week 1: reflections

In between running to catch busses, getting caught in the rain, dressing up for work, and starting to eat copious about of Krispy Kreme donuts – I have survived my first week in Washington DC. And boy has it been tiring: I can’t believe this time last week I was sitting here on my bed completely exhausted and getting ready for my first day of work. Now I sit here typing up my musings from the week. Sorry folks, I haven’t gotten round to downloading photos from my big camera so you will have to wait until I get round to it – at least i have a laptop now to do things. Yay!

So in this last week I have experienced a whole array of emotions: from being utterly excited walking to work to nearly wanting to cry because I couldn’t find a bus to get on and I waited an hour for a bus – but I always take the wise words of my dear sister who believes that getting lost is a fun thing – which I agree – you just have immerse yourself in the adventure and just go with the flow. Even if it means wracking up a 13 dollar taxi bill. Facepalm. I’ve learnt to run down the escalator to catch the metro (which by the way is substantial exercise), take off my shoes and just enjoy the afternoon storms that DC has to offer, and whatever else comes my way.

So – how does a weekday in DC look like? Well, my body is slowly adjusting to waking up ay 7am and not at 5:40am. I usually just chill and catch up with friends  on Facebook/BBM/Skype until I jump into the shower and have breakfast with the family. Then off to work I go, do some practising before I start with work. I usually work until 6 or when I have to leave for a function and then go off to do some SAWIP activities. I usually get home by 9pm and then head off to sleep as soon as I can – it’s rather tiring. Fridays we have discussion days with our team – discussing leadership issues and having speakers come talk to us. Weekends are generally free … well with the busy week that we have had it was much needed!

So as a SAWIP student, what activities have we done?
This past week we got to meet the interns on our sister programme WIP (washington ireland programme) – yes the Irish! And we have another sibling programme called New Story Leaders which bring students from Israel and Palestine together. We had a good time at National Mall yesterday hanging out and playing some games – and obviously after hours socialising as well. Last night we all went to someone’s house to have a movie night which turned out great – spending time with the others has been great!

And how is the leadership programme?
It’s going well. Yes, I still have my problem of falling asleep in anything so I am learning the art of trying to stay awake. Nevertheless, the SAWIP team have had some incredible meetings this week – two of which were rather notable.
On Youth Day, we went to the South African ambassador’s house to have a discussion on economic freedom in South Africa and also a braai. The discussion turned out to be rather incredible – we also had some students from Howard University and young professionals take part in this discussion. I think it’s safe to say that South Africa is going to have some great leaders in the future – my fellow SAWIPians are amazing people with such vision that it can only be inspirational. The team also had a great time networking and meeting new people.
The second meeting was on Friday with this internship programme for inner city kids called Urban Alliance. about 100 high school graduates get chosen to do internships over the summer and  also have a development programme of how to cope in the working world. These kids were really inspiring: I was really inspired by the intelligence and depth that these students had – and I can definitely say on behalf of the SAWIPians that we would love to meet up with them again. The opportunity that they have also been given is fantastic.

All in all, the SAWIP team are having such a great time here – the people we are meeting and the experiences that we have had so far has been nothing short of amazing.

And for fun?
of course, fun! On Friday night we went to a baseball game of the Washington Nationals vs the Baltimore Orioles. It was a truly American experience: I wasted 6 dollars on a measly hotdog, and boy are games here an all round entertainment experience. In between innings they always provide entertainment which is rather amusing. It was fun to experience – even though we left in the 6th inning (baseball is one very long game).
I’ve also been walking a lot around the neighbourhood scouring out vintage shops – one of which I found a most beautiful bag which is coming back with me to Africa. I haven’t managed to  go shopping for clothes yet – but that’s on this week’s menu. There’s this most amazing book shop about 150m from our door – I keep on walking in and out – but it deserves a whole afternoon to be searched in. I cannot wait.
Things I love in DC this week:

- Krispy Kremes. Yes folks, there are a few of us girls on the team that are going gaga over Krispy Kremes. If you have ever had one – you will understand why you will gain weight in America. Simply divine.

- Starbucks: Quintessentially American. And they have the most amazing frappacinos. Which comes with a free itunes playlist. Win.

- Walking: It’s so much fun walking in DC – looking at all the houses and the shops.

 

Things I don’t like in DC this week:

- last night I waited an hour for a bus. Long story.

- it gets humid. This week is meant to have another 98 degree day. and 98 degrees is the temperature of the human body. And now I know why the boy band 98 degrees is called 98 degrees.

 

And that folks, is pretty much my update for this week. I should blog more – because there is so much I can write about! I’ve experience so much this week that can’t be put down in one blogpost. Check back this week for more blogposts – and we are off to New York this weekend! whoop whoop!

P.S.: Some sneaky person back in South Africa compiled this book of letters from everyone for this American trip – the book (as I call it) has been sitting by my bedside and is well read. Thank you to everyone who wrote in the book – there are some really awesome/funny/random letters in the book and I smile every time I read it. To the person who compiled the book – it means so much to me. The SAWIP ladies can testify how I have been going on about the book – we even had a showing of it last night! Might I just add – I even found a letter from my piano lecturer and head of music department (talk about sneakiness)!

And we head into week two …

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