V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

V&A Waterfront at night.

KFC -- I won't even go there.

This kid was really good. He played the same dang song all day, though.

More photos from the Youth Day Rally (June 16, 2009)

Ron, our Professor, was kind of a superstar at this rally. A white, American liberal is always super popular in South Africa. He knew all of the ANC anthems and could do some of the traditional tribal dances. And he shouted, "Amandla Awethu!" (Power to the People!) with a voice that sounded like someone other than the relatively soft-spoken professor I had come to know. It reminded me of my first evening in Johannesburg, when he lamented the direction the new radical leftist (black nationalist) government was taking South Africa. Then, his eyes expressed a sadness and frustration one usually expresses when speaking of family matters. And it was a family matter for Ron. South Africa had become his second home, and the South African people -- his family.

Some high school students goofing around at the rally. This guy is in drag.

These ladies are wearing the colors of the ANC (African National Congress -- South Africa's ruling party).

Ah, the vuvuzela -- South Africa's weapon of choice for celebration. These blasted horns are so loud, they considered banning them from the World Cup this coming summer. Vuvuzela banning is obviously not a popular idea in South Africa, as the vuvuzela is deeply rooted in their soccer tradition.

Last Nights in Johannesburg

Me and Jonathan, the program co-director and my Human Rights Advocacy professor. He is American-born, but has lived in South Africa since 1989. This guy can toi-toi like a pro! If you are unfamiliar with toi toi, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPdxOYYR5os.

Me and Ron. I really, really miss this guy.

Me and Edwin, one of my legal writing professors. He's from Kenya, but taught in Seattle for a year. I want to bring him to Las Vegas, and he wants to discourage me from teaching. LOL!

I am flanked by my French buddies, Clement and Mathieu. They made me eat snails.

David, a student from the Univ. of Wisconsin Law School is presenting the lovely ladies. This was our very last night in Johannesburg.

Who says law school study abroad is just a glorified vacation?

That person obviously was a slacker. Not me -- I did my work. (But I did make sure I went out of my way to experience South Africa, because being there was a once in a lifetime experience. As you all can tell from my posts, I didn't keep my nose in the books ALL the time.)

Hmm . . . an A+, an A, and an A-. Dang -- too bad these grades transfer only as pass/fail credits. Stupid transfer credits . . . Oh well. I really wanted to learn this stuff, so I'm glad my hard work paid off.

Home again

Well, I've been in the States for several days now, and I feel the way I often do when I return from a trip overseas. A little relieved, a little sad, and a little more focused. I had an amazing summer -- I learned more than I've learned in all three years of law school combined (sorry, profs); I made new friends; had life-changing experiences; and paved the way for various future opportunities (should I decide to return to Africa). Oh, and I might have found a home for my currently homeless law review note: in a South African journal -- where she belongs. Keep your fingers crossed.

Thanks for tuning in, everyone. I'm currently in the process of producing and editing a slide show of pictures from my South African adventure, which I will hopefully post here within a few weeks. I've had to hit the ground running upon my return to the States -- there are jobs, fellowships, clerkships, and LL.M. programs for which I must apply; a major life decision I had to make; sick family members I had to visit; and a new school year (my last for a while) to begin. So -- the slide show will take some time. Check back from time to time. It will be worth it.

Best regards,

Kareema

Here are the penguins . . . (yes there are penguins in Africa)

Cape Town

As my cab driver headed away from the airport and toward Cape Town, my body buzzed with excitement as I was face-to-face with the world-famous Table Mountain. I was completely awed by the seaside city that is guarded by the mountain -- its demeanor was completely different from that of Johannesburg. Cape Town is a laid-back, friendly town where hospitality is king. Johannesburg is tense, congested, and comparatively cold. Not to mention extremely dangerous. I felt every muscle relax as we drove into the city, past the colorful corrugated tin roofs of the temporary settlements, and along the coastline.

Forty minutes and ZAR 300 later, I arrived at my hotel in Bantry Bay. It was a boutique hotel with a view of the ocean from its popular new restaurant. It was still early in the morning by the time I got into my room and flopped onto the bed. I lay very still, eyes closed, as I listened to the waves crashing against the shore below. Cape Town was heaven, or at least as close to heaven one could get without having to die.

Later in the afternoon, I awoke from my nap and explored the area around my hotel. There was a pharmacy, run by a friendly and knowledgeable white couple (they really helped me out later in the week when I was stricken with a mysterious fever); an Irish pub; a shopping district; and, of course, a boardwalk. I walked about half a kilometer down to the boardwalk, then another two or three kilometers along it, watching the waves come in and waiting for my perfect snapshots.

Of course this experience, like any other, was a learning one for me, and I learned that sometimes you find what you want precisely when you want.

Sometimes you find what you think you want until you use hindsight and realize that what you had was a big mess.

But sometimes, if you are patient, you wait and wait and wait, and you get exactly what you have been waiting for.

Apparently, I have been waiting for Cape Town. And she was waiting for me.

"Welcome home," she said.