I have learned a lot here in Grahamstown in the last five weeks. I obviously can't really record ALL of the lessons, but here is a short list of a a few I have (somewhat painfully) re-learned in the past week:
1. The sun will still burn the unprotected skin on a cloudy day. Especially the South African sun...in the summer...by the water...not wearing sunscreen (I am too embarassed to even post a picture. ow.)
2. When there is a fire drill or alarm, you are required here (at Rhodes) to take a blanket outside with you. (Sensible, right? Somehow I never learned this advice back at BC despite the 5+ fire alarms in the middle of winter in 90 last year)
3. South Africa has a very very high rate of HIV infection. I went to the hospital for the first time on Friday. I joined the medical team for rounds in the hospice ward. I would estimate that 75% of the patients (in hospice) have opportunistic infections due to AIDS. I think about 50% of the patients we saw had TB. UNAIDS estimated that in 2007, six million people were infected with HIV in South Africa.
4. I actually did seem to lose my school work ethic somewhere over the Atlantic (well, come to think of it, I lost it back in December. Before Christmas). I have found it quite difficult to sit down and do work here. As soon as I try... the words "I'm in South Africa" start creeping into my mind and make me find something better to do. Like... having rooibos tea and rusks with res friends. Or chilling on the roof. Or posting on my blog. Or going to the beach. I think you get the idea...
5. I am not always ... "proud to be American." I was not surprised to see that Coca-Cola products, KFC, and MTV are longstanding incorporations into the daily life of South Africa (and much of the rest of the world, for that matter). Some food for thought: As Peter Raven, from my Anthropology textbook, says, "if everyone lived like Americans, you'd need three planet earths... to sustain that level of consumption." And, "on average, one North American consumes hundreds of times the resources of a single African."
On that note, I will be turning off my light and getting some rest before the start of another crazy week. Much love to all at home and abroad. Miss you!
Love,
Linda
miss you! hope your sunburn gets better soon :(
ReplyDeleteI have learned that sunburn lesson on multiple occasions thus far... sad
ReplyDeleteon the up side however, just think what it would have been like to be an american here under the bush administration. Apparently, former SIT groups used to tell everyone they were from Canada...
Glad to hear your sunburn is calming down. I am so sorry you had to endure that! Glad that Dr Kropf sent you some advice on how to help your neck. He's been a great help to Amy and me!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I am overwhelmed when I think about all that I have when compared to just about everyone else on the planet. Much is expected of me because I have been given much. Thank you for reminding me of these important lessons.
I love you Linda! I miss you tons.
Love, mom