The Librarian's Excellent Adventure

Informal Settlements

2009-11-15T16:37:00.000-08:00

University of Stellonbosch

2009-11-15T09:56:00.001-08:00

Cape Town-Green Market Square, Etc.

2009-11-15T07:38:00.000-08:00

Cape Town Central Library

2009-11-15T06:03:00.000-08:00

Cape Town/ Cable Mountain in the Morning

2009-11-15T05:47:00.000-08:00

Back at Stellenbosch

2009-11-15T05:27:00.000-08:00

Huguenot Monument

2009-11-13T08:05:00.000-08:00

Wine Country

2009-11-09T06:44:00.000-08:00

Cheetahs!

2009-11-08T07:05:00.001-08:00

Dutch Architecture--Stellenbosch

2009-11-08T06:20:00.000-08:00

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

2009-11-03T05:50:00.000-08:00

Cape of Good Hope

2009-11-02T06:39:00.000-08:00

October 24th

2009-11-01T08:19:00.000-08:00

Boulder's Beach, Part II

2009-11-01T06:18:00.001-08:00

Boulder's Beach

2009-10-31T15:04:00.001-07:00

Penguins!!!

October 24th

2009-10-31T14:05:00.001-07:00

October 24th

2009-10-31T11:36:00.000-07:00

October 24th

2009-10-30T15:17:00.001-07:00

October 23rd

2009-10-30T13:11:00.000-07:00

October 22nd

2009-10-30T11:24:00.000-07:00

October 21st

2009-10-30T11:14:00.000-07:00

October 21st
I arrived in Joburg a little around 5 p.m. in the evening. I had to go through the security screening for international passengers. It wasn’t terribly stringent, nothing like traveling in the U.S. Once I got through all of the processing at the airport, I had to get in a taxi to the hotel. The other two women I traveled with (there were two other women who missed their flights. I traveled over with them. One was from the Women in Higher Education Delegation and the other from the Dental Hygiene delegation.) They departed from the airport for a different hotel. On the ride in the taxi the first thing that struck me was these breathtakingly beautiful trees with purple flowers. I later found out that they are called Jacaranda. I got to the hotel and checked in with family via e-mail, met my roommate and went to bed. The following morning I availed myself to a very busy schedule.

October 20th

2009-10-30T11:11:00.000-07:00

October 20, 2009
A day late, I parted from the Washington DC Dulles airport for Africa. The trip included one stop, in Dakar, Senegal. The distance from DC to Dakar is roughly 6200 kilometers. The distance from Dakar in Northern Africa to Johannesburg, South Africa is 6, 707 kilometers. It struck me that it took more time to fly from Dakar to Joburg, than it took to get from the East Coast of the U.S. to Dakar, Senegal. Africa is an incredibly large continent.

Filling in the blanks

2009-10-30T11:06:00.000-07:00

Hello folks~Unfortunately, it proved nearly impossible to do the blog. The hotels we stayed in charged 250 Rand per day to be online. That is around $30/day. I just couldn't afford it. Also, the days were so packed that I was truly exhausted at days end!!! Anyway, I am now going to try to fill in the blanks little by little so that you all can see my pictures and read about the things I learned and thought about. Indeed, I am still processing it all.

Arrival in Johannesburg

2009-10-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

I've arrived...a day late, but really no worse for wear. I am exhausted though. It is 7 p.m. here and I intend to make it an early night.

Internet access is a bit expensive, so I will try to blog as often as I can, but it may be spotty.

Good night's sleep

2009-10-20T07:07:00.000-07:00

Ah...well, I had an excellent's night sleep and a great dinner last night. I've finally relaxed...and am hopeful that today will go more smoothly. There are 2 other women who didn't make the connection, so I will be able to meet up with them shortly.

2009-10-19T07:33:00.001-07:00

Well, there is a reason that there is an old adage, that if something can go wrong it will.
Yes, I'm having a glass is half empty moment. There was a gate change for my connecting flight in JFK but it was not listed at the gate where I was waiting (the one it was supposed to go out of). They said they announced it. If they did I didn't hear it, and I was listening closely. Oh well. Long story short, the only flight they can put me on won't get me into Dulles until 5. The flight for South Africa leaves at 5:40...meaning I probably won't make the connection. It looks like the best they can do is fly me out the next day (5:40 tomorrow evening). I'll have to stay in DC for the night. My luggage however made the flight! So, I'll track that down when I get there.

Background

2009-10-15T08:43:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I admit there may be something a wee bit egotistical about doing a blog, and well, there is that, but also as I have to create a journal for the People to People Ambassador program, I admit that this experiment is two-fold and will serve both purposes.

Here's some background on the trip (Okay, alot of background, and probably more than anyone in their right mind would want to read): On January 30th I received a letter from the People to People Citizen Ambassador Program out of Spokane Washington inviting me to be part of the Library Science Delegation to South Africa in October.

What is a Citizen Ambassador Program? Citizen Ambassadors represent their profession and continue the traditions (of over 50 years) of international dialogue in their profession. The Citizen Ambassador Program was founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower as a vehicle to expand international relations beyond the structure of government agencies. People to People International is a nonpolitical, private-sector organization dedicated to promoting international peace and understanding. Face-to-face meetings and interactions with South African counterparts yield immediate professional applications and personal insights for delegates and their counterparts and produces long-term collaborations. An average delegation is made up of 20-40 participants.

I sent an application outlining my professional and educational background and was accepted into the delegation.

During a regular board meeting of the Jay-Niles Memorial Library Association Board of Trustees, I presented the opportunity to the board and offered examples of how I might be able to share this experience with the community on my return. A couple of ideas include: a slide show and presentation of the trip and visits to the Jay schools to share photos, local arts and crafts, and cultural information with local students. The board agreed to support the trip and use funds intended for continuing education.

John Berry, the past president of the American Library Association and the Freedom to Read Foundation is the delegation leader. Mr. Berry as well as the planning team in South Africa is responsible for creating the mission and direction of the delegation.

During the first part of the journey delegates will be staying in the Protea Wanderers Hotel. Upon arrival delegates will meet with a local representative of People to People Ambassador Programs for an orientation and cultural briefing on South Africa as well as to receive further information on the delegation. There are a number of professional and cultural experiences to follow.

Professional and cultural opportunities for the Johannesburg area-

Professional opportunities will include:
Meeting with Rachel More from the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA). This program will focus on the state of librarianship in South Africa, and LIASA activities and purpose.
A visit to the University of Pretoria. UP is the leading research university in South Africa and one of the largest universities in the country. The program will focus on E-learning and digitization in large academic institutions.
A visit to the University of South Africa (UNISA) Library. The program will focus on how distance learning challenges academic and other libraries.
A visit with members of the Mae Jemison U.S. Science Reading Room. The Reading Room is on the Mamelodi Campus of the University of Pretoria. Its’ aim is to boost the education of students in the community about science and related subjects.

Cultural opportunities will include:
A visit to Soweto and will include a visit to the Hector Pietersen Museum.
An event with the Consulate General of the U.S. Embassy.
A visit to the Origins Museum, a world class museum facility that comprises two museums: The South African Museum on Rock Art and the James Kitching Gallery. The exhibits will focus on the origins of humans and life on earth.
During the journey, delegates will be transported to Cape Town and stay at the Southern Cape Sun Hotel. This hotel overlooks Table Mountain and the harbor.

Professional and Cultural opportunities for Cape Town area-

Professional:
· A visit to the Cape Town Central Library. Libraries and Literacy in South African will be discussed on this day.
· Meeting with staff of the Stellenbosch University including Ellen Tise, President of the International Federation of Library Associations. The focus will be on the IFLA president’s agenda for the International library community, advocacy for libraries, the role of libraries in empowering society, and a discussion on how to better enhance professional exchanges between South African and U.S. library workers.

Cultural:
· Delegates will have a coach tour of the Cape Peninsula and Cape Point in the Table Mountain National Park.
· A visit to Camps Bay and Hout Bay.
· The Chapman’s Peak Drive and the Cape Peninsula National Park.
· An exploration of and a visit to the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach, home of the rare African penguin.
· A visit to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
· The Green Point African Craft Market.
· A visit to the home of a local family.
· Exploration of the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.
· A visit to the University Sasol Museum.

Other info:
JNML board members have asked about whether I might blog my trip. I plan to do this. To see the blog, go on to the library web page at www.jaynileslibrary.com.

I will take a domestic flight from Portland, Maine to Dulles Airport in DC. From there I will be taking an international flight to Dakar and then on to South Africa. From the U.S. to South Africa it takes 18.2 hours.

I will be rooming with Roberta Stevens, the ALA president elect who works at the Library of Congress.

South Africa basics:
Official name: The Republic of South Africa.
Area: 471,011 square miles (slightly less than twice the size of Texas)
Population: 43,786,115
Labor Force: Agriculture 9%; Industry 26%; Services 65%
South Africa is bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland. It completely surrounds the country of Lesotho.
Language: There are 11 official languages: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, and Zulu. The most widely spoken are Afrikaans and English.
Cuisine: a blend of Dutch, French, German, and Malay flavors typically applied to lamb, beef, or seafood.
Climate: Very similar to the San Francisco Bay area. It will be Springtime in South Africa!!!
Time: South Africa is 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

Episode 1: Preparing for the trip...

2009-10-14T12:21:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I am completely scattered. I've been trying to get things done at work, and packing my bags at home. And...5 days before the trip, here I am learning how to blog!!! I think this will be fun!
So, in preparation for my trip, I've been looking at a few clips on South Africa on You Tube. While I won't be going to Kruger National Park, it was suggested that I look at the video called Battle at Kruger. Lions may be ferocious, but don't mess with Water Buffalo. They can be vicious! Throw in a Crocodile...and a good time is had by all.