Dream Trip 2009

Great Travel Moment

I spent a month in South Africa in January 1999 during my freshman year of college. Our guide, Sandile, was an alumnus of the college who grew up in South Africa and returned there after college. This photo was taken at his village outside of Johannesburg. We had the chance to meet so many wonderful people there, including the two friends you see here. As we were heading back to our bus, they ran to me, took my hands, and asked what my name was. We exchanged names, and the more outgoing of the two, the girl in the red dress, smiled and said, "Sister Amber." The people there didn't have much, but they were so and welcoming and willing to share what they did have. The warmth of the people is what I remember most, and it is what made me fall in love with South Africa.