First Post - Psyching Myself Up

I'll be heading out to Cape Town on June 17th.  Here is some info. on Cape Town from Cross Cultural Solutions - the organization I am traveling with. 

Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa, and the influences from the many different cultures of the nation can be seen throughout the city. However, the effects of apartheid persist as many communities remain divided — ranging from huge mansions in some suburbs to the growing informal settlements and shanty towns that have developed within the townships.

While there has been noticeable development and progress in these townships, many families are still living in unsafe and overcrowded conditions. Plus, the legacy of apartheid casts a shadow on people’s lives in many other ways including poor socio-economic conditions and limited access to quality services. For communities already struggling with high unemployment and a lack of services, the widespread impact of HIV/AIDS creates new challenges for progress. In addition, traditional beliefs and modern approaches to governance, health, education and development are sometimes in conflict, creating a continuous struggle in a city striving to respect and embrace its varied cultural heritages.