First of all... Happy Birthday Tata Madiba! Or, better known as Nelson Mandela! (In many ways) the Face of South Africa, reconciliation and humanity celebrated his 90th birthday yesterday in his home village in rural Eastern Cape. It's amazing to think that 1 / 3 of his life was spent in prison, because he fougth for freedom, equality and for what he believed to be inalienable human rights. Happy birthday to the father of our nation.
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It's my first weekend home and it's good to have a bit of a break from the rat race! Yeah, as I've said elsewhere, I literally had to hit the ground running and my schedule is even move packed here than it was in the United States! What with all this reflecting having to fit in somewhere too!
I find myself constantly drawing parallels between our two very different societies and milieus, and find myself - strangely - defending the United States, talking about it quite often and sharing my experiences with anyone interested! Saying that the trip made an impact would be an understatement. As I said to Joey (and as it was posted at the IRIS Blog):
I am also running for the Student Representative Council (the student governance body) and am currently sorting out the nomination process for the election held in September! Wish me luck!
But for now... let's get back to Iowa! I must, however, say that I have been thinking about my family and friends in Iowa, and have been contemplating a number of ways to see that part of the world again... relax! None of them include illegal immigration!
___________________________I find myself constantly drawing parallels between our two very different societies and milieus, and find myself - strangely - defending the United States, talking about it quite often and sharing my experiences with anyone interested! Saying that the trip made an impact would be an understatement. As I said to Joey (and as it was posted at the IRIS Blog):
I went to the USA not only with my personal belongings in my luggage, but also a lot of baggage in terms of opinions, conceptions and understandings about America and American society. Needless to say they all (almost) have been negatated and proven to be unjustified opinions, misconceptions and misunderstandings and I'm sort of experiencing a little identity crisis as I was forced to not only reevaluate what I know about your country and society, but also what I assumed I knew about the world, but more importantly, about my country, society and where I fit in and how I fit in here.I guess I'm slowly piecing together the puzzle, adding who I am, what I have learned and how I have redefined myself together with the hope of contributing in some way to some worthy cause. I have, in light of my immensely positive experience at the Ames Noon Rotary Club lunch meeting, inquired about the Pretoria East Rotary Club and have been directed to the Pretoria East Rotaract chapter. The latter is quite new as it was relaunched very recently, so I hope to be able to contribute there. I have also recruited 3 new people to the cause, and Steven and I will be attending a meeting (yes, on a Sunday) tomorrow at 10:00. That is before my parents come over for lunch!
I am also running for the Student Representative Council (the student governance body) and am currently sorting out the nomination process for the election held in September! Wish me luck!
But for now... let's get back to Iowa! I must, however, say that I have been thinking about my family and friends in Iowa, and have been contemplating a number of ways to see that part of the world again... relax! None of them include illegal immigration!
Tuesday, 8 July 2008 seemed like one of those days on which we'd actually be on time for our appointments, specifically at Terrace Hill (the Iowa Governor's Residence) and the Iowa State Capitol (the seat of the Iowa Legislature)! The morning did start off with a bang... yeah, really! A BANG! Old Faithful, a.k.a. Berny, decided to rebel against being abused by Jeremy and blew a tire! It was quite a suspenseful few seconds, Andile screamed, Kauthar and I saw our lives flashing by just as we were discussing our bright and promising futures! Thanks, however, to Jeremy's impeccable driving skills and nerves of steel we came to a safe stop, evacuated the vehicle as soon as possible (fearing that the anti-freeze might cause an explosion! Hey! We didn't know it was anti-freeze and we were panicking!).
Old Faithful couldn't take it anymore...
here standing on the I-35 heading south between Ames and Des Moines, IA.
here standing on the I-35 heading south between Ames and Des Moines, IA.
Berny was towed, Del arrived in his shiny Toyota and we were whisked off to Terrace Hill and transported back to Victorian Mid-West Society...
Terrace Hill was really beautiful and it was an interesting journey through time! I wouldn't mind living there one day... *nudge-nudge, wink-wink*! Hey! If Jennifer Granholm and the Governator could do it...
Next stop was the Iowa State Capitol! The big, no, huge building with the golden dome visible from almost anywhere in Des Moines! First, however, we had to grab (yet another over-sized portioned) lunch! It was here that I discovered that complications and comprehensive reach of the recently implemented public smoking ban in Iowa. It was further demonstrated that smoking is generally frowned upon, socially unacceptable (at least in certain parts) and somewhat of a pariah in the United States. Not to mention that trying to buy cigarettes in Des Moines is akin to a treasure hunt! I must add that I was also, for the first time in my entire life, asked to present photo ID whilst purchasing cigarettes! Anyway, I digress...
The Iowa State Capitol was really beautiful and it was truly an enriching experience. Not only because I loved the architecture of the building, but also what happens in there, how it happens, and for what purpose.
I was amazed by State Rep. McKinley Bailey (D) and his willingness to share information, to actually meet eight South African university students and take them on a tour of the Capitol. Even more incredible was their openness and the time that Governor Chet Culver (D) took to sign our certificates - in pen! I think what impressed me most was the layout of the House and Senate in a semi-circle, creating a more collegiate atmosphere, as opposed to the 'us versus them' idea in the Parliamentary system.
We had to leave the Capitol, unfortunately, and head back to home base (i.e. the IRIS office), especially as Phumlani and myself were going to a baseball game that evening with our family. On our way back, however, we were delayed by an accident on the I-35 northbound between Des Moines and Ames.
Luckily the accident wasn't that serious - there were no serious injuries and no fatalities - but I did learn something from it all: the swift, efficient and unique manner in which it was dealt with my Emergency Services personnel, and Iowans in general! All the cars pulled towards the side of the road, creating an opening in the middle which would allow easy access for Emergency Services! The scene was cleared swiftly and - after waiting a short while - traffic proceeded normally. It was also amazing to see how real people cared and aided in whichever way they could.
Back at the office, waiting for Gloria and Jon to pick us up, Kim couldn't resist parading around as if she was at a fancy dress party, and I got to speak Afrikaans and German to Chantal, who speaks Dutch and German!
I just had to Kim...
The game that evening was fun! I had a great time learning the finer details of baseball, and shared the complications and intricacies of Cricket with Gloria. The Iowa Cubs won, naturally, and I couldn't help but become an instant fan! Yeah... group-think? I must admit that it is actually a great game... better than cricket even! There, I said it! I mean, it's much shorter to begin with, and who can go without baseball food?! We also met a nice couple (and their son and his friend) with whom we discussed South Africa. The kids were loud and proud Obama fans! It was quite funny to see their enthusiasm.
I also learned that Americans, like South Africans, love their sports! And that a football coach can earn $1,2 million p.a.! I'm clearly in the wrong profession!
Downtown Des Moines from the Des Moines River approaching Principal Park.
Next stop was the Iowa State Capitol! The big, no, huge building with the golden dome visible from almost anywhere in Des Moines! First, however, we had to grab (yet another over-sized portioned) lunch! It was here that I discovered that complications and comprehensive reach of the recently implemented public smoking ban in Iowa. It was further demonstrated that smoking is generally frowned upon, socially unacceptable (at least in certain parts) and somewhat of a pariah in the United States. Not to mention that trying to buy cigarettes in Des Moines is akin to a treasure hunt! I must add that I was also, for the first time in my entire life, asked to present photo ID whilst purchasing cigarettes! Anyway, I digress...
The Iowa State Capitol was really beautiful and it was truly an enriching experience. Not only because I loved the architecture of the building, but also what happens in there, how it happens, and for what purpose.
I was amazed by State Rep. McKinley Bailey (D) and his willingness to share information, to actually meet eight South African university students and take them on a tour of the Capitol. Even more incredible was their openness and the time that Governor Chet Culver (D) took to sign our certificates - in pen! I think what impressed me most was the layout of the House and Senate in a semi-circle, creating a more collegiate atmosphere, as opposed to the 'us versus them' idea in the Parliamentary system.
We had to leave the Capitol, unfortunately, and head back to home base (i.e. the IRIS office), especially as Phumlani and myself were going to a baseball game that evening with our family. On our way back, however, we were delayed by an accident on the I-35 northbound between Des Moines and Ames.
Luckily the accident wasn't that serious - there were no serious injuries and no fatalities - but I did learn something from it all: the swift, efficient and unique manner in which it was dealt with my Emergency Services personnel, and Iowans in general! All the cars pulled towards the side of the road, creating an opening in the middle which would allow easy access for Emergency Services! The scene was cleared swiftly and - after waiting a short while - traffic proceeded normally. It was also amazing to see how real people cared and aided in whichever way they could.
Back at the office, waiting for Gloria and Jon to pick us up, Kim couldn't resist parading around as if she was at a fancy dress party, and I got to speak Afrikaans and German to Chantal, who speaks Dutch and German!
I just had to Kim...
The game that evening was fun! I had a great time learning the finer details of baseball, and shared the complications and intricacies of Cricket with Gloria. The Iowa Cubs won, naturally, and I couldn't help but become an instant fan! Yeah... group-think? I must admit that it is actually a great game... better than cricket even! There, I said it! I mean, it's much shorter to begin with, and who can go without baseball food?! We also met a nice couple (and their son and his friend) with whom we discussed South Africa. The kids were loud and proud Obama fans! It was quite funny to see their enthusiasm.
I also learned that Americans, like South Africans, love their sports! And that a football coach can earn $1,2 million p.a.! I'm clearly in the wrong profession!
Downtown Des Moines from the Des Moines River approaching Principal Park.
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