A Multitude of Drops

'Oh, you'll grow hoarse, poor & gray in caucuses! You'll be spat on, shot at, lynched, pacified with medals, spurned by backwoodsmen! Crucified! Naive, dreaming Adam. He who would do battle with the many-headed hydra of human nature must pay a world of pain & his family must pay it along with him! & only as you gasp your dying breath shall you understand, your life amounted to no more than one drop in a limitless ocean!'

Yet what is any ocean but a multitude of drops?

Cloud Atlas, 509

Today I finished Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. It has been one of my favorite movies since I saw it three times in one week last fall. So, of course I had to experience its conception as a novel. Right before I left for South Africa, I bought the book and have been making my way through it ever since. It has been the perfect companion for the beginning of my journey, and will continue to be on my mind for the rest of the semester. The quote above encapcualtes my feelings about my time here in South Africa. Whether in reference to the organization with which I will be working for the semester, the classes I will attend at UWC, or the various adventures on which I will embark, each moment is a drop in mine and the world's ocean. And all these drops cummulate to form my experience here, and contribute to the wider human experience as well. As I was discerning a calling to study in South Africa for the semester, many people questioned my intent on coming to Africa. They asked questions like, "Why Africa, why not someplace nice like Europe?" or "Won't that be dangerous?" and "Where will you live?" I bring this up not to make mockery of these questions because I, too, asked these questions of myself. Yeah, why not Europe? Europe is awesome and has so many places to travel. Indeed it does, and I hope to visit there someday as well. But there was no knot in my chest aching for Europe. Yes, Cape Town is dangerous, but so is every other major city in the world.  I live in a house with 19 other people in a neighborhood outside of Cape Town. It is an amazing community to which I am excited to belong. We have electricty, running water, and pretty much all the amenities I am used to in the United States. To be honest, I do not know exactly where my conviction to be in this place at this time came from. There was something calling me to go where I had never considered before. There was something calling me to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. There was something calling me to say yes despite all my doubts, fears, and anxities. And here I am. And I am trying to make every drop count.

Drop: Abseiling at Smalblaar Canyon

Strapped in and ready to make my descent

Abseiling, also know as rappeling, also know as canyoning last weekend was my favorite day of my time here so far. We were picked up at 6am and driven an hour to our secluded destination hidden in the farming mountains. Even though most of the morning was frigid due to fog, mist, and clouds, I could not deny the beauty of my surroundings. Throughout the day, I rappeled down 5 different waterfalls, hiked on the rocky formations, and bonded with my housemates. 

Some of the waterfalls were extra slippery 

This descent was within the path of the waterfall ending in a swimming hole at the bottom

The water was so clean and clear that we drank directly from the river. Our guides were such awesome people, and I am so glad I was able to spend the day learning from, talking with, and joking with them. We ended our day back on top of the mountain with cold beer and laughs.

Drop: Hiking Lion's Head

Sunday morning three of us headed out early to hike the easiest of the three peaks closest to us (Lion's Head). The other two had already completed this hike once before, but it was my first time up Lion's Head. Although it was not a particularly difficult hike, we went along at a fast clip and were drenched in sweat by the time we reached the top. The trail was crowded with hikers, but an amazing view of the ocean, a slight breeze, and a cloudless sky made the trek exceptionally enjoyable. 

View from atop Lion's Head

Hannah, Duke, and Me

Drop: Truth Coffee Roasting 
If you know me, you know I like my coffee. Truth Coffee Roasting on Buitenkant Street in Cape Town is the most unique coffee house I have ever stepped into. The steampunk-themed roasting house encompasses a large space with exposed pipes, unique design, and an eccentric staff. The cappuccino I sipped was most delectable compared to the instant coffee I have been downing every morning. Needless to say, I will been spending more time...a lot more time at Truth. 

Drop: First Full Day at iTemba Labantu

My first day at iTemba Labantu was full of smiles, funny looks, and many many languages. Because the morning program only has three children at the moment, I spent most of my day alongside Nina, a longterm German volunteer around my same age. She has been with iTemba Labantu since September and is such a sweet person. Because the oganization is of German origin, many of the directors and volunteers speak German. However, many of the children and people coming to access services speak Xhosa. Basically, I did not always understand what was happening. But it really did not bother me that much. Watching people interact without focusing on what he or she was saying was incredibly interesting. In the afternoon I was paired with two boys, Anam and Sithambele. I will be tutoring them for the rest of the semester, but our first encounter was filled more with laughs, unsure shyness, and getting to know eachother than studying. 

Drop: Get Fit South Africa
One of the unexpected perks of living with 19 other people has been a constant flow of motivation. We going running together. We do insane ab work outs together. We practice yoga together. We cook together. Being in a house of active, health conscious, and motivated individuals has been an amazing experience. Everyone is doing something different, and therefore we all learn from one another.

Drop: First Class of Rural Sustianable Livelihoods
Today was my first class of a geography course called Rural Sustainable Livelihoods. I was intrigued from the moment the class began until the very end. We talked about the different areas in South Africa, the historical context of geography and apartheid, and the way we define terms versus the multiple layers hiding below each word. Listening to the professor speak of places I did not recognize and historical events I did not know made me want to run up to her and ask where I could acquire a large and detailed map of South Africa. It made me want to ask every South African what the best books to read about their own history are. The academic within me leapt at the complexities of our discourse. I am thrilled to be in this class, and know it will challenge me in ways I will not expect. 

So many drops, so many moments in such a short time.
Yet what is any ocean but a multitude of drops?