Robben Island

OK friends, I really need to be fast tonight. I met my group tonight and the six of us (6!) got a firm but gentle talking to about being punctual. In the mornings. I know some of you are laughing already BUT I want to get it right so I need to be in the lobby for 7:30 for breakfast, a trip to the money exchange and departure at 8:30. I don't want to be the weakest link on day one! That means I need to shower and pack tonight and be in bed before 1am. #goals

It was a gorgeous, bright, windy day for a boat ride today. We hit some heavy, damp, San Francisco type fog on the water but it lifted eventually.

We were greeted by a man who survived twice being locked up at Robben Island. At the end I quietly asked him if it was hard to come back and he said, “very.” He talked about PTSD and flashbacks and not being able to make it through some days b/c he would black out and need someone to take him home. He said he still has bad days but also wants to tell his story and the story of the others. He did it with alot of dignity in spite of people talking on their phones (seriously!) and chatting with each other.

I thanked him very much for the effort and said I really appreciated hearing his story. He was remarkable.

These were some of the displays inside the cells,

Mandela's cell and blankets,

I think the can was used as the toilet and the prisoners had to empty them out and wash them.

After the jail we were driven around in busses and a tour guide told us about different places on the island. It was so good to be back out in the sea air. And we were only in there for about an hour. The deliberate, structured cruelty those men endured, and of apartheid in general, is incredible. And for Nelson Mandela to come out wanting peace and reconciliation is astounding. I don't think I would have been so kind, or, at least may not have been able to see the big picture of wanting peace, freedom, equality and prosperity.

…..

We stopped for snacks and a bathroom break and the view back to Cape Town was gorgeous.

I could have watched those waves and smelled that sea air for hours.

And to the view to the right, so, looking west?

And on the trip back to land the view was even better!

We got back later than I thought so I ended up being late for the group mtg which was not ideal but everyone forgave me.

We are a small group of six with a driver and a guide. We are a 40 yo woman from Winnipeg, a late 30s/early 40s woman from California, a 60 something woman from near Mt Baker and two tired and sunburnt Germans who look in their late 40s/early 50s. I hope we all gel nicely!

Alright, I still need to shower and pack so I need to sign off. Cape Town is so gorgeous. I needed way more time here. I will definitely have to come again and soak it in properly.

It sounds like wifi gets a bit spotty going forward so my dispatches will likely get more hit and miss. If you don't hear from me for a bit don't worry! I will be on the beach watching the sun set into the Atlantic, in the desert and in some hotsprings! I think we are in Swakopmund in 3 or 4 days and it’s a fairly big place so should have decent wifi and I will check in then.

So glad to have so many following along!

❤️ G