Encounter with fear











My this trip - My first travel
to western world – has been eventful. On Sunday, a workshop mate from Ethiopia
and I visited Johannesburg and then to a township called Soweto.  On our
way back, we were robbed and I was attacked too.  The robbers ( a group of
some 10) took all our stuff. I had minor injuries on face too. Somehow, we
managed to get a taxi who dropped us at hotel in Pretoria. I was taken care of
nicely by organizers, and workshop mates. Had first aid, medicines and
registered a formal complaint to police. I lost wallet with some money, phone
and a diary in which I was writing travel musings for Dhrishita. However,
reflecting back I believe I have been very lucky to have escaped without too
much physical harm.





This has affected me deeply. I
am sad, scared and fragile. Somehow, my body has gone back to India cycle and I
get up at 7 IST, which is like 3:30 here. I get disturbed sleep and wake up
with weird and frightening dreams, I hope this shall pass.





I hope to be with Nirali and
Dhrishita soon.





However, the incidence has left
me with need to learn more about the history of this country and its
countrymen. Extreme inequality, poverty and disparity seem to be prevailing
over generations that crime is so common here. BTW, the incidence happened on
our way back from Soweto. We went there to visit Nelson Mandela’s house!!! 





Comments

  1. DeekshaJuly 30, 2014 at 4:50 AM

    You're v brave Sir. .. you manage a lot of people, someone else would have been in shock to come public. And the dreams and bad feelings will all go away in sometime... it's natural for our body to react to mental trauma like that. Come home soon. .. everyone is waiting for you !
    P.S. good news is you will now buy a new mobile phone.... ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousAugust 4, 2014 at 2:41 AM

    Dear Sir

    These experiences are soul shattering. It takes an enormous amount of courage to come of them not blindly hating the aggressor. I am amazed at your decision in trying to learn more about the history of the country.

    I salute your courage, as always.

    Interestingly Naomi Klein in her book "Shock Doctrine" talks about the end of apartheid there, she makes a strong case that only social apartheid was lifted (that too was limited), the economic one is still in place. It might be a good start.

    Gulrez

    ReplyDelete

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