Durban

Now I am in Durban, on the eastern (Indian Sea) coast of South Africa. According to the map, if I jump into the sea and swim due east, I will land near Perth, on the western coast of Australia - if I do not drown or get eaten by a shark or something.  

May of us are here to attend a conference organised by IARSLCE (International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement).  I have now visited all 3 largest cities in South Africa - Johannesburg, Cape Town, and now Durban. 

From the airplane, en route from Joburg, my first impressions of Durban were gentle rolling hills, long coastline, and big waves.  

Until recently, I knew very little about Durban.  The one thing that was associated with Durban in my mine was Mahatma Gandhi.  He came to Durban after being educated in law in England. It was in Durban when he started getting into activism for the rights of the Indians in South Africa.  He was imprisoned at least twice while in Durban.  It was also in Durban that he started to develop the philosophy of non-violent struggle for human rights.  He started a great movement and inspired so many great leaders. 

From this point of view, it is fitting that IARSLCE has come to Durban.