" A Good Traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving" Lao-Tzu

Three months into living in Cape Town, and I am starting to feel like I am finally getting my “groove on” for lack of a better phrase. In other words, I can wake up (on some mornings) and feel like I am home. Which is such a strange feeling to me because I have always struggled to define my “home”.

I guess what people say is true…that most often you can make a home for yourself anywhere as long as you are surrounded by people who care about you and you are willing to go a little out of your comfort zone.

I have meet some awesome people (who are not from GRS), and I am so lucky to be able to hang out with some “local South Africans” because they are teaching me so much. Clearly, I see Cape Town completely different than they do, and it is always so interesting to hear their views on politics, religion, race, and daily life. No matter how much you read (which I do) and try to think like a “local,” you will never understand a place and its character unless you speak with people who actually live there.

Hanging out and getting to know people who are from SA has enhanced my time here in so many ways… from having Shabbat dinner with a very nice family in Seapoint, to coaching an all girls soccer team every Sunday, to babysitting on Saturday nights (which I love) I am so thankful to be experiencing Cape Town from a different perspective.

Visiting Joburg

Skyline in Joburg

Joburg, as it has been described to me, is the financial capital of Africa and it has the vibe of a metropolitan City. Most of the local Capetonians I speak to often say in a less offensive way (but I am pretty sure they are trying to say..) that they hate Joburg and could never live there. On the flip side, I have heard that people in Joburg are nicer, more open and have more energy! So as I got on the plane to Joburg, I decided to shut out all this Joburg vs. Cape Town chatter, and experience this Joburg for myself with no biases!

When I arrived at the Airport, the first thing I noticed was how big and busy it was compared to the Cape Town’s tiny Airport. On my drive to the other intern house, I was bombarded with advertisements (quite clever ones), huge skyscrapers and traffic, (which I had not experienced yet in Cape Town). So everything I had heard so far seemed true, it’s landscape was surly different from Cape Towns. No picturesque table mountain in your vantage point all day, but I did not hold that against joburg, not every city can win the genetic lottery of natural beauty.

From the time I spent walking around and talking to people, there was a more city vibe here, people dressed very hipster and chatty and always wanted to know what you thought of joburg.

Once when I walked into a clothing store and told them I was American, but living in Cape Town for the year, the first thing they asked me was ....”So… what do you think of Joburg do you like it..?” I answered honesty that Joburg was different, but a different that I could get use to and learn to call home No, it will never be as beautiful as Cape Town (I do not think anyplace can be), but the time I spent there showed me the reason why people love Joburg so much.

(**I was however VERY happy to get home to Gordon and see Table Mountain everyday***)

My time at GRS's Alex and Soweto Sites

The Field in Alex

The best part of my time in Joburg though was of course visiting the different GRS sites and meeting the people who I speak to on the phone in person!!!! At Alex, I got to be a part of a site visit by Barlcays. Barclays and ABSA fund coach development and they came to observe a Skillz UP session lead by Mookie (an AWESOME Program coordinator). The session was on interviews, and how to prepare for them. As usual the GRS coaches were insightful, but also asked many questions and were eager to learn.

Even though I had been on many interviews, I felt like I was learning so much from the coaches and the other staff members. My favorite was when one of the coaches suggested that you look up the directions to the interview and try to get there by yourself a few days before, so when the day comes you are on time. Boy...did that resonate with me!!!

Anyone that knows me, knows I am the worst at directions and leave them till the last minute. The coach’s advice was so simple and practical.

The site visit went great, and I think everyone, coaches, Barclays staff, interns and visitors, learned a lot. I love how GRS can take so many different groups of people, and connect them not only through soccer, but through shared values.

The Half Marathon

The Soweto Half Marathon went okay, (I was not happy with my time), but I loved the atmosphere and diversity of the race. We got to run through Soweto and its big hills(!!), which was really special after all the history I had read about Soweto. I think though my favorite part of the race was running with all the different people. I just ran next to someone and asked if it was okay if I paced with them, and I ended up having great conversations.

At the finish line, I got to see the marathon, 21k and 10k finish. The diversity of the race cannot be overstated compared to all the races I had done in Cape Town. There was no “typical racer.” It was just another reminder that sports can bring together so many different groups of people…

On my plane back to Cape Town, I thought about what home really means. I think your home has to do more with how you see the world and yourself. Because if you are comfortable and honest with whom you are, I think you can find a home anywhere.

Me and some Coaches from Soweto just posing in front the giant signing board at the Nike Tent

I also included some pictures from my trail run/hike today on the Pike Track.

The Pike Track! I have started trail running!!

I am starting to love discovering all the different hikes and paths Cape Town has to offer. I also included some great pictures of this exhibit on peace that is happening in Cape Town. Everyday on my walk to work I get to walk by these inspiring pictures of social change.

I could not ask for a better way to reignite my passion for GRS and what it stands for.

As usual, everyone that donated made these experiences possible and I am so grateful for you. Please reach out if you have any questions or comments etc.

Cheers,

Julie