Angels of Youth Day

I would like to post today about a national holiday here that occurred yesterday. So yesterday was Youth Day. What could that be? Well in 1976 a few young students in Soweto decided to stand up against the Apartheid government and so they organized a march. Someone told us a bit about Youth Day and stated that this is thought of as the beginning of the end of the Apartheid government. Amazing the power of the youth. Please research this because I know I do not have all the facts and I am sure it is a good thing to know about. I am going to do some research as well and maybe come with another post but I think this would be a good holiday to start commemorating. June 16^th 1976.

To commemorate it this year we were assisted by some local residents who were concerned with our safety. On a beautiful June day, Rachel and I thought we would walk to one of the street markets in town, buy some souvenirs and then continue to the Spain v. Switzerland match. So as we were walking, we had to come down off the hill that the hospital we are staying at is located. Once we got off the hill we are pretty much downtown. We had to take out our map to ensure we were going the right direction when a man in a handyman truck stops next to us and asks, “Are you alright? Do you need help finding somewhere? Where are you going?” We stated we were going to the Victoria street market and he replied, “Just go that way to the traffic light there and turn right. That will get you there.” We said thank you and were on our way. We got about five steps when an Audi pulled up next to us and said just about the same thing. But this time the driver stopped short and said how about you just get in the car and I will give you a ride there. That is when I figured we were getting into an area that we did not want to be. Essazk Adams, a life long resident of Durban, was our angel for the day. Something we did not think about but that Essazk made us aware of, was the fact that since it was a holiday, the police visibility was going to be less until match time. We also did not realize that the street market was pretty much closed on the holiday as well. And finally our map did not give us a good idea how far of a walk the market was.

So Essazk Adams, we are very thankful for your willingness to help some stupid American tourists out. I hope we have a chance to repay you in the future.

This is such a great example of how much South Africa wants to give a great impression to the whole world. Rachel and I have had a great time so far here in Durban. It is a beautiful city and country.

Cheers until tomorrow.