I have been blessed to experience a lot of places within the past 10 years. However, nothing compares to my time in Cape Town, South Africa. That trip was extremely life changing for me as a young black woman. It allowed me set outside of my world and to see another. I had the chance to visit Nelson Mandela's prison cell, travel to the top of Table Mountain, watched the sun set over the ocean, slept at a beautiful house, and connect with the beautiful people of Langa.
Before my trip, many did not understand the purpose of my journey to Africa. Many shared their opinions with me about my decision and expressed how their support was not there. However, I worked hard to make this trip official and it has been my dream every since 2010. Visiting Africa has been one of my biggest accomplishments. I fell in love with the African culture the moment I stepped off the plane.
Some of my favorite memories were walking along side the ocean at night, standing high in the sky on a mountain facing the clouds, and visiting the oldest parts of the country and made friends there. I had the opportunity to put myself in the shoes of the Africans by visiting their homes which were made out of truck containers. It brought me to tears to see women gather together to fetch water with their buckets in their hands, no shoes on their feet and smiles on their faces. I never realized how ungrateful I was until I went on this trip. I have seen different levels of poverty in North America and Central America, but never to that magnitude.
My entire perspective on Africa has changed. I had the chance to also see Ethiopia while I was there. There is a big difference between reading about these places and actually visiting. Everyone I met was extremely intelligent and articulate. I held many conversations with the people about education, religion, politics, and their cultural views. It almost brought me to tears to hear a man tell me, "we just want you guys to come back home." The love I received in Africa was second to none. I just want to share some of my photos with you all on this amzing journey in my life. Enjoy!
