“Go Exploring” by Kiersten Williford

The scheduled events of Global Lead have been amazing, but some of my best days have come from my experiences of exploring Cape Town and everything it has to offer without any particular agenda.

One day a group of us went into the city to visit some places we had heard were interesting. We went to the District Six museum and were exposed to the history of South Africa. Charley’s Bakery provided us with a delicious treat and break before we made our way to the Castle of Good Hope. After looking at all the exhibits, we found ourselves on the roof of the structure, doing nothing but enjoying the weather and each other’s company.

Round two of exploring Cape Town came with fewer participants, but the same level of gratification. We went to the slave lodge for our historical fix of the day before we walked around the Company Gardens. The weather could not have been more perfect. Huge trees and indigenous flowers provided a beautiful foreground, while Table Mountain and the perfectly blue sky created some awesome scenery. The friendly, fat squirrels were benefiting from the people out and about the gardens. They will literally eat out of your palm and the size of them proves it. The night ended with an authentic African meal at Mama Africa, filled with many laughs and good conversation.

No official plans were made either day, but it proved that simply getting out of the hotel and taking advantage of this great city make some great memories. And of course genuine people and perfect weather are always a plus.

“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.

“This is Africa” by Katherine Short

From the second we landed in Cape Town the phrase “TIA” was dropped in nearly every chat, but it took me a few days to realize what it really meant: “This Is Africa.” Below is a list of my top TIA moments:

• Bungee jumping off the highest bungee bridge in the world. Definitely the most terrifying thing I have ever done and had I not been in Africa I probably never would have done it. The support of friends along with the blaring techno music is what got me up there (not to mention two men pushing me)
• Pulling in to Sir Lowry’s Pass and seeing a million smiling faces running along side the bus. I have never been so humbled as I was to see these children who have close to nothing light up over a hug.
• Visiting Robben Island and having Nelson Mandela’s cell mate, Ahmed Kathrada, guide our tour. It was such a neat experience to hear him talk first hand about what it was actually like living in prison for all those years.
• Hiking, more like climbing, Table Mountain at sunrise. All 104 of us set out to hike the hardest trail on table mountain, Skeleton Gorge. It was a very long, hard hike but at the top of the mountain we experienced the most incredible view of Cape Town.
• Getting stuck in the middle of a heard of elephants. As we drove into Addo National Park we were ecstatic to see one lonely elephant but as we got farther in one elephant turned in to about 30 surrounding our van to the point where we could not move.

In a city like Cape Town it is easy to forget that you are in a place like Africa but these moments along with many more have reminded me that “This Is Africa”.

"Live it Up" by Amy Bisger

The Top 10 Things that Surprised Me the Most About South Africa

• KFC is everywhere. South Africans adore KFC. In fact, the ratio of KFC’s to McDonald’s that we have seen is about 10 to 1, and South Africans call KFC “Kentucky.”
• South Africans refer to stoplights as “robots” and flashlights as “torches.” This was fairly confusing at first, but something that we picked up on pretty quickly.
• South African ketchup is not the same as American ketchup. However, we have discovered that adding large amounts of salt to South African ketchup can help.
• There is quite possibly more sushi available in South Africa than in some areas of Japan. If you want good sushi, you don’t need to go all the way to Asia, go to Africa instead.
• Animals such as Springbok and Ostrich are readily available on the menu. Don’t be afraid of the names, they are actually delicious.
• The tallest bungee jump in the world is in South Africa.

• The restaurant service in South Africa is a lot more relaxed. Even if you are only going to breakfast, you should allot at least 45 minutes to an hour.
• Table Mountain alone contains more different types of plant species than all of the United Kingdom, over 1,500.
• South Africa has a penguin colony. The penguins are able to survive due to the cold Antarctic currents on the West Coast near the Cape.
• It is very rare to be pulled over for speeding in South Africa. This became apparent after Adventure Week when we reached ridiculously high speeds on both highways and main roads, without a second glance from a cop.

"Simplicity Brings Happiness" by Kristen Chrismer

“My Mom Away From Home”

This past week we had the opportunity to visit Sir Lowry’s Pass. To reiterate what others have said, it truly was a life-impacting experience. For me personally, I had the honor of meeting my mom for the next two weeks, Mrs. Fiela. Mrs. Fiela is truly one of the most genuine, gracious, and loving person I have ever met. Just being in her presence puts me in a better mood. Her immense faith and heart is evident through her actions and simple conversation. She immediately welcomed us into her home with open arms and shared her journey with our group. The struggles she has overcome have molded her into the wonderful lady that she is and motivates me to try and be a better person. Spending time with her as well as her family taught me how the simple joys in life are what are truly rewarding in the end. Material luxuries are obviously nice to have, but I honestly did realize that when it comes down to it, essentially faith, family, and friends are the genuine joys of life. Mrs. Fiela truly is an inspiration and the epitome of a woman I strive to be and I am more than blessed to be able to spend this special time with her throughout this trip.

"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.

"See Everything Possible" by Lauren Shuler

Top Ten Things You Must Do While in Cape Town:

1. You must hike up Table Mountain. Yes it is a struggle, but the view from the top is absolutely breathtaking.

2. You must dance to the song “Stereo Love” at a bar Long Street. Everybody goes crazy when this song comes on.

3. You must try springbok. While it sounds gross at first, it is actually delicious and taste like pot roast.

4. You must bungee off Bloukrans Bridge. It is the world’s tallest bungee and an adrenaline rush like nothing you have ever felt.

5. You must visit Robben Island. With the apartheid being such a big part of South Africa’s history, you must go see where Nelson Mandela spent most of his time imprisoned.

6. You must ride an elephant. It is amazing to see these massive animals close up. Riding one is a chance of a lifetime.

7. You must visit the Green Market. It is full of great souvenirs. It has everything you could imagine from tapestries to funky tribal jewelry to fun colorful African tunics. Make sure to bargain well with the vendors.

8. You must go eat brunch at Manna Epicure on Kloof Street. This local bakery is decorated so cute and the eggs are to die for. Also they have great homemade bread. YUM.

9. Enjoy an amazing cup of African coffee. Everywhere I go the coffee is so good I can’t get enough of it!

10. Go to Franschhoek wine lands and visit a vineyard. It is a such a cute little town and the drive from there to Cape Town is something out of movie it is so beautiful. It is such a neat experience to get to see how all the wine is made and tasting it is fun too!

"My Top 10" by Emily Roach

My Top 10 Favorite Memories from Cape Town Week 2:

1. Reaching the top of Table Mountain, and being greeted with a slushy from one of my friends. The slushy and the view fostered an environment perfect for reflection and a new found respect for my foreign environment.

2. Watching Rugby in a local bar. I met a student who attends my university, and loved watching a thrilling, aggressive, sport.

3. Meeting Nelson Mandela’s former cell mate on Robben Island. He opened up and shared with our group the ways he smuggled news into the prison, and the mindset he kept in order to survive. His story caused me to reflect on how blessed I am to live in such a wonderful and free society.

4. Spending the night in Sir Lowry’s Pass. My house mom, Miss Sus, was immediately hospitable upon my arrival. She withheld no information and cooked an incredible pasta dish for supper.

5. Meeting an extremely smart 12-year-old boy in Sir Lowry’s Pass. He had interests in my home, reading, and the sounds of New York City, that I often forget to cherish. He was different from the other children. He hated rugby, and said he had more fun learning. This is rare in American children, and we should all learn from his passion.

6. Going to the vineyard in Franschhoek. We met the owners of the vineyard, and learned the proper way to taste wine, and differentiate the various tastes. My group, the Bafana Bafanas, bonded while tasting the unique wines.

7. The Darius Goes West video. If you haven’t seen Darius Goes West, you should. Seriously, YouTube it. The video is inspiring, and will make everyone reconsider the way they treat others.

8. Bartering in the Green Market. Today, Monday, I went to the local market where vendors sell souvenirs like soccer jerseys, jewelry and tapestries. My dad is a lawyer, and my mom has always said that I am clearly my “father’s daughter.” Today, I understood our similarities. I loved bartering with the locals and working the vendors down to my desired prices.

9. Watching the sunset from my balcony at Lagoon Beach. Two of my favorite things are the beach and boating. This week, I have a point to pay more attention to the sunset. Last day, I saw a sail boat fading into the distance and the sun slipped behind the horizon. While it sounds cliché, it was one of the most poetic scenes I have ever witnessed.

10. Seeing the entire global lead group out at Cubanas. Cubanas is a “salsa dancing” bar in Cape Town. While I never actually saw people salsa dancing, I saw every person from Global L.E.A.D, and finally realized that I have made one hundred new friends in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

“Caging My Fears” by Claire McDonald

Nothing can send someone an adrenaline rush when you’re swimming in the ocean and you think you see a shark fin in the distance. So, how do you think I felt floating in a cage with an undersized wetsuit staring one in the face? Interesting, to say the least.

Sharks have never been my cup of tea. Even when I was younger on beach trips, I was always paranoid that I would get eaten. When I heard we were going to go shark cage diving, there was a huge part of me that had absolutely no desire to go, and seeing that I had an option, I highly considered skipping. However, I knew it was something I was going to regret if I didn’t do it. After a 5 AM wake up call and a two-hour bus ride, it was time to go. I was anxious on the boat ride out, and made the ultimate decision that I would go in the first group, just to get rid of my anxiety. It ended up being the best decision ever.

I put on an incredibly smelly wetsuit and snorkel and hopped in the cage. Almost immediately, one of the members of the crew told me to go under and look straight ahead. Not even ten feet ahead of me was the biggest great white shark I had ever seen. Granted, I don’t think I’ve actually ever seen one in person, but it was still huge. For the next twenty minutes or so, I saw sharks up close and personal. The crew even drew the shark in so close that I could almost feel its tail whipping towards me. Needless to say, I’m so glad I faced my fear and took advantage of this opportunity. If given the chance, I would definitely do it again.

“Pay It Forward” by Madeline Tanner

So far, my time here in Capetown has been unreal. It’s only 2 weeks into the trip and I have experienced so many different things, overcame more obstacles, and seen more beautiful places than I have in my lifetime. One of my favorite parts of the trip so far has been the lectures. Hearing about the impact others have made in the world really encourages me (and I’m sure most everyone else on this trip) to make an impact in the world. After we spent the night in Sir Lowry’s Pass, we were all given 10 Rand during our lecture and were told to add, multiply, subtract or divide this money to do something for someone else. The father at the house in the township that I stayed in had told me that some of the children have to be sponsored to go to school. So my goal for paying it forward? Anonymously sponsor a child in Sir Lowry’s Pass to go to school. Wish me luck!

"Life is Adventure" by Andrew Meaney

A quick recap of my 2^nd week in Cape Town…

Monday – 3 pet birds (Lorenzo, Dubs, and J Cole) and 4 noise complaints later… and we’re still allowed to stay at the hotel.

Tuesday – Snowboarding… on sand dunes. We made ramps, slid down on our butts, and just had one heck of a good time out there with some friends. Our guide, Christo, decided to show off for us by jumping off this huge drop he had never done before and probably getting about 3 or 4 meters in the air. Unfortunately, he ate it... hard. Next was Groves, a first time sandboarder who landed the same jump to perfection.

Wednesday – WOW. We started the day off at 6:30am with a brisk hike up Table Mountain – much more difficult than many of us anticipated, but it made us appreciate the unbelievable views much more once we reached the top. We hiked above the clouds to create our bucket lists that had no limits.

Thursday – A dozen of us did something we never thought we would do today – we jumped out of a plane! I felt like a little kid again and was laughing uncontrollably the whole 30 seconds that I was free falling before the parachute deployed. The best duo to go up in the plane together had to have been Katy and Graham. Katy was extremely scared before going, so Graham was inevitably the best partner to calm her down on the 10,000 ft. flight up. They both got videos, and Katy’s showed her fear since she was holding on to her harness for dear life the entire descent until she touched solid ground. But she did it! Graham’s video is priceless as well, and everyone on Global LEAD should watch it sometime before leaving the country. Put it on the bucket list.

Friday – This is the day we visited Robben Island, the place where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, and we were showed around by his cell mate, Ahmed Kathrada. He educated us on what it was like to live in that jail for 18 years and described Robben Island as a microcosm of apartheid in South Africa. Kathrada is an Indian whereas Mandela is a colored man, and they received differential treatment, even in jail. Ahmed Kathrada would get ¼ loaf of bread a day. Mandela would get none. Kathrada was allowed to wear pants whereas Mandela was required to wear shorts. Hearing Kathrada talk really hit home and showed me how prevalent and real apartheid was, even in the isolation of Robben Island.

Saturday – The majority of the Springboks traveled to Cape Point yesterday, the destination where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans collide. This was an extremely rugged and beautiful place with gorgeous views of mountains butting up against the edges of the water. One of the highlights of this trip occurred as we were leaving the Cape of Good Hope to go up to the lighthouse for some better views of the area. We saw a baboon that came close to us and decided to take some pictures. The baboon zoomed right past us, heading straight for an unsuspecting van where he jumped through the driver side window. The best part is that the baboon invaded the car right over a sleeping Asian man who bolted out of the door as soon as he awoke and realized that a baboon was in his van eating his food! The Asian fellow opened up all the doors and tried to beat the baboon out with a jacket – an effective way to piss off a wild monkey and encourage him to eat the rest of the food in your car. This went on for a good 5 minutes, and much of the madness was captured in pictures by the 50 of us surrounding the car.

It has been a fairly fun week to say the least…

"Into the Wild" by Will Badcock

We have just finished our second full week here in Cape Town and the adventures never end. My two newest adventures came this past weekend and they did not disappoint. First, we made the trek to Cape Point on Saturday to witness what happens when two oceans collide. Let me tell you, the sight was….. not a Fantasia moment. There were no giant collisions of differing tides or huge walls of water that came crashing down around us, but it was an extremely beautiful view. I took loads of pictures of the scenery but no picture will ever do the sight justice.

But, the view and standing at the Cape of Good Hope was not the adventure.

No, the adventure began when we were heading back to the bus and I saw a baboon running across the parking lot. I watched it run up to a white van then jump into the driver seat via the open window. The snoozing Asian man in the driver seat looked as if he would jump out of his skin when he realized what had happened and flung himself out of the car as fast as he could. The baboon didn’t care that he had disturbed the man’s nap; he had smelled food and he was hungry. The baboon climbed into the backseat where he began to open bags of chips and other assorted foods and then proceeded to chow down. It took about 10 minutes to get the baboon out of the van and when he finally did get out, he took a pack of crackers for the road.

My most recent adventure occurred Sunday when 43 of us woke up before dawn to drive 2 hours all so we could get in the freezing Indian Ocean with countless Great White Sharks. These animals are enormous. They exude power and efficiency; and being less than 5 feet from them underwater is quite an experience.

“Live Out Loud” By: Melissa Guidry

My three-word shout out “Live Out Loud” has been my theme this entire trip, to do everything possible with not regrets. Well today was no exception on our visit to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. I kept pushing my boundaries and took risk, like scaling the side of a cliff to get to a point I wanted to go, and I wouldn’t have enjoyed the moment as much if I hadn’t.
The view was indescribable. My camera could never truly capture the beauty of this land. So instead of focusing on what my camera couldn’t do, I did what I could: enjoy the moment and the beauty surrounding me.

We even saw penguins today and had a close encounter with an ostrich! But the real treats were the baboons! Our first encounter, several baboons took the leisure of relaxing… on the middle of the road! My second encounter was at Cape Point when I was returning to the bus. I had just bought a can of soda, and the cashier told me to hide my can because the baboons love soda. I thought nothing of it until I saw a baboon grab on to Samantha as she walked by! They were so entertaining.

So, in my every attempt to live out loud, I try to live out what I think would be fun… fyi they really are fun. I try to not focus on what’s to be put on facebook but what’s right in front of me. And I try to make the best of every situation by exploring all the possibilities that can exist.
I have no regrets of “I wish I would have done that”, and I can only hope the other people on this trip are doing the same because this—being in amazing Cape Town, South Africa with 100 other students—we will never experience again. I almost can’t believe this experience is real and already half way done.

So thanks Global LEAD for the amazing time so far, I look forward to the next half being just as incredible.

"40 More Minutes..." By: Matt Barlow

So far my experience in South Africa has been unreal from day one. Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and is never boring. I could write a novel about all we have done and seen, but I will try to shorten everything into five unforgettable memories for the sake of this costly internet.
1. Adventure week. Getting the chance to bungee jump, ride an
elephant, quad bike, go dolphin viewing, go on a safari and almost get
trampled by a herd of elephants, zip line through South African gorges,
get a “kiss” from an ostrich, and crawl through the Congo Caves all in
one week.
2. The scenery. There are countless amazing views around every
corner. Pictures cannot even describe what I am getting the chance to
experience personally.
3. Table Mountain. Hiking up the rigorous terrain in order to look
over all of Cape Town.
4. Robben Island. Getting the chance to meet Nelson Mandela’s cell
mate and absorb all that he had to say along with experiencing all the
history that Robben Island displays.
5. Service. My favorite part of the trip so far hands down. Going
to Sir Lowry’s Pass and living with a family there was truly humbling.
They showed me happiness is not in the form of materials, but in the
three most important things in life: faith, family, and friends.

"Most Interesting" By: Blake Porche

Coming to South Africa, I didn't know much history or information about the country, and pretty much nothing about the people from here. After an overly exciting adventure week, I had experienced thrills I never have and some of the best hostiles/bars in the world. The first week back to the Lagoon has been informing in lectures, but the most interesting day has been the trip to Robben Island. Getting toured by Nelson Mandela's cellmate was a great experience, and I feel as though we got an inside peak which most people don't get to experience. From learning the entire history of the apartheid and also seeing how a leader in politics at the time viewed it all was the most I've learned since I've been here (no offense teachers).

"Just Another Day" By: Tyler Mobley

The day started off with what I thought to be a nice, easy stroll up Table Mountain at sunrise. I was wrong. It was a rigorous two hour hike straight up a mountain. I haven't done physical activity like that since football back in high school. The hike was well worth it. When arriving to the top absolutely exhausted we were met with one of the most beautiful views my eyes have witnessed.

The next part of my day was skydiving. Within twenty minutes of getting back to the hotel from table mountain, I was on a bus heading to the skydiving site. In the bus I was terrified. I have never been to good with heights and was absolutely regretting my decision to sign up for this. Somewhere between the bus and arriving to the site my nervous feelings turned to excitement. After talking with the people I felt completely comfortable and was eager to get in the plane and dive. It was amazing. The whole time falling I felt like a five year old on Christmas morning. It was one of the best experiences of my life and something I definitely plan on doing again.

The next part of my incredible day was a trip to a casino. Arriving at the Grand West was like arriving at disney world and I spent equally as much money. After an hour of texas hold em I was out of the money that I felt comfortable losing. Thankfully I was smart enough to cut it off then. Not everybody in the group was as lucky.

The day had to eventually come to an end. I arrived back at the hotel around 2:30 AM. I laid and bed and reflected on the day I had. Before I could begin to think back on the day my alarm was going off. It was time to begin yet another day.

"Thoughts on Capetown" By: Chelsea Biele

After being in Cape Town for only 12 days, I have already learned that taking action is the only way to truly make the most of the trip.

C is for conquer.
Just 2 days ago, our entire group of 100 plus students climbed all the way to the top of Table Mountain- that’s 3,563 feet or 1,086 meters in elevation! It was truly an accomplishment to look out and see just how high we had climbed.
A is for adapt.
Being over 8,100 miles away from home in the U.S., we have had to adjust to a new environment with different ideals, social norms, and ways of life. Adapting to be accepted here has been a challenge when others stereotype you as “obnoxious, un-educated, drunk Americans”. (direct quote from Jürgan the German)
P is for persevere.
Today, we visited Robben Island with special guest accompanying us-Nelson Mandela’s cellmate for 18 years. He shared his experience and demonstrated how both are truly living examples of what it means to never give up. Instead of repeating the cycle of violence that stemmed from the Apartheid, the men survived the hardship of imprisonment, rose above it, and did not seek revenge, but instead made positive change.
E is for explore.
Cape Town has so much to offer whether it is the shopping, dining, or nightlife. We have ventured to the Green Market to haggle for some trinkets as well as tested out as many restaurants and bars as possible. There is no time to waste when there is a new discovery around every corner.
T is for test.
At the core of this trip has been to do something out of your comfort zone and truly test your limits. I’ve already gotten to pet a baby cheetah and spend the night in a township, which are things I never would have foreseen myself doing. Skydiving, shark cage diving, bungee jumping, and elephant riding are on the list for next week.
O is for offer.
We spent the entire week last week learning the true meaning of giving in Sir Lowry’s Pass. I really got to know my family through storytelling, dancing, and rapping all night long. I was able to offer them my knowledge and encouragement as well as show them love.
W is for wonder.
For lunch yesterday, some of us walked to the lighthouse and ate at Maestro’s right on the water. We had a perfect view of Table Mountain and the entire city of Cape Town. It is important to stop and admire the scenery because otherwise you’ll miss out on one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
N is for navigate.
After learning the Power of Living, Giving, Wow, and Now, I have realized how important it is to figure out what I want to do in life. The only way to get there is by plotting a course to follow. Whether or not that course has it’s detours will only make the voyage that much more interesting.

“Prove Yourself Wrong” By: Helen King

“Do you think I could go on this trip and not skydive because you know me and that. ain’t. happenin.” This exact sentence was what was written in the e-mail I sent to my parents above the link to Global L.E.A.D Cape Town. My parents replied later that day, assuring me that no one would make me do anything I was not comfortable with. So, with my parents’ support and my love for great white sharks biting at my heels (literally?), I decided to sign up for the trip. To this day, I am not really sure why I did. I have always been an overly cautious person and have felt strongly about what I did not want to do: no roller coasters, no cruises, no plane rides (which never seemed to stop my parents from booking transatlantic flights for the family sans discussion), among other things I was not willing to do, but CERTAINLY I was NEVER going to skydive. Have you seen those shows were the parachute doesn’t open and people die? Well, I have so count. me. out.

Well, I did sign up for the trip and I did fly over 20 hours in a plane over the course of one (maybe two? …I lost track) days. (Side note: can’t Delta just order Domino’s for the whole flight and call it a day? )

Since I first arrived in Cape Town, my view of myself has changed drastically. I spent the night in a township on a dollar a day, danced with creepy South Africans at a club (for about 2 seconds, but it counts!), and climbed Table Mountain (the most rigorous, but rewarding hikes of my life). And none of it was that bad (okay, maybe the South African dancing part). But, most importantly, I skydived. I did the thing that I said I would never, ever do. And it was definitely one of the best moments of my life. Not only was the feeling and experience incredible, but most importantly, I proved myself wrong. I thought I could never do it and I did. So, take that, self!

"Stop at Steers" By: Scott Franzen

The experience of Cape Town thus far has been too great to sum up into a small blog. The trip has been full of highs and lows, and for my blog I have chosen to share a few of my top emotional highs with all of you reading this at home:

Top 10 Emotional Highs:
1.) Bungee jumping – one of the most peaceful, liberating experiences of my life
2.) Cage diving with great whites – getting over my biggest fear…sharks
3.) Sunset cruise – the scenic view of Table Mountain
4.) Hiking table mountain – overcoming physical barriers to reach an incredible view of the city
5.) Meeting Nelson Mandela’s cellmate – never in my life have I been so humbled by this tour of Robben Island
6.) Having our van surrounded by elephants on the safari – an overwhelming vision of the power of nature
7.) Our night spent in Sir Lowry’s Pass – I have never been so thankful for the simple luxuries of life
8.) Caving – an adventurous experience into history
9.) 6 Hour car rides on adventure week – I was able to make new friendships and share experiences
10.) Meeting Wesley at the hostel – a true symbol of South African Hospitality and a mirror to model myself after

So far, my time at Cape Town cannot possibly be written down in words, but I believe these 10 key points have been the most memorable of them all. My experiences here are far from over and I know that I have many more emotional highs to come, especially with service week in my near future. I know that when time comes for me to return to the US I will not be ready, and I can only hope that I will experience all that is key to have a true South African experience.

"Take a Stand" By: Meagan Bourne

We had heard of Nelson Mandela, seen the movie Invictus, and learned about apartheid. The next step was to take a trip to Robben Island where he was held prisoner for 28 years. However, it wouldn’t be just any trip to the Island. We would have our tour guided by Nelson Mandela’s prison mate, Ahmed Kathrada.

The day started with a short film about Nelson Mandela followed by two guest speakers. Then around 12:00 we loaded the buses where we arrived at the V&A Waterfront for a 1:00 departure to Robben Island. When we arrived, we made our way through the prison passing by each individual cell, not much bigger than a closet. Passing by Mandela’s cell, it was hard to imagine spending so many years there and then going on to lead a country towards equality. At the end of the cells, we all gathered in a larger room and listened to Kathrada’s recollection of his time spent in the prison. As he talked about chiseling rocks during the day, going to church on Sundays, and bartering for any piece of news they could find, it was unbelievable to think of the journey he and Mandela had gone through.

Sitting on the ferry back to Cape Town, I realized that sitting right behind me was Nelson Mandela’s prison mate talking to the granddaughter of a past African National Congress president while a Pulitzer Prize winning author was standing just a few feet away from them (these were the two guest speakers from this morning). It was an incredible and privileged experience that I will remember forever. So, my three words to the world are “Take a stand.” Even when the prisoners were arrested and thought they were facing the death sentence, they never stopped fighting for what they believed and became important figures to change South Africa forever.

“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

"My Summer 2k10 Dominates all others" By: Julia Ezell

Words can truly not describe the past 13 days and all that they have entailed. Although that statement seems quite cliché, I honestly can’t think of any other way of wording it and I know most others on Global LEAD will say the same. From the initial 24+ hours of traveling to climbing up Table Mountain, the past week and a half in Cape Town, ZA has made my summer 2k10 dominate all others. As if adventure week with bungee jumping, talking elephants, and a Will Ferrell look alike tour guide wasn’t exciting enough, the instant bonds and friendships I formed with the rest of my group was even more special and exhilarating. The second part of my experience has consisted of singing and dancing to nineties’ jams in Dubliners, rave dancing in Chrome, living off a “dollar a day” in Sir Lowry’s Pass, climbing up the Table Mountain, and learning about the different aspects of leadership and life with speeches on Wow, Now, Giving, and Living. All these activities have all been equally rewarding and exciting but each with differing aspects. While I can only hope that the rest of my experience will be half as fun and rewarding as the first 13 days, but I feel as though that it will more than likely be just as amazing if not, even more awesome.

Now, for my lesson on the efficient way to ride an ostrich:
1. Do not be intimidated by this bird’s giant size; considering its brain is smaller than one of its eyeballs, it’s more than likely more scared of you than you are it.
2. In order to keep the icky feathers off of you, a pair of leggings or long pants is essential for the riding experience.
3. In order to maintain stability on the ostrich when it’s frolicking through the pin, you MUST grip its wings with as much strength as possible. Make sure not to grip just the feathers or else you will end up like Devon did and fall on your face.
4. In addition to holding onto the wings, tightly wrapping your legs around the ostrich’s body is essential for keeping composure while riding at a fast pace.
5. Lastly, when the strange men pushing the ostrich around the pin begin to yell “Let go,” take immediate action and release all force from the ostrich. This is the most important step; they get angry if you’re hesitant.
SOUTH AFRICA IS WAF!

"Don’t Believe It" By: Kent Cawley

Yesterday morning we hiked a portion of Table Mountain. That was an incredible experience. We hiked for over an hour on some very rough terrain, but it was definitely worth it once we reached the top. The picture I included was a picture from a look out spot on top of Table Mountain. Don’t believe what you see in this picture because this picture does not really capture what we saw up on Table Mountain. The picture can only describe a piece of the magnificence we experienced. This is one of my favorite experiences on this study abroad thus far. It was awesome to see Cape Town from the top, and I would say that this is definitely one of the must see/do things in South Africa.

"The Climb up Table" By: Jack Austin

Since entering the exciting country of South Africa, everyone in Global Lead has been going nonstop, whether its bungee jumping off Bloukrans Bridge, the highest commercial bungee jump in the world, or spending the week in the township creating lasting relationships with many of the children. Today, our focus was on the “power of wow,” and to truly experience this, our wonderful directors decided to get us up bright and early this morning at six to hike up Table Mountain. After finally gathering everyone together on the buses and driving over to the right trail (which took a few tries), we began our hike right at the crack of dawn. After a few hundred feet I could already feel the fatigue settling in. I pushed through, however, and after many stops and turning around for incredible views, I finally prevailed over the seemingly never-ending hike and reached the top. Now I was curious to see why these crazy directors woke us up so early for this exhausting hike at sunrise, so I staggered to the side of the mountain and looked over the edge. The only word that came to mind was “wow.” The view over Cape Town was breathtaking and you could see for miles. Now I understood why we attempted this treacherous hike.

"WOW...What a View!" By: Elizabeth Weaver

Today’s Global LEAD theme was The Power of WOW…and what a WOW day it was! We woke up before the sun with a mission to climb Table Mountain. After admiring it’s majesty from the ground for over a week, it was time for us to conquer it. We arrived at the base of the mountain in time to see a beautifully clear sunrise and began our ascent. All one hundred plus of us climbed single file, one step at a time, up the treacherous mount. We huffed and we puffed, cheered each other on, and kept our eyes on the prize of what we heard was an unbeatable view. Anywhere from one to two hours later, we reached our finish line: an indescribably magnificent view of what seemed to be the entire universe. We were on top of the world!...and we could do anything. Embracing this moment of inspiration, our Global LEAD assignment was to write a 50-item life bucket list. Scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef, start our own restaurant, drive a Ferrari, we wanted to do it all. We took the cable car down for what was a much faster, though less satisfying ride down the mountain. And those bucket lists? Some of us didn’t waste any time....

Immediately following our hike, 14 of my fellow mountain climbers and I hopped into a taxi and headed over to accomplish a goal we had all included in our ambitious bucket lists. We were about to skydive out of a plane at 9,000 feet (three times the height of our previous summit of Table Mountain)… as if the morning had not been thrilling enough! Legs shaking, heart racing, and brain telling me I was defying all common sense, I knew there was no turning back. The ride was incredible. We were on top of the world...for the second time today!

Incredible. Breathtaking. Unbelievable. All of these words attempt to describe our experience in Cape Town today….but really, the whole day was just one big WOW. We started the day going up into the clouds and ended it by falling out of them. My life in three words today? WHAT A VIEW!

“Open to New Experiences” By: Kate Moore

After a great adventure week to kick off our Cape Town trip, I think it is safe to say that most of us could not imagine how starting class the next Monday could possibly compare to the adventures of the previous week. As our first session came to an end, we were surprised with plans for the night that we were not expecting – we were going to be staying in the township over night. While learning that we were going to be spending the night at Sir Lowry’s Pass brought about mixed feelings, I could tell that our service week was going to be just as, if not more exciting than the week before. As our buses pulled up to Sir Lowry’s Pass, we were immediately greeted by a crowd of smiling children who were so excited to see us even though they had never met us before. The afternoon and night that I spent with my soup mother and her children proved to by far the best experience of my time here in Cape Town so far and I can’t wait to spend more time at the township next week!

My top five moments at the township so far:
1. Walking up to the house with my soup mother and her grandchildren and being greeted by her youngest granddaughter waiting at the fence with the biggest smile, wanting to be hugged immediately.
2. Reliving my childhood by playing games all afternoon and night with the children, their cousins and their friends. My personal favorites were playing “hairdresser”, “3 Sticks” and “Simon Says”!
3. Sitting around the living room spending time with their extended family, including the grandparents, grandchildren and cousins, and enjoying conversation and dinner together. It was really refreshing to see the importance at which they held the closeness of their family and the quality of the time that they spend together regardless of their circumstances that may not seem ideal to many of us.
4. Learning several new words in Afrikaans from the girls in turn being laughed at when we attempted to say them, no matter how many times we tried!
5. As we were leaving and the kids were walking to the bus stop, the girls from a neighboring house went out of her way to yell our names so that she could say bye. It was great to see that the kids enjoyed the time that we spent with them just as much as we did, and I am even more excited to get to spend more time with everyone at the Sir Lowry’s Pass next week!

"What A View!" By: Sidney Sanders

Today, groggily, wiping the sleep out of our eyes, 104+ American students arrived at the base of Cape Town’s looming protector, Table Mountain. Equipped with sloshing water bottles and paper, we set out to overcome the ominous land form before us. With each step, we soon discovered that this relaxing sunrise hike was not what we expected, at all! Personally, I can affirmatively say I was dripping sweat by 10 minutes into our endeavor. As the sun rose higher and higher, we followed suit, making our way up the rocky slope. As we rose above the clouds, I thought for sure that we had reached Heaven and would perhaps see God himself. In fact, I would argue to say that in fact, we did. When we finally reached the summit, several thousand feet up, I finally collected my thoughts, and my breath for that matter, and embraced the opportunity to examine my surroundings. My breathing was with me only momentarily before it was taken from me again, but this time, in a more pleasurable way. The view from the top was one of the most picturesque sights I have ever seen. I was in awe of the clouds floating around us, the waves crashing ashore far below, the city—represented only by tiny colorful dots, and the large number of Global L.E.A.D.ers huddled together at the top. It was in this moment I realized that the sweat, blood, and tears (that may be a slight exaggeration, but maybe not) were worth every second. I felt a sense of triumph. I felt proud—proud of myself partially, but mostly, proud of the group as a whole. We had done it, all 104+ of us! This was no simple feat, but together, we had encouraged each other all the way up. We each traveled at our own pace, but in the end, we came together again. In this moment, the lesson for the day, “The Power of WOW!”, hit home, and hard. “Wow!” came to mind several times during this trek. Wow…are we really about to hike this mountain? Wow…this is tough! Wow…I don’t know if I can do this! Wow…I did it! Wow…what a view!

"Power of Story" By: Greta Spangenberg

The art of storytelling is endlessly instructive and has the power to launch the mind back through time during which we render order to the events of our lives, pronounce our decisions right or wrong, and ultimately explain ourselves to ourselves. The beauty of storytelling lies in its teachings and its rare ability to instigate radical change and advocate positive action.

On Tuesday, we traveled to the townships where I was forced to confront a change in my lifestyle, not just because of where I was, but also because of whom I was with and what I was doing. Most importantly, I owe my new found understanding of what it means to make something beautiful of your life to Miss Cheryl, my housemother for the evening, who is a woman that I will forever associate with the purest form of wonderful.

As I listened to her stories, I was captivated by her heart-wrenching words and deeply moved by her enduring edifice of character. In my own definition of what it means to be a woman, Miss Cheryl was exactly that, for she embodies everything that I hope to someday become. She is the glue that holds together her family and her neighborhood. Not a day goes by that she does not bring joy into the lives of others and I feel truly blessed and forever grateful to say that she has done so to mine. I learned several invaluable lessons during my time there, but my nugget to take a way from this experience is this:

An appreciation of our limited tenure on this earth is essential to understanding the self and the world we inhabit. By finding value in the wisdom bestowed upon us by others, whether it is in the form of a story or a simple conversation, we are given the most precious of gifts. Life, after all, is about giving, not receiving, and it is vital that we see ourselves on the same level as everyone else, for we all worthy of such love, trust, and respect.

"How Do you Truly Live Before Dying?" By: Lauren Howell

“How do you truly live before you die?” I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this question. Jumping off the highest commercial bungee in the world last week prompted the answer “Face Fear” (though I was too cheap to buy the t-shirt), while living off of a dollar and sleeping in the township yesterday prompted the answer “Reach Out.” Already, I feel like I’ve found lots of ways to “truly live” here in South Africa—whether it’s been taking a not-so-wild ride on a sleepy elephant or an exhilarating zip-line over Tstisikamma Falls, in nine short days this trip has transported me far and away from my normal comfort zone. And I’m not just talking about Adventure Week, either—coming into this experience only knowing four people amidst over a hundred Georgia Bulldogs was really intimidating at first! It’s becoming increasingly clearer to me that foreign experiences like these are what really allow you to grow as a person and experience life to the fullest.

In the township last night, I had the opportunity to stay with a family where one of the daughters was my own age. We talked for a while, and actually had a lot in common—but unlike me, after high school she had to go straight to work to help support her family. While the reality is that 98% of the world doesn’t get a chance to obtain a higher education, most of us on this trip can’t imagine not having college as an option. Spending the evening with someone my own age and talking to her about her responsibilities at work, as well as her dreams for the future, was a blatant reminder of how lucky I am to feel like I have so many options for the future.

What I took away from spending the night in Lowry’s Pass last night was a profound sense of gratitude—for everything I haven’t had to think twice about growing up (food, shelter, clothing), for a solid family support system, and for the boundless opportunities I’ve been handed, no questions asked, since day one. The families living in the township are often forced to ignore these needs and possibilities and worry about mere survival—something I certainly take for granted when I claim I’m “starving” in between meals or have “nothing to wear” in my closet. The fact that the families I met were constantly laughing, playing in the street together, and sharing what little they do have not only made me appreciate my blessings, but also shed light on how prioritizing relationships with family, friends, and the occasional stranger can make life so much sweeter.

“Reality Fosters Creativity (WAF or MAF)” By: Caroline Matte

As my roommates and I head out our apartment door to meet in the lobby for adventure week, I realize that I know absolutely nothing as to what I am doing that day. I climb in the van with my roommates and I take a seat in the back. I honestly thought that the car ride was 30 minutes; however, Gareth (our Will Ferrell tour guide) reveals that we have five hours of bonding time ahead of us. In the next five hours, I learn about everyone’s past and realize that my new friends are straight up comedians. Everyone played off each other’s stories and I woke up with a sore stomach the next day. Every time we got out of the van, even for gas, it was a humorous game of tag. Most of the time we were trying to find Gareth and he was always “trying to find us.” It always took an hour, regardless of how much Gareth jokingly threatened us. Some days, when everyone was tired from the long day of adventures, someone would start busting out laughing, and it became contagious. I feel like a laugh is the most memorable trait of someone as cliché as that is. “Reality fosters creativity,” because I feel like the best things are found through the simple ways of life (sitting in a van). I guess it wasn’t necessarily the adventures that drew me closer to these people; it was the ridiculous conversations that I will keep with me when I leave. I think not knowing where I was going or what I was really doing was part of my adventure in Cape Town, South Africa.