day seven: robben island

Robben Island is where Nelson Mandela was held in prison for 18 of his 27 years in prison. We were fortunate enough to be able to visit the island that was so rich in the history and culture of South Africa. We took a tour of the entire island (which is beaaautiful!), and then the prison. Our tour guide for the prison was a former prisoner with Mandela (!) and his perspective and story were fascinating. He ended the talk by thanking our countries for support during the apartheid, which ended only in 1994. It was so moving to hear him say that South Africa is now a "rainbow nation" where all colors are equal!

We're on this journey together.

Penguin Crossing

"Leper Graveyard"

My roommate Katherine and me

Stunning views of Cape Town and Table Mountain from Robben Island.

Our team, plus a few extras who wanted to jump in the picture on the left!

I found the apartheid to be extremely fascinating, and also so moving in many ways because I experienced similar racial tensions growing up in the South, albeit 30 to 40 years later. This was one of my favorite days in South Africa because it was so encouraging to hear the former prisoner's story of love and forgiveness despite being so mistreated.