It may be too early to write my first post but I just wanted to record everything from the very beginning.
I met with my mentor Dr. Jackie Campbell around 2 weeks ago. Before going, of course, I googled her and found out all these amazing things about her. She deals a lot with Women's Health issues and violence against women. Also apparently she appeared in the Oprah Show and talked about violence against women. There are a million pages about her and the cool things she has done. I have to say women like her really inspire me especially in a world where gender based violence and inequality are still important issues. Any way, our conservation was pretty fruitful and she was very friendly. She introduced me a million new books she had read on the history of South Africa. I hope to at least read some of them. I was glad to know that other than career interests we share a love for novels!
Got my package in the mail today basically saying "start getting ready." I have to take care of vaccinations, passport and travel logistics. Looks like pretty thorough package with some handouts about the history, what to expect there, etc. I still have to go through all of it and figure out what I need to do.
I don't think it has hit me yet that I am going to South Africa this summer, especially with Physics, Epi, etc...
Right now I am also in the hunt for some free money. The International Council on Women's Health Issues Conference is going to be in Botswana in July. To my surprise a ticket from Cape Town to Botswana is almost $700 (yes I converted it right) plus the $100 registration plus my expenses for staying there. So the one week conference is going to come out to almost $1000!! Don't really know what direction to go asking for money. Tried asking Children of Persian but Mahnaz hasn't responded yet. Will update here if anything changes.
Also just wanted to explain a little bit about the name of the blog for those of you who think "man I am never going to remember the address." Well Kaapstad means Cape Town in Afrikaans and Spes Bona is the city's motto which means "Good Hope"... kind of sounds like "Believe" huh? and that's all I wanted to say about that...
ok I think this was a long enough first post,
hasta luego!
P.S. I will be posting other people's pictures of Cape Town for now and my own soon hopefully!!
