Today began with a lovely breakfast buffet, followed by five speakers. We had a briefing about what to expect in this country, we learned about the history, culture, and peoples, and we soaked up some research findings about teachers, teaching practices and assessment in South Africa. It was all very interesting, but would have been so much better if we'd had a real-live context to go with it. In other words (yawn! oh, sorry, did I say that out loud?!), by 1 p.m. we still had not stepped foot outside the door of ourhotel. Where IS Johannesburg?
We made up for it when we went to eat lunch at Gramadoelas (Khoi-San for African Valhalla) Restaurant, and then took another bus ride to Soweto where we visited with staff from the U.S. Embassy at the Rosa Parks library, drove past Winnie Mandela's home, and walked down Vilaka, the only street in the world where two Nobel Peace Prize winners have lived. Desmond Tutu still lives there and Nelson Mandela's former home has been turned into a museum.
And tonight, we talked our bus driver and guide into taking us to Naitonal Stadium to watch South Africa vs. Ghana! We bundled up in as many warm clothes as we could find in our suitcases, and experienced a football game in South Africa, complete with vuvuzela accompaniment! It was magnificent! And we won!
We made up for it when we went to eat lunch at Gramadoelas (Khoi-San for African Valhalla) Restaurant, and then took another bus ride to Soweto where we visited with staff from the U.S. Embassy at the Rosa Parks library, drove past Winnie Mandela's home, and walked down Vilaka, the only street in the world where two Nobel Peace Prize winners have lived. Desmond Tutu still lives there and Nelson Mandela's former home has been turned into a museum.
And tonight, we talked our bus driver and guide into taking us to Naitonal Stadium to watch South Africa vs. Ghana! We bundled up in as many warm clothes as we could find in our suitcases, and experienced a football game in South Africa, complete with vuvuzela accompaniment! It was magnificent! And we won!
Wow, What a pic! That must have been amazing to be at!
ReplyDeleteIt was loud and COLD! But I hope you liked the phone call so you could hear it yourself!
ReplyDeletewhat have you been eating? I clicked the link for the restaurant and saw that they serve some type of worms as well as crocodile! Please take pictures of food!!
ReplyDeleteYes, they served worms and crocodile and ostrich. Sorry, but I had to pass on those. I have been eating seafood like kingclip and sole - yummy! And also a wonderful African dessert called muolva (or something) pudding that is always served by pouring custard on top. So good!
ReplyDeleteI hear that crocodile is actually pretty good...you should try it...
ReplyDelete:)