Jetlag! Ya! That! I had a terrible jetlag problem in my
first night in Hermanus. I crashed to bed early (~7:30pm local time) and woke
up twice with long hours wanders to went back to sleep. Since the guest house
includes breakfast, when I stepped out of my room in the morning, I was greeted
by a lady and directed to the dining room where a fruit salad and orange juice
were waiting for me. She then gave me a choice what my main breakfast will be,
and I chose omelet with mushroom and tomato. It was delicious!
SANSA car with the driver
SANSA main gate!
A little bit
latter a car from SANSA came and drove me to the SANSA compound where I’ll
spend my week. My host toured me around the different facilities and centers of
SANSA. I was astounded with what I saw; it is really way more than my
expectation. What attracted me most was the science center, which is dedicated
for public outreach program. It is full of demonstration materials, from models
of solar system to models of satellites and rockets, and many more practical
materials. The center has steadfast staff members, and one of them told me that
the center is always busy in accommodating visitors from elementary to
high-school students and teachers. This reminds me a popular saying in Ethiopia
“Flowers of today, seeds of tomorrow”, and the outreach program to young
generation is my favorite topic. Another center that lured my attention was the
space weather center, a room congested with flat-screen TVs hanged at the top
of the wall, portraying the real-time data from many of space weather
satellite; from SDO, STEREO, ACE, and from many ground based instruments.
Space weather center!
Science center!
Unlike scientists in the US, who do not have
dedicated and fixed lunch time, here at SANSA there is fixed lunch time (1:00 –
1:45pm). John (my host) told me scientists are allowed to have lunch at flexible time. We
had to walk about a mile to get good lunch which we did. Finally may second day
concluded by having a group dinner with Lee-Anne (SANSA managing director), her
husband and John. They took me to one of the beautiful ocean view see food restaurant
“Ocean Basket restaurant” that serves fantastic food.
Group dinner at Ocean Basket restaurant!
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