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Agosto 28, 2005
Live From Africa
I haven't had much time to really reflect upon these whirlwind 17 days in Southern Africa. The days have been long and filling through four different countries: Swaziland, South Africa, Mozambique and Namibia. But as I sit in the airport in Johannesburg on route to my final two days in Cape Town, things are slowly coming together. I had a belief that it would be a larger culture shock than what I experienced. Nevertheless, all of my travels throughout Latin America never prepared me for the poverty that I saw in the informal settlements (poorer than shantytowns and townships) around Johannesburg. Poverty is one thing. But when the entire continent of Africa attempts to come to grips with the out of control HIV/AIDS crisis, one can never get used to sights that I experienced last week in these settlements. Death from the incurable disease was present everywhere and was magnified in these settlements.
So what does this experience mean to my view on the world and in particular, Latin America? I have no way of knowing right now, but this experience has greatly enhanced my global outlook. I wouldn't want things that easy to figure out.
My bloglines feeds are out of control, as I am looking forward to catching up on everything I've missed. Being without internet has been a bit unsettling, as I have gone four days without checking email, which is a new record, I think. Next post when I return to the States.
Posted by eduardo at Agosto 28, 2005 12:22 PM