Well, it's out last day in South Africa. It's kind of bittersweet; but I do miss home. We spent the day atop Table Mountain which was absolutely breathtaking. We also rode around and visited a beach and did some additional shopping. I'm very pleased with the trip overall. Even more pleased that 11 people with varying views and personalities didn't kill each other or have a major blow up during this trip.

We spent the whole day in Capetown today. Shopped a little this morning and had a lunch. We then went on a ferry to Robben Island; the infamous jail that housed many political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela.

An actual former prisoner gives the tour. It's amazing to me how these men have forgiven their captors and reconciled with them. They now work together; giving tours and telling stories from their perspectives as guards and prisoners. Some of the former prisoners and guards still live on the island in a small community.

The major inspiration to me is despite the years of torture and humiliation, Mandela and other leaders decided revenge was not for the good of the country and chose the path of peace. I don't know many people that can find it in their heart to forgive in such a way. To put your country above yourself is an honorable thing that we Americans can learn alot from. To show true forgiveness and love of humanity is another honorable lesson to learn as well.

We visited an affluent school in Somerset West today. It is about 30 minutes on the outskirts of Capetown. What a MAJOR difference from the township schools. The facilities were absolutely amazing (i.e. swimming pools, athletic fields, gym, a PRAYER room, meeting facilities, etc.). They even had AIR CONDITIONING and fully functional restrooms and ELECTRICITY! These may sound like basics to Americans, but here it is somewhat of a luxury. The major difference didn't lay in the government funding these schools more; but in the ability of the parents to raise money. The school is predominantly Afrikaans and in an affluent area. It's really shameful that the government allows these inequities to persist in a post apartheid South Africa.

Ironically, the staff and adminstration at this school had many of the same issues that the township schools had (i.e. inept government funding and leadership). Fortunately for them, their parents are able to make up for what the government isn't doing.

I would also add that much like the township children, these kids were enthusiastic about learning and very welcoming. Many of them had traveled to the US before and knew alot about our culture.

After we left the school, we traveled to Capetown. It is a very metropolitan city and kind of reminds me of some sections of NY (without as many people). We will be here for the rest of our trip and we leave on Sunday morning.

We visited another high school today. I would equate this school with one of our more troubled inner city schools in the U.S. Student population has dropped from over 1000 to just over 300 in the past few years. The school is constantly vandalized, parents that can afford to send their kids to other schools, and many students/parents are uninterested in the education there. It was very sad because many of the teachers seemed to have been "beaten up" so long they had given up on improving the school. Hopefully something will change in the leadership to give the teachers the flame of hope they once had. We were allowed to meet some of the seniors that were taking their final exams. They were a very well spoken, well dressed and friendly group of young people.

From the high school, we rode past some of the more affluent city (i.e. used to be all White schools during apartheid). The contrasts of resources and facilities were stark. We have disparities in the US, but they pale in comparison to what we saw just from the outside of these schools.

We then had a meeting with some of the faculty from Nelson Mandela University. It was a very good discussion and we recapped many of our observations of the schools in Port Elizabeth. Tonight we will have dinner and get ready to travel to Capetown tomorrow.

BACK FROM THE BUSH

Hey gang! Made it back from 2 days in the elephant park. VERY exciting being among wild animals in their natural habitat. We saw elephants, hyenas, monkeys, jackals, water buffalo, zebra, kudu (a large antelope that is eaten like we eat deer), red hartebeasts (another antelope like animal) and ostrich to name a few. I have great pictures and videos of all of this; but I've decided to post them when I get home. Unless we have better internet in Capetown, it takes too long to upload photos.

Before we went to the elephant park, we visited a program that assists mothers with HIV and provides schooling for orphans of HIV. It was very sad.

Today we visited our first high school and they were taking their final exams. We had another performance by a group of student "peer educators". The students were very nice and pleased to meet us. Afterward, we visited the Red Location Museum; which chronicles the apartheid era in South Africa. It moved me to tears. There were so many parallels to the American Civil Rights Movement that I felt somewhat of a personal connection to.

Tomorrow we visit another high school and spend some time on Nelson Mandela University's campus. Wednesday we head to Capetown.

Hello everyone. Today we visited another primary school (grades R-7) and heard beautiful songs from them. Again, the students were very excited to meet us. We then went and visited a beach area that is known worldwide for its surfing. Tonight, we have a reception and tour of one of the Black townships. I am very much looking forward to interacting with the people there. Tomorrow we're headed to stay in an elephant park for a couple of days, so internet access will most likely be very limited.

DAY 3 (more)

Also, the 2nd half of the day was spent at a campus of Nelson Mandela University. Nice reception and some interesting information about math education was discussed. Tonight the guys were supposed to go out on the town; but the lady that was going to take us left without us and we couldn't figure out where the place was. But we did have dinner at a fine Italian restaurant and enjoyed each others company.

DAY 3

Hello all. I finally found an internet cafe that is reliable; but can't upload my pics for some reason ... SOOOO ... tomorrow (if I have time) I will come back over here and upload my pics from my own laptop. Anyhow ....

Today we started off in our first school - Emafini Primary (Grades R-7). I can't remember what R stands for, but it's their version of kindergarten. The children were all so well behaved and presented themselves well in their uniforms. 60% of the students at this school came from the Black townships, and the other 40% came from a more affluent, "middle class" township; but it is to be noted that the more middle class township would be considered our housing projects/trailer parks in the US.

The kids pretty much supervised themselves with very few discipline problems. The kids monitored themselves in the classrooms and during recess. I took plenty of pictures and video of the children. I spoke with a 7th grade class and they were very excited to meet an American.

Hello everyone. Still having difficulty with the internet, therefore no pics yet. I have taken many and promise to post as soon as I can. Today was amazing. We toured Nelson Mandela University informally, drove through some of the Black townships (VERY sad), drove through some Indian townships and Colored townships, visited a mall and had dinner, and had a reception from our South African hosts. All of the guys then visited the local casino. I will update another time. Sorry for the delay on the pics.

ARRIVAL

Hello everyone. I am here in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. We left Raleigh-Durham at 755 and had a connecting flight at JFK. The flight took 14 1/2 hours on South African Airways. The food was OUTSTANDING! Good drinks and 2 full meals. We flew into Johannesburg and had to connect yet again to fly 2 more hours into Port Elizabeth. So far, this area we are in reminds me of the Wilmington area. The beach is less than 1/2 mile from us and I think we're staying among rental properties. The people here have been really nice thus far.

I am having difficulty with my computer, so I am using someone else's. I will try to post some of the pics I've took once I get my own computer working.

P.S. We are 6 hours ahead of the US here.