On April 22, we went to Robben Island. Robben Island was primarily used as a prison. There were other uses for it, such as a training and defense station as well as an institution for the mentally ill, but most of the history that I learned about the place revolved around its historical significance as a prison for the political people who fought against Apartheid. Robben Island was one of the best things I have done for my education here in Capetown, South Africa thus far.
Before Robben Island became a museum, many African political leaders were i
mprisoned there. So therefore, visiting Robben Island was an experience I will never forget. The whole time that I was walking around and reading the stories of those who were sentenced to time on the island, thoughts of surrealsim kept going through my mind. For example, I couldn't 
believe that our tour guide was an actual prisoner of the Island for four years and was telling me parts of his personal story. I found that very admirable of him, becuase it is not east to share one's life and experiences to complete strangers. Also, I couldn't believe that I got the opportunity to walk in actual cells of prisoners who spent much of their lives there. It was so astonishing to be around and actually "see" history.
Learning about the history behind Robben Island was so incredible. There were many wonderful things about the tour, but the highlight was seeing Nelson Mandela's actual cell for his time at Robben Island! Like I actaully got to see his cell and put my hand inside it! I was awe that he had spent 18 years of his life there, and even more I couldn't believe that he also wrote a book in that cell. I cannot even begin to imagine spending 18 years of my life i
n prison and being sentenced to prison because I fought for what I beleived in. The government felt threatened against the truth and reconciliation that Mandela wanted to bring to the nation of South Africa, so they put him in prison. It was absurd.
After this experience, my beliefs of apartheid and oppression have been enlightened. Probably one of the most surreal moments for me came at the end of the tour when we were on the boat ride back to the Waterfront. I began to imagine in my head what it would have bene like for the political prisoners who were released in 1991. Just for me, I was so anxious to disembark the boat and get on land. But for the political prisoners, disembarking the boat meant so much more to them: a new life and a new beginning-freedom.
Before Robben Island became a museum, many African political leaders were i
mprisoned there. So therefore, visiting Robben Island was an experience I will never forget. The whole time that I was walking around and reading the stories of those who were sentenced to time on the island, thoughts of surrealsim kept going through my mind. For example, I couldn't 
believe that our tour guide was an actual prisoner of the Island for four years and was telling me parts of his personal story. I found that very admirable of him, becuase it is not east to share one's life and experiences to complete strangers. Also, I couldn't believe that I got the opportunity to walk in actual cells of prisoners who spent much of their lives there. It was so astonishing to be around and actually "see" history.Learning about the history behind Robben Island was so incredible. There were many wonderful things about the tour, but the highlight was seeing Nelson Mandela's actual cell for his time at Robben Island! Like I actaully got to see his cell and put my hand inside it! I was awe that he had spent 18 years of his life there, and even more I couldn't believe that he also wrote a book in that cell. I cannot even begin to imagine spending 18 years of my life i
n prison and being sentenced to prison because I fought for what I beleived in. The government felt threatened against the truth and reconciliation that Mandela wanted to bring to the nation of South Africa, so they put him in prison. It was absurd.After this experience, my beliefs of apartheid and oppression have been enlightened. Probably one of the most surreal moments for me came at the end of the tour when we were on the boat ride back to the Waterfront. I began to imagine in my head what it would have bene like for the political prisoners who were released in 1991. Just for me, I was so anxious to disembark the boat and get on land. But for the political prisoners, disembarking the boat meant so much more to them: a new life and a new beginning-freedom.
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