are getting so close now!!!
This morning, I finished getting the immunizations that I needed for the trip. The travel clinic that I went to made me a great traveler's resource!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Good Morning, South Africa!
Tonight we were on a mission to finalize plans to go on a safari at the end of our exchange in South Africa. We were excited with our progress, but decided to make a call to South Africa to speed up the process. Unfortunately, an 8:45 PST meant for a 6:45am call to South Africa. All of us on the conference call listened as Jamie dialed. It was a fun moment to think we were all connected through the telephone.
A woman answered after a few rings, and Jamie says, "Hello, is this EcoBush tours?" The answer on the line is a soft no. Jamie then goes on to ask, "Is this South Africa?"
"Why, yes it is," was the response. Thus, the story of how Jamie prank called a very sweet morning person in South Africa at 6:45am local time.
After this, we tried again and Jamie was able to talk with the owner of Ecobush, and she even took on some of his accent. Listening in was a pleasure, and a great foresight into the attitudes of people living in South Africa.
When we get back from South Africa, I am positive that Jamie will have the perfect accent if she ever wants to make SOuth African prank calls again. :)
A woman answered after a few rings, and Jamie says, "Hello, is this EcoBush tours?" The answer on the line is a soft no. Jamie then goes on to ask, "Is this South Africa?"
"Why, yes it is," was the response. Thus, the story of how Jamie prank called a very sweet morning person in South Africa at 6:45am local time.
After this, we tried again and Jamie was able to talk with the owner of Ecobush, and she even took on some of his accent. Listening in was a pleasure, and a great foresight into the attitudes of people living in South Africa.
When we get back from South Africa, I am positive that Jamie will have the perfect accent if she ever wants to make SOuth African prank calls again. :)
Friday, January 11, 2013
Almost One Month Away...
Our team is about one month out from heading to Johannesburg. The schedule is coming together. We met last Sunday on January 6th at the Digital Storytelling Center in Berkeley. The venue was great and the team had the opportunity to hear from Amy Hill about her experiences in South Africa, and she showed us some of the powerful digital stories that were made there.
Some of what we accomplished at the meeting were:
Some of what we accomplished at the meeting were:
- Booking lodgings for our first few days in Johannesburg.. at Bob's Bunk House
- Planning for in-services at organizations we will be visiting with ( African Leadership Academy has confirmed with us too!)
- Updates on our Fundraising.. WE ARE ON OUR WAY TO GOAL!!
- Assigned homework assignments to research flea markets and wildlife game parks
This week we have also booked our roundtrip tickets between Johannesburg and Cape Town. Our team will not be able to have an in-person meeting this week, but we will meet over the phone.
Watch out for an update from Crystal and Jamie about some of their experiences watching movies about how South Africa is represented in films!
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