This gallery contains 11 photos.
There are no proper stores near the townships, so individuals set up their own businesses. The sign on the business below reads Dr. Nsimbi, Herbalist and Traditional Healer. It is my understanding that tribal healing practices are still common in rural areas. Their popularity varies from one individual to another in the city. Still, ill … Continue reading
This gallery contains 32 photos.
In Langa Township, a well-shaded park stands between this memorial and a small elementary school. The mosaic stands in memory of children shot in the park during a peaceful protest in 1976. Another mosaic, pictured below, illustrates the barracks used to house migrant laborers. According to information printed on the marker, “The main barracks consisted … Continue reading
This gallery contains 8 photos.
A cable car takes visitors to the top of Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa. Our tour guide, Jeremy Poole, told us that a day as clear as this occurs perhaps five days a year. More often than not, there is is heavy cloud cover over the mountain. We arrived just as the park … Continue reading
I read a lot of material about South Africa in preparation for my trip. Understanding the things I saw about me made the journey that much more interesting. For anyone traveling to South Africa, I’d recommend reading the following books in the order presented: South Africa: History in an Hour by Anthony Holmes 2012 The … Continue reading
This gallery contains 11 photos.
We’ve just returned from a Smartours vacation to South Africa and Victoria Falls (in neighboring Zimbabwe). This is the first installment of photographs from that journey. Above is the view from our room at the Protea Hotel President. This is the old City Hall in Cape Town. It was built in the 1860′s and used … Continue reading
I stumbled upon this charming YouTube video of Zulu children living in South Africa and thought I’d share it.
This poem was inspired by courtyard walls edging Bourbon Street in New Orleans. The walls were topped by cemented-in broken bottles.
CRYSTAL CASTLES
by Carol Fullerton-Samsel
The broken bottles on the wall
Serve as the courtyard’s capitol.
With jagged spires and splintered sides
The crystal palaces divide
The streets below, at which they stare,
From gardens growing lush and fair.
Throughout the day they glimmer white;
But sparkle amber in the night,
When with the moon’s first misty beams,
The sentries’ shining armor gleams.
With haughty stance, the soldiers guard
The budding jewels within their yard.
And from the treasures all are banned
By sentries bold and castles grand.
