"Do it All" by Branden Bosler

As I look back on my last 4 weeks in Africa, I realize that this trip, without a doubt the greatest I’ve ever taken, has been a culmination of some of the most amazing and memorable times of my life. I did things I never imagined doing when I swam with great white sharks. I conquered fears I once thought unconquerable when I jumped off the world’s highest bungee bridge. I met people I had only ever read about in books when Ahmed Kathrada, Nelson Mandela’s cellmate and political confidant, gave us a tour of Robben Island. I interacted with animals only before ever seen on my television when I got to hold the trunk of an African elephant and then the next day go on a safari. I met and befriended people with whom I never thought I’d cross paths when I spent time in the township of Sir Lowry’s Pass. I slept in places I never imagined sleeping when I in turn, slept with my new friends in their homes. I experienced love from complete strangers in this same place. I drank more wine than I ever imagined drinking when I toured vineyard after vineyard in the towns of Franschoek and Stellenbosch. I ate food I never thought I’d eat when I ordered ostrich steak and then the next night ordered kudu. I climbed mountains I once thought impossible when we hiked Table Mountain. I saw sights that took my breath away when I watched the sun rise over the city from the top of Lion’s Head. I saw the most beautiful sunset of my life when that same sun that I watched rise, set over the Atlantic Ocean as I looked on from the shores of Clifton Beach. I was immersed in sporting events only ever seen on TV with World Cup mania. I rode in more taxis than I ever want to again as I zipped all over the city on a daily basis. I partied later than I’ve ever partied, dancing in the clubs of Long Street until 5am. And above all, I shared all of this with once complete strangers, who have since become incredible friends.

“Always be Curious” by Preston Shurley

Curious George was always one of my favorite series growing up. George was fascinated by the world and all it had to offer. He went through life with an unending, and often mischievous, thirst for knowledge and understanding. I learned many things from that monkey, but most importantly, George instilled in me at a young age an incredible astonishment with the world. This curiosity has been my guide for my life, especially in my time here in Cape Town. It has driven me to do things I never thought I would (jump off bridges and out of planes, swim with sharks, and free climb on the cliffs of Cape Point), it has helped me give to the point of exhaustion (painting inside the pre-school, throwing the kids of the township in the air, and spinning them around and around until we all felt like we were walking home from a long night at Tiger Tiger), and it has given me the energy to try to do everything, even when only averaging about 4 hours of sleep per night.

Cape Town is such an astonishing city, and there is so much to experience here that you never cease to be amazed. The city is gorgeous, the culture is wonderful, and the excitement of the approaching World Cup is enough to inspire anyone with a youthful enthusiasm for life. It is because of this that I am always curious. As the program comes to a close, and the reality of the flight back to America becomes all too real, my curiosity has turned into a fire to see and do everything I can before I get back to “real life.” These are the times when I wish George was on this trip. He would be a great travel companion and provide more inspiration than necessary to attempt to accomplish everything we want to do. But the potential for George is in all of us. As long as we wake each morning with a youthful curiosity for life, we carry the spirit of George in us and will be inspired to reach the full potential of life.

Always be curious. Never cease to be astonished. Love wholly. And give fully.

"Seize the Day" by Graham Williams

It is taken from the Latin word, "Carpe Diem". One life, that's all we get. Take advantage of every opportunity and seek out every chance you get to do something you will never forget. So when I heard about 4 weeks of living/studying abroad in South Africa, its the first 3 words that came to mind. Yea it was going to be an expensive trip and it might put me in a little debt to the ole parents but how often to people get to go LEAD in South Africa and do all that we've done? My parents never have, my grandparents never did, and most of my friends at home probably never will... But thankfully, when the opportunity came about, I knew I had to go for it no matter what. Here in Cape town, I've been able to experience many amazing things and even cross off 5 things off of my bucket list. Here is a list of the 5 things on my bucket list that have already been checked off in just a matter of 3 weeks:

1. Submerse myself in a completely different culture and experience life as they do. CHECK.
2. Dive with Great White sharks. CHECK.
3. Go bungee jumping of the highest bungee in the world? CHECK.
4. Go skydiving?? CHECK.
5. Go on a safari in Africa? CHECK!!!

And not only is all of this happening but as our trip is dwindling down and it will be disappointing to separate with new friends- I know that just one week after they all leave, ill still be here in Cape Town knocking just one more big thing off my bucket list: Going to the WORLD CUP

“All for Them” by Ryan Baker

Earlier this week we traveled back to the township of Sir Lowry’s Pass, located on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa for more service learning experience. On this particular day, we volunteered at the Community Center in Sir Lowry’s Pass so that we could play with the children and take some of the burden off of the three women who work with the over 120 kids. This blog is a dedication to the children of Sir Lowry’s Pass and others in similar situations around the globe. It is with great pleasure that I write about the many methods one can use to connect, play, and interact with the children of Sir Lowry’s Pass. Without further hesitation…

The Top 10 Ways to Have a Great Time with Children of South Africa

• Play, sing, hum, whistle or make any other audible noise with the tune of “Baby” by Justin Bieber and you will instantly be surrounded by upwards of 20 children all singing along and dancing.
• Play touch rugby. The boys of the township can be seen playing this modified form of rugby at nearly every time of day. Be forewarned however: Be prepared to sweat as you will play for at least 30 minutes. These kids just don’t tire.
• Make beaded bracelets and/or necklaces. I’m not going to pretend to be an expert on the subject because let’s face it, I’m not, but I think I made over 20 bracelets in the half hour I worked at this table. Oh, and there was a constant line of at least five kids at all times waiting for their turn.
• Face Paint. The kids love painting on their faces, but particularly enjoy painting on yours.
• Walk around with a child on your shoulders. Pretty hard to say no when there’s a cute little boy staring you in the eyes, with his hand pointing to the sky and whispering the word, “Up”.
• Paint Fingernails. Let’s look at the facts here: Girls love getting their nails done regardless of where they live. I think it’s genetic.
• Play “Little Sally Walker” or any other dancing game.
• Let the kids play with your hair. This one is pretty labor intensive (end sarcasm) so it can be a favorite after you’ve been running around for hours and just need a five or ten minute break.
• Play soccer. It seems to be very popular, especially with the FIFA World Cup coming up in the next two weeks.
• Bubbles. What kid doesn’t have a blast blowing bubbles? Enough said.

"Wave Your Flag" by Robert Armstrong

Today was our second day back in Sir Lowry’s Pass. Our group entertained lots of young school children at the community center. After reading a few books to one boy we made our way over to the face painting section. I would end up spending the remaining time painting faces and arms as everyone wanted multiple flags covering their body. South Africa and Brazil were by far the two most popular choices and by the end of the hour there were dozens of kids running around, proud to be wearing their flag on their face in light of the upcoming World Cup.

After we finished with the kids in the community center we broke into smaller groups based on the families that we stayed with during the overnight. Since Vanessa was still at work, Mackenzie and I joined Cheryl (the main soup mother in Sir Lowry’s Pass) in her home for the afternoon. We talked for some time while drinking coffee and watching Savannah, Cheryl’s granddaughter who just turned two, as she played with Greta’s hair. It’s incredible how open and loving the people of Sir Lowry’s Pass are. The kids run to the bus, only wanting to be picked up and loved on for the few hours we’re there and the mothers have graciously invited us into their homes for the second time now, giving us a glimpse into township life. They may not have a lot but they give so much more readily than we do. There’s a lot to be learned from the people of Sir Lowry’s Pass and more often than not I feel as if they’re helping us more than we’re helping them.

"America vs. South Africa" by Jason Hafford

Any time you leave the country, you tend to notice the subtle
differences between home and abroad. Here are a few from Cape Town:

America has stop lights. South Africans call them "Robots".

America has fast food. South Africa has Steers Burgers and KFC on EVERY corner.

America has ketchup. South Africa has 1000 Island and BBQ sauce for burgers.

America has Six Flags. South Africa has the Worlds Tallest Bungee Jump.

America has petting zoos. South Africa has Shark Diving with Great Whites.

America has rush hour traffic. South Africa has Elephant road blocks.

America has football, baseball, and basketball. South Africa has rugby, cricket, and the 2010 FIFA World Cup!

While there are obviously differences between the two countries it is
ultimately the similarities and relationships that make this a special
place. I thoroughly enjoyed staying up late into the night talking
SEC football with a Canadian tourist at a hostel and realizing that
McDonald's will deliver McFlurrys to your hotel room. Moments like
these remind you that in the end people really aren't that different
even if they are separated by the Atlantic Ocean.

“Bucket List Time” By: Taylor Cardwell

South Africa is a place where one should go to complete his or her bucket list. No matter what activities that you enjoy participating in, South Africa will have it. You might be a hiker; well you could always climb Table Mountain. You might like swimming; well you could cage dive with Great White Sharks. You might be crazy; well you could jump out of a plane to skydive or off a bridge to bungee jump. There are also plenty of places to shop and tons on wine vineyards for those people who like to keep their feet more grounded. Those cat lovers out there could go to the Cheetah Outreach and pet cheetahs. If you love playing with kids and can resist making someone truly happy you can visit Sir Lowry’s Pass where “out of energy” is just some the kids do not experience. There is plenty of rugby and even the World Cup for all of those sports fans. The point is that South Africa has it all and I would like to share some of the things that I will be checking off of my bucket list on this trip.
1. Bungee Jump (off the 2nd highest bungee jump in the world.)
2. Pet a Wild Animal (the cheetahs)
3. Climb a mountain (Table Mountain)
4. Learn to surf
5. Cage Dive with Great White Sharks
6. Go on a Safari
7. Go to a World Cup match

"Living By Giving" By: Stephanie Spinella

After a full night of dancing to Michael Jackson, sharing stories with our new family, and watching the epic saga of Mosquitoman, our overnight experience in the township had come to an end and the bus full of exhausted yet chipper Global Leaders was abuzz with stories from the night before. In our “Power of Giving” session, we learned of even more stories from last night, both funny and heart warming. Andrew shared some extremely colorful Afrikaner phrases he was taught and I can only describe Logan’s questionable story in three words: prize winning pigeons.

We also discussed what this experience meant to us and how it changed our perspective on giving and living. I think that the importance of family in these people’s lives was really inspiring to all of us. While at Veronica’s home, my group members and I met so many different people we weren’t exactly sure which children belonged to whom. They cared and loved for each member in the community and it was irrelevant to which specific family tree they belonged. As Garret put it, if you were to see a young eight-year-old girl holding a baby in the middle of the street in the United States it would be shocking to see, but here in Sir Lowry’s Pass, this is life.

It’s sometimes hard to think that the same exciting city that is hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup is also a home to so much poverty. This experience was an eye opener in so many ways. Now when I hear of little children living in these conditions, I’ll now think of chubby cheeks baby Kelly, High School Musical fan Kay-Lee, or Samantha who wants to be a teacher when she grows up.

…And I swear I’m not making up Mosiqutoman. He exists!