• 05Jun

  MY JOURNEY…..THE BEGINNING AND THE END (06/05/09)

  Category: Ivy Horn-Scott, Uncategorized  Posted by: Ivy Scott at 6:39 pm   5 Comments

  We have been back in the United States for about 2 weeks now. During this time, I have had an opportunity to reflect on my incredible trip.  I started my journey to South Africa almost a month ago.  Before I left, my hopes were to learn about the history of South Africa and really take in one of the birthplaces of my ancestors.  I have been many places, but none have touched me or moved me as my trip to South Africa has done.   I did not expect to see people living in huts or as primitive as most people would expect when you say “Africa”.  However, I was truly amazed how advanced and modern South Africa has become.  It reminded me very much of a major city in the United States.  Even the ways of dressing, the hair styles, and the buildings were as current as what we have here in the U.S.  In that way, South Africa exceeded my expectations.

  One of things that I have constantly mentioned in my blogs is the parallelism of South Africa’s tumultuous history to our history here in the United States.  From segregation to affirmative action, our worlds are very much similar.  However, I think South Africa has a better chance of being a very strong country because of their sense of community and their love for South Africa.  My hope is that in the next decade or so, major accomplishments will continue to be the norm in their society.

  Our visits to all the different companies were truly enlightening on the dynamics of emerging markets.  The cultural visits enhanced our understanding of the history and people who have made South Africa what it is today. 

  For me, this journey has been one of great gratitude and one that has challenged me to be better in the giving of my time and my money (what little I have-LOL) as a way of service to others who are less fortunate than me.  Although, I am not wealthy by any standards in America, the little that I do spend on frivolous things could help a little village in Africa.  For that, I am most thankful to be blessed to be a blessing to someone else.

  As I close my last blog, I can truly say that my journey to South Africa and all of my feelings, emotions, and experiences with the people I have met (including my classmates) will be something that I will always remember and carry with me for a lifetime.

   

• 29May

  VILLAGES VERSUS THE CORPORATE WORLD (05/22/09)

  Category: Ivy Horn-Scott, Uncategorized  Posted by: Ivy Scott at 8:26 am   No Comments

  Yesterday, we visited the ShangaanVillage.  We met the Chief who talked about how their tribe originally lived in the Kruger Park area and now are on the outskirts.  However, they feel pride in knowing that their homeland is now an internationally known area for all of Africa and the world.  The Chief described how he tries to instill the Shangaan heritage into the new generation, so that they have a foundation.  This does not mean the children are not a part of the new world, but they will have roots in their culture and still be active in other ways outside of their village.  The children performed several dances for us.  We also met the Chief’s heir, who is his little son.  He was so adorable and he had to perform a solo dance.  The Chief told us that his son will go to live somewhere else and be trained in the ways of being a chief.

  Today, we visited Coca Cola Africa and heard about their marketing strategy and brand plan.  The man who made the presentation is a very good sales person.  Basically, Coke markets their drinks to kids and then uses the kids to hook the adults.  However, they make it seem like they are providing access to a group who never was afforded the opportunity to buy Cokes.  But, it in all fairness to Coke, although they sell sugary drinks to kids, the company has a lot of environmental and community outreach programs.  For that, I can appreciate them more.

  Our last stop was the South African law firm Routledge Modise, which was of particular interest to me being an attorney.  It was so interesting to hear how similar law firms are around the world.  The same issues American attorneys deal with, South African attorneys deal with as well.  However, this particular law firm has fostered an environment where you can have quality of life.  The attorneys all came from different law firms and enjoyed working at Routledge Modise.

  Yesterday and today’s visits represent what South Africa is all about.  They have the old traditions and history represented by the Shangaan Tribe.  The Routledge Modise law firm, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, and Coca Cola Africa represent the modern South Africa.  Right now, these two worlds are co-existing, which makes South Africa very unique.  Usually one washes away the other, but somehow, South Africa maintains both.

• 29May

  LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS….OH MY!!!!!! – PART TWO (05/20/09)

  Category: Ivy Horn-Scott, Uncategorized  Posted by: Ivy Scott at 8:25 am   No Comments

  Today, we had a new tour guide named Frankie.  Frankie was supposed to be the least experienced of the other guides; however, our truck saw the most animals and most of all…we were the only ones to see the leopard!!!!  I believe my group is magical….we see everything.  (LOL) 

  This morning’s tour was not a disappointment.  I tried to figure out how we could top last night’s adventure.  Kruger Park did not disappoint.  We came across this enormous elephant crossing the road.  I have it on video.  He was already agitated before he saw us and apparently our presence irked him even more.  He started turning towards us and walking like he was about to charge us.  We all got kind of scared.  Frankie did not want to start the engine and make the elephant charge us, so he let the car roll backwards a distance from the elephant and told us to be still and not make any sudden movements.  Ana was telling Frankie, “Okay, okay, we need to move.”  It is funny when I think how panicked we all were, but it was not so funny at the time.

  I had so much fun seeing all the different animals, like zebras, water buffalos, impalas, giraffes, kudus, hippos, alligators, birds, monkeys, baboons, lions, and most of all the elephants.  This was a true representation of Animal Kingdom.

• 27May

  LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS….OH MY!!!!!! – PART ONE (05/20/09)

  Category: Ivy Horn-Scott, Uncategorized  Posted by: Ivy Scott at 8:25 am   No Comments

  We saw so many animals last night.  We did a nocturnal drive at Kruger Park.  It is one thing to see animals at the zoo…those are far behind plexi-glass or tall walls.  It is a whole different story when you are in the forest with them, free to roam.  Opal (I hope I spelled his name correctly) was our guide.  He must have been born with night vision because he could spot an animal in the pitch dark in a tree, behind a bush, or in the grass.  The animals really do blend into the forest.  I never thought about how each of their colors matches the trees and grass in some kind of way. 

  Our job was to try and spot The Big Five….the elephant, water buffalo, leopard, rhino, and the lion.  What luck….we saw a lion just lying in the middle of the road.  She was resting on the cool pavement.  We disturbed her, but she looked at us and walked away.  Unbelievable!  Then we saw an elephant eating from a tree.  We only had lights and the flash from the cameras.  The elephant did not even seem phased by us snapping pictures.  He kept eating.  (LOL)

  Opal stopped the truck and showed us a chameleon hiding in a tree.  Then we saw a genet, which looks like a cat, but it has a striped black and white long tail.  It was so much fun.  I saw a rhino as well.  These animals are huge when you are close to them.  We saw so many different animals that I had never heard of before.  Opal rocks!  The other group did not see anything.  I am on the lucky bus!!!!

• 27May

  THE HILLS ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF MUSIC (05/19/09)

  Category: Ivy Horn-Scott, Uncategorized  Posted by: Ivy Scott at 8:21 am   No Comments

  Last night we stayed at a cabin on top of Dragon Mountain (the English version of the name).  The road was pitch black and unpaved.  We bumped and rocked all the way up this mountain.  I was so scared because we could not see anything, but our guide seemed to know what he was doing.  Then we saw impalas running along the side of our truck.  I had never seen one before.  They were jumping and we all were looking like little kids in amazement.  (LOL)  The sky was so clear that we could see the stars…..so many stars.  They were so low, you felt like you could reach up and grab one.  I tried to take a picture, but unfortunately, it did not come out.

  Two little dogs came to greet us.  They were so cute.  Jaime even re-named one “Moto”.  Moto escorted us up the hill to our cabin and made sure we got there safely.  He even came back later to say goodnight.  Ursula closed the curtain on him, so he went and stayed with the guys. 

  We ate some delicious venison stew at Old Kaia’s and Ken played the piano.  He is really good at it and we all sang.  We had so much fun.  It was like our own little Kaia Karaoke show.  Anything involving music, singing, and dancing equals extreme fun for me.  Even Pedro played the piano and the guitar, while singing.  We pretty much shut Old Kaia’s down.  I saw two video cameras recording…..must make a mental note to destroy the evidence!!!!  (LOL)

  One of drivers left us, so we all crammed into one vehicle to go back to the top of the mountain.  The guys took the back of the truck.  The 30-minute bumpy road was not a pleasant experience for them, but we continued our karaoke night by singing every Disney movie song we could think of from Aladdin’s “A Whole New World” to The Little Mermaid’s “Down by the Sea”.  I am sure our driver was thinking to himself, “Get me away from these crazy loud Americans, singing in my ear!!!”  Kind sir, we do apologize and thank you for putting up with us.

  The morning can only be described as simply beautiful.  The sun rising and being able to see the mountains all around us was like looking at a postcard.  It was very peaceful with the birds chirping. 

« Previous Entries