The Balance Between Man and Nature

Yesterday, we visited Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Kirstenbosch flanks Table Mountain and consists of hundreds of acres of beautiful flowers and other local vegetation, some of which grows no where else in the world. Currently, the garden is developing a new project entitled “Restoring the Balance Between Man & Nature”. I don’t know much about the project itself, but the titled really stood out for me.

The day before, we’d visited Robben Island. This was my second visit but I found myself more emotional this time around. I remember one reflection made by my sister. It was something about being treated badly and then imprisoned by ones oppressors . . . only to be further humiliated and degradated inside the prison walls. In Robben Island, political prisoners were considered more dangerous than even ‘common law prisoners’ (rapists, murderers, etc.) and treated more harshly. Then, Black prisoners were treated far worse than the Coloured and Asian political prisoners. They were given no shoes, shorts instead of pants and short-sleeved shirts rather than long-sleeved ones, even during cold winter months.

As a black person myself, seeing this type of humiliation and treatment really has an impact. I think of the ways I have been treated differently throughout my life. How, I can’t seem to escape the fact that many people in the world see and treat black people badly. The whole thing makes me tired, angry and sad. I left the tour, and Robben Island in tears and a bit heartbroken. On the boat ride home, we tried to keep our spirits up, but each of us (my mother, my sister and myself) was emotionally drained.

So, in order to top the evening off, we headed straight for the Paulaner brewhouse and restaurant directly across from the Robben Island Gateway at the Victoria & Albert Waterfront!! Paulaner is one of my favorites and it was nice to relax there in its cozy warmth. :)

We woke up the next day and rode with Caroline to Kirstenbosch. It was here that my spirits seemed to be restored. Walking admidst all the beauty and grandeur of the flowers and the mountains flanked in the background, it was not difficult to let go of the previous days’ negativity. There’s a bust of Nelson Mandela in the gardens. In his book, “The Long Walk to Freedom”, he talks fondly about the plants growing in the courtyard of the prison and his ‘relationship’ to them as a gardener. I can truthfully recommend his method of reigning in depression by taking part in nature’s beauty . . .

Speaking of beauty, last night was the opening concert for the World Cup!!! We’ve seen SOO many tourists from all over the world. Leigh was stopped by a couple of gents from Uruguay who were surprised she spoke fluent Spanish. They welcomed each other to the games and to the country. Then, last night we met lots of people at a local pub. Everyone seems to be in the World Cup spirit and we were ‘forced’ (willingly) to karaoke “Born in the USA” by Bruce Springstein. It was a sight to behold because neither me, Leigh or the South African lady singing along with us knew any of the words other than the chorus. LOL

Tonight, we’ll visit the Fan Park for the opening game between South African and Mexico (Viva Mexico! Go CONCACAF!!). Please do not tell any of my South African buddies that I wrote that! On Saturday is the match between USA and England, so we are having a party at Caroline’s house in honor of the games. We must bring dishes from the US and all the British folks will bring dishes from their country. It’ll be lots of fun, and Leigh is looking forward to making her famous nachos.

Kelley