May 17th

Hello!
So today I had my second day of class. Yesterday was a lecture by Andrew Gibbs, a researcher at HEARD (HIV/AIDS Education and Research Division) about gender inequality and AIDS. I absolutely loved it, though the other girls much preferred the lecture today which was by a PhD student about sexual and reproductive health in South Africa. It has been really interesting doing the readings and learning more about this fabulous country :) All the girls are really great at engaging in discussion and I feel like I am discovering ideas and perspectives that are shaping my ideas for what I want to do professionally.

Tomorrow is a holiday because it is the national elections, which given South Africa's history are a big deal. The ANC (African National Congress) which was a major player in the fight against apartheid has remained in power since the onset of democracy with Nelson Mandela in 1994 is likely to win again. Everyone we've talked to on campus seems to be voting for them. They have such a vibrant sense of their civic duty to vote in this country! To raise awareness about the different political parties, people will drive around in brightly coloured cars, honking their horns and playing loud music with people dressed in bright clothing hanging out the windows. It is almost like a parade! It is something I am really jealous of. That and their incredibly liberal constitution here. Second generation rights (such as the right to clean water) are entrenched in their constitution, making it the most progressive constitution in the world. I think that's awesome :) However, implementation is where the problems are created. I am curious to see whether the new government will tackle problems of health, education, and access to clean water (all of which are sorely lacking).

On Sunday a few of the girls and myself took a cab down to the city (because we are living in a fairly wealthy suburb about a 15 minute cab ride from the centre) to go shopping in a mall which was built in an old factory. It was so cool! There was a man playing ragtime music on an old piano in the middle of the mall. I was obviously in love :) Then we walked to city hall to see the natural history museum, which was nothing special. The real experience was actually walking around in an African city. I have to admit, I was pretty nervous because of how much Western society (and people I know) have built up South Africa as a dangerous place, but honestly, it was fine. I look forward to going back again!

I continue my quest for real coffee. I have been living off instant coffee for a week, and every time I buy what seems to be a cup of regular coffee, it is either instant or full of milk. BLAAAH! However, if that's all I have to complain of, I'm pretty satisfied.

I'm planning on a quiet night tonight, doing my history readings for tomorrow (Professor Klausen is going to come to Hippo Hide at 11:30 and give us our lecture here). I have been feeling weird and antsy today, so I want to chill and try to kick it.

Love Heather