Cape Town Rabbit Hole

Have you ever returned to a place after many years and felt that tingling familiarity twinged with strangeness? Almost like you dreamt about the place, but haven’t actually been there?

Visiting the city centre in Cape Town today was like that for me. I think more and more will come back as I continue to explore, but today’s first foray was a psychological adventure.

How incredible life is, that we get to experience such things. More and more layers, more depth and dimensions are added as we get older. From one mindset, getting older only means richer experiences.

Life is amazing. As I once advocated for a morning wakeup statement: This is a Miracle.

The 3 Africas

It’s been a different experience here in the Western Cape. Over the past 2 days I’ve had several political, cultural, and economic discussions with my South African hosts, and it’s been enlightening. They are well educated, well read, and well informed, and their views are very different from my North American ones.

I once had a student from Angola tell me there are 3 Africas: “Arabic Africa,” “Black Africa,” and “White Africa.” Those generalized cultures are roughly demarcated into 3 distinct geographic parts of the continent, but I think most people see it more economically. Cape Town is developed, and many areas offer quality education—similar to what one would expect in the Bay Area, where I grew up. This is drastically different than where I just was in “Black Africa.”

Education, particularly access to it, makes all the difference. My South African hosts and I might have dissimilar viewpoints on some issues, but we can have a conversation about the same set of issues. Quality education for all leads to better economics for all, and will erase these imaginary borders we construct, like the 3 Africas. Besides, we live on the surface of a sphere, not on a map with lines on it.

Human Legacy

Another unspoken thing about traveling is the blunt exposure to different ideas, not always ones you agree with. Yes you get to experience different cultures when you visit new places, but what if it’s hard for you to mesh with those cultures? What about when you’re exposed to gender inequality, racism, and closed mindedness?

American culture has its unsavory aspects as well, and I’d give anything to explore the country as a foreigner, to see how the culture feels like to someone on the outside.

None of our cultures are perfect, none of our histories are free from darkness. We’re not in charge of those things. But we are responsible for ourselves, and if we all diligently try to be the best we can be, it will affect our cultures and histories.

Our legacy is not one of greatness, but of goodness.

Return to South Africa

Today I return to South Africa. It’s been more than 7 years since I lived in Cape Town, and I’m a little nervous and a lot excited to go back. Will I recognize my old stomping grounds? How much will the city have changed? Did I glorify the city in my mind, are my memories rose-tinted?

I don’t believe that, but there’s only one way to find out.

I’m excited to show my partner this beautiful and historical place. I’m excited to gaze up at imposing Table Mountain with the sea wind at my back. I’m excited to fight the Southeasterly on a bicycle. Most of all, I’m excited to reconnect with the place I once called home.

Cape Town was the first place I lived outside of the U.S. Young and dumb and bold at 23, I really came into my own there. It was also the place I received my vision. It was there I recognized the essence and importance of education, there that I saw my path. It’s been a wild, sometimes rocky, and always unpredictable road from then to now, but there’s no denying the source was Cape Town.

It will be good to be back.

Tanzania from A to Z

I arrived in Arusha on October 8, 2019, and after leaving Zanzibar today, I’ll be boarding a South Africa bound plane tomorrow. It has certainly been a journey.

Tanzania is a country of great beauty. Even from the belly of Arusha, one only had to look up to the north to see Mt. Meru towering in the distance. Some parts of Arusha go through lush jungle. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the Serengeti, Lake Manyara National Park; they’re all beautiful. And of course Zanzibar’s stunning beaches is renowned around the world.

Tanzania is also very poor. Arusha, the second largest city in the country, really only has one main industry: tourism, and the sub-industries that support it. The infrastructure in the city is appalling—probably a twentieth of the city’s roads are paved, electricity is consistently weak in strength and blackouts are common, and most residential units do not have running water. Tourism props up the Stone Town district of Zanzibar city, but the village I stayed in on the east side of the island epitomized the third world.

Despite the poverty, Tanzanians are happy and friendly. They go about their day with spirit and gusto. They’re quick to flash a smile and say hello. Locals enjoy being social, eating together, and watching football. Tanzania is a shining example that circumstances need not control your mindset or your happiness.

Unlike most of the other countries I’ve been to, I didn’t come to Tanzania as a tourist. I came to do something. To get something done. It’s apparent that a lack of education is Tanzania’s number one problem, and that it needs to be the country’s number one priority. That has been the most illuminating fact about my journey here. I’ve met wonderful people, made lifelong friends, seen incredible things, and experienced amazing places. But most of all, Tanzania has shown me Earth’s future: we must educate ourselves, we will educate ourselves. Education is the answer. It will change the world.

Wind Power Station 7 sits as a mute reminder..

It’s not an absolute perfect overall fit, but the feel of “Zanzibar” is dead on with that of actual Zanzibar.

I’m talking about Halo 2 of course. Maybe with the UNESCO World Heritage Site status, Zanzibar feels a little more like Last Resort. I was always better at Halo 3 anyway.

It’s a little rundown here. There’s hints of a more prosperous past. Darkness as well. The slave trade was a big business on this island. And there’s the beach.

I don’t think I’ll make it to the locations of any of the other multiplayer levels, seeing as most are in space. But the remoteness, the exotic vibe of the island, the unique influx of cultures, the history and architecture—the real Zanzibar is a playground in its own right.

Adventure is out there

Even with the whole world mapped, with that map being within the computer in your pocket, adventure is still out there. You just have to know when you’re looking at it.

Adventure can be witnessing the sunrise or sunset on the other side of the world. It will feel different, I promise you.

Adventure can be riding the bumpy wave that are the dala dalas. Not knowing the route will make it feel like you’re exploring the brand new.

Adventure can be seeing new animals you’ve never seen before. When it’s an endemic species native to only the part of the Earth you’re currently visiting, it will feel like a new planet.

Adventure can be experiencing the exotic smells, the foreign music, and the distinctive architecture of a new city on a new continent.

Adventure can be learning new ways of doing things, new ways of living life.

Adventure is out there still. The world may be mapped. You may have seen pictures. But experiencing is believing, and travel is experiencing all our beautiful Earth has to offer. Have yourself an adventure.

Twitter News Trial: Observations

After one month of experimenting with Twitter as my primary news source, here are my observations:

• I didn’t even need 10 minutes for browsing—digesting the main stories took about half that time

• Related, there are only a few major ongoing trends at a time, and the rest is just fluff

• As I wrote several days ago, I had to unfollow Trump’s account—it was too negative, too in-your-face. I felt like I was being yelled at

• There is definitely a negative tint to the news, and the act of following it. Most things that are reported are “bad,” rather than “good”

• Even though I took care in choosing which few news outlets to follow, it still required me to be diligent in staying neutral. I had to continuously ask myself, “Are these facts? Is there bias here? What’s really going on?”

• Still, in following only 6 accounts, I had to wade through lots of ads and opinion pieces while perusing. Twitter’s UI is definitely designed and optimized to keep you on the platform

• I did enjoy being better informed with what was happening around the world

So the big question—will I continue? Yes, I will use Twitter to keep current on world events. I think I’ll drop it down a bit, and log on every other day as opposed to daily. Despite some of the platform’s shortcomings, I think it’s worth staying informed, and a few minutes of Twitter every couple days seems to be the most efficient option. It’s also free.

I’ll continue to refine my system and will post any further thoughts. Keeping up with current events is an important responsibility of being a global citizen.

The Wind of Words

People will never forget how you made them feel. Such wisdom from Maya Angelou. Donald Trump doesn’t seem to understand that.

That has been my number one takeaway so far in my Twitter News Trial. Regardless of his administration’s policies, whether this bill or that law results in America’s success or ruin, there are thousands of Americans who will not care. Their emotions, what they feel, because of some of the things he’s said, will not let them see the results. I’m not saying that’s justified, but it is the reality.

In my reading of the Game of Thrones books the phrase “words are wind” has appeared multiple times recently. Words are not wind. People remember them. How you talk to people matters. It’s a lesson we can all remember. It’s one we can apply to any discussions, political or otherwise, we have in the future. It’s one we needs heed moving forward. Sometimes measured words are most productive, because their wind fans no fire.

Using Technology

The cliche is to escape to an island paradise, and to disconnect from everything.

I guess I’m not following the trend. I’ve used my phone throughout the day when at our favorite bar. A beer every two or three hours, and WiFi for the day.

Technology can be good.

I got to FaceTime with my best friend for an hour today. I made some progress in arranging accommodation for some of our next stops. I communicated with the airline that changed our entire flight itinerary down to South Africa. I downloaded my next book.

All of these things were made possible by technology. I might be having a nice string of lazy days, but technology enables me to be productive in haphazard spurts of my choosing.

We just need to be weary of technology’s pull. Private companies worth billions of dollars spend millions, on marketing and operations, on the salaries of teams of engineers to build systems designed to attract and maintain our attention.

If we can avoid, resist, and outsmart those systems and all the psychological hooks and traps, we can harness technology’s true potential on an individual and collective basis.

I get sucked into those traps here at the beach, the same as if I would back home. But that distraction sure is a far cry from the serene beauty I’m surrounded by. Because it’s so easy to disconnect, it’s easy to see through those intricately designed systems.

Technology can be good. Let’s use it for what matters.

Like Football

Football is the most popular sport in the world, at least among men. There’s a simple reason for that: the (lack of) equipment. All you need is something like a ball—I’ve seen balled up socks used as a substitute. Trash can be used to mark the goals. And you’re ready to play! Even here in Jambiani, where it’s incredibly poor, I’ve seen dozens of children playing in the streets. There’s also a nightly game played out on the sand around dusk.

My post yesterday advocated for buying and consuming less stuff. The day before I talked of transcending economics just by changing our perspectives. These are not all-encompassing solutions that make the problems go away. But they are things all humans can do, regardless of age, socioeconomic status, culture or gender. They require nothing other than consideration, awareness, and resolve. Much like football.

Simple Sustainability

On this extended trip I took an old 16L High Sierra backpack for carrying stuff during the day. Early in my travels I learned its glaring deficiencies: the zippers get caught on their protective covers constantly and there’s a weird middle sleeve that doesn’t hold things well without the straps being adjusted all the time. Small issues right? Well, when you’re using a piece of equipment every day, and something as simple as opening the pack becomes an arduous task each time, it gets frustrating.

Until it doesn’t. It’s been about 4 months on the road now, and I’ve gotten used to the zippers and the sleeve. And I’ve realized that the backpack is still useful, it still functions. What a waste it would be to throw away Old Blue, as I’ve come to affectionately call it, for a new bag. This one works. It’s far from perfect but it does what I need it to do. I’m not going to discard it for something new until it wears out.

I know it’s blasphemous to suggest an approach like this for our phones, but what if we did this with all our possessions? You come to learn that the newest and best isn’t really paramount to your happiness. Like recycling, the first tenet of sustainability is reduce consumption. Sometimes it’s simply about becoming comfortable with what you got.

Transcending Economics

There’s definitely a sense of “the other” on Zanzibar. I experienced some of the same on the mainland. For the most part, locals live in poverty. Tourists stream into the island, obviously here for vacation. The whole situation breeds resentment amongst the natives, because what they don’t and can’t have is flaunted before their eyes, on a daily basis.

Economics seems to be the large unspoken barrier in a lot of these types of situations, much larger than any cultural or language ones. The invisible hand and market dynamics control our system, but there is no control when people of vastly different circumstances move across the globe and are juxtaposed against each other. It’s hard to defeat that. I have no answers.

Except that we can remember we’re all people, living on the same planet. If we do what we can to help and serve others, and just be kind to one another, perchance we break through that economic barrier, and any others we may face. If we build such a sentiment, a global consciousness, we will overcome and prosper.

A Day at the Beach

Sometimes there’s nothing better than lying around with a good book. Sleeping a lot—short naps on and off throughout the day. Sand crabs scuttling across the white sand to keep your thoughts company. Reggae music at just the volume to be background but not prominent. The wind blowing through your hair and the constant sound of the sea. This is a day in the life of the tropics, a day at the beach. Sometimes we need downtime, and that’s okay. Harder place to find for that downtime than the beach.

One Sort of Paradise

Just the name of Zanzibar is exotic and alluring. The island itself lives up to the hype.

I was always curious about the place ever since Halo 2’s notorious level. The sunlight and vibe matches the game’s feel as much as my imagination’s.

The epitome of beachy and laid back, but also grimey and remote. And it’s that seclusion that makes it paradise.

Our world has places like this, as well as the epicenters of industry and commerce. Both should be visited to fully grasp the planet’s diversity and glory.

Thanksgiving in Zanzibar

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. There’s no consumerism coverup, it’s just families getting together to share, eat, and be thankful.

And it occurs during Autumn, which has become my favorite season. You can reflect back on the year, the weather is transitioning but not yet too cold, and you still have the bang that is the end of the year looming, with the prospect of next year on the horizon.

So this truly festive celebration of family and gratitude happens during a joyous and exciting time of year—what a holiday!

I’ve just never celebrated Thanksgiving on the beach.

For me, 2019 has been an unbelievable journey. I am so incredibly fortunate to get to experience such adventure. I am grateful for my amazing partner, who took the plunge with me. This is something I will look back on with fierce nostalgia for the rest of my life.

I believe it’s important to express gratitude every single day, but I love that there’s a special day dedicated just to thankfulness. Happy Thanksgiving.

Last Day in Arusha

I can’t believe it's already my last day in Arusha. The time has gone by so fast. Europe, and especially South America, seem years ago.

My time here has been enlightening. Not only did my safari experience ground me, I’ve also learned much about East African culture, and even more about myself. That’s one of the best consequences of traveling; inevitably, you change and grow.

Arusha has reinforced that I need to continue to work on my patience. Things are slow here, and sometimes you just have to relax and go with the flow. Because you know what? Things will work out, they always do. In the big picture, most of the things that don’t go our way aren’t that big of a deal.

I’ve also become more aware living in Arusha. There are so many people around the world without basic utilities, with no access to education, and Arusha has brought that directly to the fore. It’s not people’s fault they aren’t educated or aware—how could they know any different? If I traded places with them, I would be the exact same. Arusha has taught me to remember that.

Finally, Arusha has encouraged me to enjoy. Locals here are incredibly friendly. You never know who you might meet, what you might learn. And at the end of the day, are we not supposed to enjoy life? There are many grand things we can set out to do, but we are alive, and the gift of life deserves to be enjoyed.

I am proud of what has been accomplished here. I will return one day, and I can’t wait to see how everything has progressed. Thank you Arusha. Thank you for everything you have given me. I will see you again. I’ll want to check on the jacaranda tree! Until next time…catch ya on the flip side.

Basic Things

It’s amazing how we adapt. For the past 7 weeks I’ve lived without running water, with inconsistent electricity access, while eating a vastly different diet. All of those things have been easier for me to adjust to than the hakuna matata attitude here.

Because I believe all human beings should have access to core utilities. The people of Tanzania are resilient and care free, but they shouldn’t need to be the former.

Everyone on the planet should have access to some basic things: clean drinking water and a water/waste management system, electricity/basic energy, healthy foods at manageable costs, affordable public transportation, the ability to access the internet/information, and an education and healthcare system that serves them.

We have the capability to deliver that to everyone on the planet. Isn't it interesting that almost all of these basic things are related to climate change?

We can demand these things globally as citizens of Earth. We deserve them, and if we want our beautiful home to stay the way it is, we need them. As national elections and international meetings happen, we can elevate these issues to paramount importance. We can do this. We can change the world.

A Day of Hope

Today is a day of gratitude, and of hope. We have officially ended our fundraiser for Kyosei Training Centre here in Arusha. The support we have received has been overwhelming—over $7500 USD raised. Incredible. This amount of money will go so far here.

I’m happy to announce that the fundraiser has been wildly successful in meeting its objective—to finish the completion of Kyosei’s new school. The finishing touches are still being done, but the rooms are finished—polished floors, ceilings with crown molding, painted walls. The furniture is almost ready to be delivered—32 brand new double desks and 64 chairs for the kids. We even have enough money to load the classrooms with supplies so the children will have everything they need to start the school year in January.

All of this could not be done without the help of several people. Thank you to my loving, selfless partner who has gone on this amazing journey with me. Tara and Richie, who just wrote an article about their experience volunteering around the world, were a huge help with the actual construction of the site. And of course all our donors—so many people contributed to this cause. My heart swells with gratitude, and with hope.

It can become disheartening to read the news and see what’s happening in the world today. There are serious political struggles in Hong Kong, Bolivia, and the United States. There are still cultural and religious clashes throughout the world. Violence and hunger persist. It’s easy to give in and despair.

But there is good in this world as well, and it’s growing stronger.

Yes, there are many problems, and big ones. But the problems aren’t insurmountable. We are solving them. People all around the world, in places both rich and poor, from drastically different cultures, are working to build the future. We are bettering the world for our children, and our children’s children.

And we will succeed. We will not only live on, but thrive. We will take our rightful place within the ecosystem of our planet, and we will unite as a species. We will continue to progress forward. We will continue to learn from each other, and we will continue to make the world a better place for all. We will change the world. It’s happening right now. Are you a part of it?

Africa on the move

I love the experience of taking photos, but I’m still learning how to process them. It takes me a long time to edit them in post.

But when I look at some of the things I’ve seen here in Africa, it always gives me pause. The above photo was taken with an iPhone while rollicking down the slope of the Ngorongoro crater. I call these snaps “moving photography”—I do the same while walking the streets of Arusha.

It’s not a spectacular photo, but to think it was taken in a split second while standing up in an SUV.. it just shows how beautiful that morning was. How beautiful the African continent is.

That’s why there’s a spiritual force here. I truly believe everyone who visits here feels it. This is Africa. The land of mystery, of life, of despair and hope and the wild. Being here connects us to the Earth.

What a beautiful planet it is.