fandomhigh | Around the World in Sixteen Challenges, Thursday, March 10, 2016

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around the world

Around the World in Sixteen Challenges, Thursday, March 10, 2016

Today found the students on an island off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa, an enormous, flat mountain in the background. "Welcome to Robben Island," Anakin said. "This was an island used for banishment and imprisonment--especially of political prisoners--for hundreds of years of South African history, but is most remembered for being the prison for Nelson Mandela, the man who eventually helped to overthrow decades of apartheid rule in this country."

He glanced to Obi-Wan, hoping he'd done the research on this place, too.

"Mandela went on to become president of this nation," Obi-Wan continued fluidly. "As did Kgalema Motlanthe and Jacob Zuma, two other famous inmates of this place. Before that time, many other local leaders were held here. And before them, it was used to isolate people suffering from a condition called leprosy from the rest of the country."

"We're not going to have you run through here because that would be tacky and disrespectful," Anakin said, "but we couldn't come to this part of the world and not let you see some of the history--and not all history is pleasant."

"So you may take your time to consider this place, if you wish," Obi-Wan said quietly. "For many of you, this is part of your history, and it is worthy of your time and attention. We will move on from here for your first task. Soon."

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More Africa!

Eggsy Unwin

Kaylin Neya

Isabela

April

Alex Mack

Kira Yukimura

Walk around. Be glad Anakin didn't try to figure out how to make you pound big rocks into smaller rocks like the prisoners had to. Learn about Mandela and apartheid. You're not being timed on this part, so take as long as you'd like.

This part was... not fun, but Kira knew it was important, so she shushed and listened and learned.

After taking the ferry from Robben Island, walk to Two Oceans Aquarium, one of the premiere aquariums on the planet.

There you and your partner must go up inside the clownfish exhibit at the front of the aquarium and get a correct count on all the clownfish inside it. After getting the correct number, you must team up with an aquarium guide and then go and feed the two different penguin species: the African penguins and the rockhopper penguins.

The teams finish:
1. April & Isabela
2. Kira Yukimura & Laura Kinney
3. Eggsy Unwin & Rey
4. Cosette Fauchelevent & Blue Sargent
5. Alex Mack & Kaylin Neya

After your time with the fish, travel by taxi to Langa, one of the townships surrounding Cape Town. During apartheid, townships were areas designated for living for black Africans, and the poverty, especially compared to downtown Cape Town, is stark.

Here you'll meet up with the Soweto Gospel Choir, conveniently in from Soweto, a township outside of Johannesburg ~~because we're not going there~~ and learn to sing Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika', the South African national anthem. It's in five different languages, so this can take a while.

Edited 2016-03-10 11:53 (UTC)

Singing wasn't Kira's favorite thing - it had soooo much potential for embarrassment - but she was good at mimicking the anthem, even if she wasn't entirely sure what she was saying.

Oh, did you think you were done? Nooope. You have to hike up Table Mountain to reach Obi-Wan and Anakin. Yes, there's a cable car system to take you up.

And no, you can't take it. Enjoy your hike! It's only 3 kilometers! Mostly straight up!

"I have earned so much ice cream," Kira muttered as she finished her hike.

Then she looked around and realized no one else was there, and she'd definitely earned ice cream.

Who also hiked up the mountain, but they like that kind of thing. Weirdos.

"That was quite invigorating," Obi-Wan sighed, as he came to a stop on the mountain. And waited.

"It was," Anakin agreed. "Next time we rock climb instead. It'll be like the old days."

Well, old days for him.

"It would be nice to get the exercise," Obi-Wan said, like the oddball he was.

"I should take you to paint ball," Anakin said. "You'd like it. Lots of running around. The weapon's uncivilized, but it's supposed to be. It shoots paint at your victims."

Obi-Wan pulled a face. "I would go beyond 'uncivilized' into 'messy'," he said. "I doubt it's worth the fuss."

"It's fun," Anakin said. "I've been playing for years."

And getting banned at each one. Because he's too competitive. Be shocked.

"And how many of them still allow your patronage?" Obi-Wan asked immediately.

Because he knew you, Anakin.

"...some," Anakin replied, looking shifty.

"How many?" Obi-Wan repeated.

Edited 2016-03-10 12:05 (UTC)

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Sign in 3/10

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Robben Island

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Group Activity: Finding Nemo

Detour: Soweto Gospel Choir

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Check in!

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Talk to Anakin or Obi-Wan

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OOC