It was exactly a week ago that the tired and jet-lagged SAWIP team landed in the Capital of the world, DC. On arrival, we were met by our host families and were whisked off to what we will be calling home for the next 6 weeks. After a brief rest (very brief) we all got our first taste of USA transportation in the form of the metro train or the famous yellow cab and met at "l,the mall". Nope, not a shopping mall, a massive amount of space that is in between all the famous monuments of DC. On this 3 hour walk in what felt like 50C weather and with no sleep, we got to see The White House, The Capital Building, The Lincon Memorial with the huge Abe Lincon statue, USA war memorials and the highlight for me, got to stand on the EXACT spot that the inspiring Martin Luther King Jr. stood when he delivered his "I have a dream" speech. Despite the heat, lack of sleep and 3 hour walk, there was no better way to jump start our experience of the USA. Day two was orientation and the return to some sort of sanity followed by a weekend where we got to have some down time. Saturday evening, the team had the honour of getting invited to the South African Ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool' residence where we met many DC professionals and fellow South Africans who are doing amazing work for South Africa here in DC and the whole of the USA. Sunday, being fathers day, I was up early with my "sisters" and made breakfast and then went off to hit some golf balls with "dad". Monday was the big day, our first days of the internships / work exposure (for you Kim). The combination of nerves and excitement that I experienced while on route to the World Bank was something that I will never forget. Walking around the corner and seeing the massive buildings of the "The World Bank" the only feelings I had were humbling ones. The work thus far is great, the people are great and the learning experience is beyond great. Almost done with week one of the work exposure and have 3.5 to go, I am really looking forward to it. With the aim of keeping this blog light hearted, I will end on that note. Do watch this space however, there is so much that has already happened and some amazing people that we have met like Mr. Jake Sullivan, the Director of Policy Planning for the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. More on that soon. Jason