Each One Teach One

We will try to complete this post without sounding too much like Clark Griswald.  Look kids, Big Ben, Parliment.  Well, if you guys want to miss the world's largest ball of twine...

Ok, got that out of my system. 

Both Roman and Mabret asked if their classes will get to see this post.  Thanks again to Kevin Kromko and Jen Valerio for making the boys feel connected while we are away.  Hopefully, there is some useful info below.  

Today was the first traditional educational day.  Of course, there is nothing ordinary about Nelson Mandela or visiting Robben Island where President Mandela served 18 years of his 27 year prison sentence.  The spirit of those political prisoners who were banished to Robben Island is alive in every square inch of Robben Island.  Their message is clear that they wish the Island to serve as inspiration to their country and the world that freedom, democracy and the human spirit will triumph when the course is stayed. 

This sign greets all who visit.

Shortly after disembarking the boat that took us to Robben Island, we were met by a guide who would give us a walking tour of the many prison buildings.  The Island has been maintained as a World Heritage Site and was born from the dream of those prisoners who were held captive for fighting to end apartheid.  The dream of maintaining Robben Island as a beacon of hope and forgiveness was born in 1995 when former prisoners including Nelson Mandela held a reunion on the Island 

Below is a picture from that reunion. 

Our guide, Ndanto, was a political prisoner on Robben Island for 8 years.   While he describes his experience in stark terms which include torture, isolation and illness, it is clear that he harbors no anger toward those who abused him and fractured his country.  Ndanto believes in the message of Mr. Mandela that anger and resentment will damage their country and their children's children.  Mabret listened to the talk intently and when it concluded he said, "if the people stay angry it will just start all over again."

Below is a picture of Ndanto, Mabret and Roman.

Below is a picture of Roman standing outside of Nelson Mandela's cell.

Below is a picture of a small garden that was created by Nelson Mandela and is maintained as it was when he was imprisoned on the Island.  Mr. Mandela kept one of his early manuscripts for "Long Walk to Freedom" hidden in the garden. The manuscript was found shortly after a second copy was smuggled off the Island.  

During the final part of the tour we visited the Lime Quarry where prisoners did grueling days of labor in blazing sun. The quarry also housed a small cave that was known as Robben Island University.  It was in this cave that the future leaders of South Africa would meet to debate and discuss important issues and began drafting what is now the Constitution of South Africa.  In addition, when young prisoners arrived lacking the same education as those who were already highly educated, the more educated prisoners taught the less educated.  Nelson Mandela shared their slogan in Long Walk to Freedom - "Each One Teach One"   This phrase which describes what happened in a tiny cave in South Africa should send a message to the world that we all must learn from one another.  Each One Teach One appears in the Constitution of South Africa.

A picture of Robben Island University is below.

In short, Robben Island was humbling.  

Below is a picture of Roman and Mabret as we are leaving the island.  Table Mountain is in the background.

Below is a picture of the boys and Kathy standing in front of a globe near Nelson Madela Gateway at the Victoria & Alfred  Waterfront.  Roman located Addis Ababa on the globe and it can be seen just over Mabret's leff shoulder.  

We finished the day with a traditional Ethiopian meal at a restaurant named Addis in the Cape.

Tomorrow we hike to the top of Table Mountain.

Cape Town

After a 6 hour flight from Newark and a brief one hour pit stop to switch planes, we boarded a Virgin Atlantic plane to embark on an 11 and 1/2 hour flight to Cape Town.  We spent the first 4 hours watching movies and chillin.  The next 6 hours were spent contorted in horrible positions attempting to get any sleep that we could.  Of course, Roman immediately laid himself down with his head on Kathy and his legs across Mabret and Dad as though sleep is an entitlement for him but a privilege that the rest of us would not enjoy.  I gotta give it to him - he slept a pretty good 5 hours.  The rest of us - not so much.  

We landed safely in Cape Town with smiles on our faces which, in and of itself, is a travel success.

Next stop was Dollar Rent a Car for our vehicle.  After some discussion about upgrading to an SUV we decided to save the $500usd that it would have cost us over 3 weeks and went with the hatchback. 

Do people say hatchback anymore or is that a late 80s thing?  My first car was a Honda Civiic hatchback.  And fortunately a stick because that is all that is available in South Africa.  Shout out to my Dad for making me pass the drivers exam with a manual transmission.  

Of course, I have never driven a stick from the right or "passenger's side" of the car.  This was further complicated by the fact that I need to drive on the left side of the road.  

We made it to our first stop - "Salty Crax" backpacking hostel/inn. 

This place is awesome.  The people are warm and wonderful. Of course, most of them are under the age of 25 and have landed here for various reasons.  We hope that the spirit, energy and sense of independence that these people are exhibiting will set an example for what the boys can do together and without us in years ahead.

After getting settled we took a 4 to 0 vote to forgo further sleep and venture to the beach.  Our first stop was a great seafood meal at Catch 22

Then a short walk across the street to the beach. In the distance you can see Table Mountain which we will hike on Tuesday.

It was not long before the boys were headed into the Atlantic at the Soutern Tip of Africa. 

Roman and Mabret were travel rock stars.  It was a great end to a journey and a magical beginning to a once in a lifetime adventure.