January 5

Today we went on a tour of the city center. I was captivated by the history behind the city. I continue to be astonished by the institutionalized ill treatment of the blacks. Passing Nelson Mandela’s law office however, truly showed hope and the fight towards progression, despite his multiple arrests. I also found the history and current status of graffiti to be quite different from that of the United States, especially because it is so public and encouraged. I appreciated Jo talking us to a fabric shop and teaching us about the history and significance behind the different types of fabric. I found the religious fabric used to make church uniforms especially interesting yet beautiful and unifying.

Our visit to Constitution Hill was a lot more somber than anything else we have done so far. While prisons in general are always depressing, the humiliating treatment of the prisoners and the general uncleanliness  and filth they were forced to live in was truly daunting. The isolation cells were what truly horrified me though. I made it one step inside and could not take another step or stay in for longer than seven seconds, as I could physically feel the negative energy enter me and my spirit being drained. The fact that some people were at times forced to spend entire years inside the isolation cells is horribly depressing and I couldn’t fathom even spending a minute in one even with the door open.

Also getting phones is more difficult than it should be.