The World Seen By Sam: September 24, 2014 (Rovos Rail: Johannesburg, South Africa)

September 24, 2014

Today we were coming into Joburg, South Africa at 12 o’clock. But, before that we had breakfast, I had another omelet and cereal, then we sat back in the caboose and talked to our friends, Eunice, KT and Margaret from Singapore. One of the Singaporeans, Eunice, invited us to her house when we will be in Singapore in February.

Coming into the Rovos Rail Train Station a steam engine came and pulled us in. The Steam Engine was big and how you would think of a train. It made noises like Shhh, Shhhh, Shhhh, Shhhh. I was psyched but sad to get off the train. I enjoyed Rovos Rail. It was nice to have some down time, we haven’t been having a lot of it. I especially liked playing cards on our bed: Bamboozle, Cribbage, Gin and 10 card Gin.

In Johannesburg our driver took us to the Apartheid museum, it was very fascinating. Apartheid was when Blacks, Whites and other races were separated by their color legally. The kids in Soweto were very brave. The white people were forcing them to be taught in Afrikaans even though it wasn’t their native language. The students marched down the streets peacefully and then a few of the kids were shot and killed. We later went to the place where this happened in Soweto. They displayed photos of this and other photos and videos taken during Apartheid including the Sharpeville Massacre. Nelson Mandela had his own exhibit which told his story and his fight for racial equality and freedom, and the end of apartheid.

Outside of the museum there were colored rods symbolizing what you thought Nelson Mandela was. I picked the green rod and that symbolized forgiving. I liked learning more about Nelson Mandela, the Sharpeville Massacre and the Soweto uprising. I am grateful that South Africa no longer has Apartheid.

We drove through Soweto, which was another township where Nelson Mandela lived and Winnie Mandela still lives there along with Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Me and mom went inside Nelson Mandela’s home. It was small but very cool to see. There were two small bedrooms, a small living room, a pantry, a small bathroom and a kitchen. It was his last home before he went to prison for 27 years.

Our driver took us to Witbank where we were staying with our friends the Grundys. It was very fun being with them. That night we played some cards, watched a movie and ate some chicken and beef dinner. Part of the reason I loved being with them was because they were kids. It was fun to have kids my age to play with. I also liked Peanut their African parrot.