My first full week in South Africa after a whirlwind weekend! After this week I can definitley say that I am more settled in and getting used to the routine here (i.e. first light runs, tea, constant search for heat/wifi, and stories stories stories!)
A daily occurrence throughout my week have been my mornings. On Monday I first joined my two professors at 6:30AM for a run to catch the first light of the day. The thinner air here makes it a bit harder to breathe, but by the end of the week I have gotten used to it. Though hard to leave my warm bed and head outside, the runs have been so nice and actually helped me get more used to the cold.
For breakfast we put our names on a sheet of paper that lists what the ladies in the kitchen have available. I usually stick with some eggs, toast with jam, tea, and mango juice!
We then have a morning meeting with the whole group to go over story development, schedules, thoughts, and anything else. The rest of the day is then dedicated to work, outings, and interviews!
Highlights & Interesting Notes For My Week:
Monday, June 4th:
We had a guest come in for our morning meeting, Asania Aphane, who is a very tiny women with a very large personality. She has done so many cool jobs from television, communications, corporate, and now works as a consultant. She was really helpful in giving information for each of our story ideas in terms of possible contacts, angles, and medium for the ideas.
Tuesday, June 5th
During our morning runs I learn little tidbits about South Africa & Joburg. This day I learned that you are not to pet any dogs that you see because they are most likely guard/attack dogs. This was seen as we walked past a man walking two dogs, who then stopped very far away as a car was pulling out. This is because that is the most high risk time for car hijackings to occur, when someone is leaving their driveway for work in the morning.
Later this day we went to the SPAR complex that has a coffee shop in it as well as the laundromat and grocery store . The barista is deaf here so there is a menu to order from that shows you how to sign your order–a very cool spot.
Wednesday, June 6th
Everyone has started to set up different interviews during the week for our various stories. I went along to one at JRS (Jesuit Refugee Service) with another student where we interviewed four people from various departments, then went to the Arrupe Women’s Center, and then to a client visit where we met a very ill women who benefits from the organization. This experience was a lot, but definitley eye opening.
After this our professor took us to get some scones and tea with honey, which was great because I have been feeling a bit under the weather. Rooibos tea with a splash of milk has been the perfect cure (also the scone with jam, cheese, & cream didn’t hurt!).
Later this day we also headed to the U.S. embassy to meet with a foreign corresponder and ask him questions off the record about his job and what his life is like with a role like this where you move around to so many different areas. We had some time before our meeting and were able to see the very large Mandela statue.
Thursday, June 7th
After our morning meeting we had a camera workshop with Richard Davies, who works to capture multi media news and worked with our professor in the past.
We later went to the Jesuit Center, as it seemed fitting. This estate was extremely nice and beautiful, and was nice to talk to the fathers there.
I also ate a really great cronut from the 27 boxes area. Unfortunately was too excited to take a photo, but there is no doubt I will be back!
We all worked at a cafe later in the evening, and once it gets to dusk here we are not to walk, so we were able to experience our first tuk tuk ride–very fast and efficient!
Friday, June 8th
I had my first interview this day for a story I will be working on for next week at Bread & Roses, a cool cafe with a cooler message behind their name. The interview went really well, and I am excited to find more sources for the story!
For dinner we went to Adega, a Portuguese restaurant where we listened to one of our professor’s friends play some jazz music. Both the food and music were a really great end to the night!
Saturday, June 9th
Weekends are optional for us to do whatever we want, so this day a few of us chose to go with our professor to his hometown Lensaria (Lens) and meet with his friend for tea. She also had a bunch of goodies for us too, including koeksisters a crowd favorite.
For lunch we had bunny chow, which contrary to popular belief (my own) does not include bunny. It is the food that miners would bring for lunch since they didn’t have utensils. It is hollowed out bread with chicken curry inside. Really yummy and also really messy.
We passed through Soweto on the way home to stop at the community center again so someone could finish up an interview. Meanwhile I joined in on a soccer game going on outside with the children there. I am not quite ready to come out of retirement, but like to think I did hold my own.
This night we went to see Mutabaruka, a Jamaican poet at the University of Witwatersrand (pronounce the ‘W’ as ‘V’). It was kind of like slam poetry, and with such a lively crowd is was something I don’t think I will ever have the opportunity to see again, very interesting.
Sunday, June 10th
This day was dedicated to getting all of our work finalized. My first story about the visit to JRS and the experience meeting the refugee women in her home will be live soon, and posted here!
Tomorrow we leave for Rosendal early in the morning and will return late Wednesday night to cover some stories. The area seems more of the ‘countryside’ of South Africa, so I am excited to see what the next few days have in store.
