And so it goes...#repatriation

 

#Repatriation has been tough. I've been back in the States for two weeks now. I'm slowly beginning to sink back into my regular life. I'm beginning to forget the daily nuances of living in South Africa, like what it was like not to have constant access to clean water, a safe environment, stable internet, and the like. And the guilt is heavy. It's fitting that Thanksgiving is right around the corner, because I don't want to forget what it is like to be so thankful for the things I have -- things that so many people take for granted and things that I used to take for granted. I don't want to forget how good it feels to come home. It's hard to appreciate what you have in life if you don't ever step outside of your comfort zone and take a walk in someone else's shoes.

 

My sabbatical team (Vivek, Soichiro and I) received word this week that The Awethu Project is using our operational review as a guide for their first-ever executive offsite meeting. We actually got a personal thank you note from the Chief Investment Officer as to how thrilled the team was with our final deliverable. It felt good. It felt good to know that we made a profound impact not only on their organization, but hopefully on the longevity of all of the entrepreneurs they support. It also felt good to forward that note to my boss so he knows how hard I worked while I was away. This was not a vacation, I can assure you (and so can my stomach which I think is still recovering).


(And because I love my team so much, here are a few that I'd love to share with you from our last day.)

 

  

 

 

 

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After I arrived home, my best friends took me out to celebrate my birthday. They asked me to sum up my time in Johannesburg and tell them what I learned from this whole experience. I'm not usually at a loss for words and I shouldn't have been surprised at the question, but I'm not sure I had the answer they were looking for. The only thing that comes to mind is that I'm extremely Blessed. That WE are extremely blessed, especially in this part of the United States. Additionally, it is not lost on me that the only reason I was able to embark on this adventure is due to the kindness and generosity and trust of my family, friends and coworkers. They are the reason I was able to take a pause from my daily life to experience this adventure and find out what I was truly made of. I am blessed.

Many people have asked me if I'd ever do this again. My response (to quote my friend Hemang Desai) "I wish I could become a permanent SAP sabbaticaler" and continue to do good on behalf of SAP all over the world. 

 

This project has changed my perspective on life and overall, just changed my life completely. I have so much respect and gratitude for SAP and its true mission. I have seen first-hand that this company really does help the world Run Better.
 

 

So long good friends! See you later and see you soon! And until we meet again, I hope you remember me and think of my notes, and remember that you too are experiencing something new every day...

Cyclists & Pedestrians: Beware of Lion & Elephant

So you must know me by now. There are a few things that get me really excited and they mostly revolve around kids and animals. I love them both!  So the trip to Swaziland was right up my alley. On Sunday before leaving Swaziland, we took a trip to the other side of the country to a game reserve. The drive took us just under 2 hours and across most of the country. One of the coolest parts about being in a place so unlike your home, is what you see when you’re driving through the country. A few things to note & a few pictures to help illustrate:

1)    Skinny cows everywhere! Unfortunately not the ice cream, but literally, just very skinny cows. PETA would have a field day.

 

 

2)    Hair salons on the side of the road created from a tarp attached to 4 sticks. Pictures of the hair styles are outside so you can see your choices.

3)    More hitchhikers.

 

4)    Billboards & signs advertising help for AIDS/HIV, practicing safe sex, and using condoms are everywhere.
 

 

 

 

5)    Government corruption is universal.

6)    Speed traps (this is also a universal revenue generator).

7)    Skinny goats.

 

8)    Lots of fruit stands and other stands of sorts.

 

 

 

 

9) People in beautiful traditional dress parading to church together. Greens and blues and oranges. It is rude to take their picture, but I was able to snap a few from behind.

 

10) Other

 

 

 

 

As we entered the game park, there was a sign warning cyclists to beware of lions and elephants! Ha! A we pulled up I saw some large gray masses roaming around behind the main lodge. Hippos and Rhinos oh my!!

We loaded into the jeeps and off we went on Safari. This game drive was very interesting because the Swazi government has actually segmented the park in an effort to protect the animals, particularly the rhinos, from poachers. They keep the Rhinos and hippos close to the main lodge and in the center of the park. Then there is an antelope and small animals section, and then there is the Big 4 section on the outside of the park.

We encountered numerous elephants, 1 lion who perked up as I sang “Soft Kitty” to him, 1 giraffe, antelopes galore including a few baby impalas who were born only a few hours before, and of course the hippos and rhinos. It was absolutely fabulous.

 

 

 

Back across the country, back through the border and back to South Africa for our last week in country. We stopped at the Rhino rest stop on the way home for dinner. It’s basically like the Iowa 80 truck stop if you’ve ever been there, it just needs a dentist. We past an accident on the way home that night. A large truck had collided with some junkers in a pile up. There were 2 people lying on the side of the road. Q told me to look away but I couldn’t help but stare. I can still see them lying on pavement face down. From the look of things, I don’t believe they were still alive. It was a somber moment. As we continued on down the road, the ambulances started to head toward us toward the accident. The car went silent as our prayers went out to those in the accident.

We drifted off to sleep and woke up back in Johannesburg to fireworks displays celebrating the Indian holiday of Dwali, the celebration of lights. The week would continue to be a juxtaposition of emotions. Just 5 more days.

Something new every day…