I spent the past week in and around beautiful Johannesburg, South Africa. There were many life-changing, memorable experiences over the course of the last week, but I thought I’d share a few of the toppers here. Here are the five South African things that blew my mind this week.
1. Soweto and the struggle for freedom. We spent time at the Hector Pieterson memorial and museum learning about the student uprisings of the 1970’s and the beginnings of the path to liberation for black South Africans. Such amazing stories of courage. We also visited the site of the signing of the Freedom Charter, and heard the stories of the collective struggle to throw off the yoke of oppression.
2. Insanity dives. Speaking of Soweto, did you know that people bungee jump from between these cooling towers? Outstanding.
3. In good company. Also in Soweto, we had dinner on the only street in the world that claims the former residences of two Nobel Peace Prize winners. Can you name them?
4. Bush Lodge Bliss. I had the privilege of spending the night at the Badgerleur Bush Lodge, about two hours south of Johannesburg. On the game drive, we came face-to-face with a family of rhinos, a family of giraffes, and a family of hippos and got to watch the sun set over the plain from atop a mountain. (While eating sour cream and onion potato chips and drinking Castle beer. Again…outstanding.)
5. Algorithms rule. On the 17 hour plane ride, (the longest non-stop flight Delta makes, by the way), I watched this TED talk on algorithms. Absolutely fascinating.
It’s great to be home and in a regular rhythm again! Ping me if you want to hear more about the trip.
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