In general, when someone hears a person who is white complain about "the way black people are," they are quick to place a "RACIST" label on that person and tune out the rest of the conversation. We decide to keep their distance and to avoid the subject because it makes us uncomfortable or hurt or angry. When we do this, we are operating under the same prejudice that we are condemning the "racist" for.

We have only been in South Africa for four days but it seems like ages since we left home. I think all of us came to Cape Town expecting something completely different from what we have found. Right now we are all at the mall at an internet cafe writing e-mails. I am amazed at how similar South Africa is to what I would expect anywhere else in the world. I went into this expecting a different universe and here I am in a shopping mall.

I am FINALLY done with finals and feel like I have a few weeks to relax a little more before we take off. I am moved back into my parent's house and enjoying my mom's cooking (I also watched about 5 hours of TV yesterday just because I could...) and getting ready for the trip.

I am really excited to go to Africa; I can't believe we leave so soon! Despite to stress of packing (I am always a little nervous that I have too much or not enough, etc.) I can't wait until we leave.

Last summer I went to the United Nations on a trip with PLU as well and I was frustrated at talking so much about world issues but not getting to see them or have the chance to change them. I went into that trip with a lot of excitement because I am really interested in world issues and helping people in need in terms of humanitarian aid. I was really disappointed at the lack of passion I saw with some of the groups we met with and with the diplomats. In other words, it made me realize that a political body like the United Nations was definitely not the place for me.