TIA

I have been excited for Africa since day one but had no idea what to expect. Of course I have seen the countless movies based on events in Africa and have wonder how accurately they portray the environment but I can now say they have failed to capture it’s beauty and rich culture. The first thing you realize about Africa when stepping off the plane is its sheer mass. At just under 12 Million square miles it comes in as the second largest continent. Another thing that one must make themselves aware of is that Africa is made up of dozens of states and even more providences each with its own culture and many times languages.

We flew into the city of Johannesburg located in South Africa. Something that surprised me immediately was the number of Caucasians who I came to find out were actually South Africans. The reason for this is the British invaded in the early 19th century and implemented an inland expansion of British dominance of local populations. This has led to a great diversity in South Africa and at times tensions between different races. I have talked with many locals and while they admit that it’s a dangerous country they would not choose to live anywhere else.

As we drove through the city I was surprised by the modern design and attention to detail in their architecture. It felt to me that we could be driving through any Midwest city. I do have to note that the weather is phenomenal here and a welcomed change from Asia. Currently its winter here because we are south of the equator so during the day it can be anywhere from 50 to 70 degrees and at night in the 30’s or 40’s. I am excited for what lies ahead and the opportunity to delve deeper into African culture. I am not sure why but my gut tells me God has a lot to open my eyes to in Africa. As I encounter these experiences I will do my best to convey them through my blog.