The Chameleon Returns

So, the chameleon returns. As I've sat here thinking about all the catchy names for my blog, that will document this summer's experience in Cape Town, South Africa - the chameleon has decided to come out of hiding. Some of you may remember a few years ago when I traveled to Guatemala, I wrote few obnoxious mass emails entitled "The Adventures of the International Chameleon." These emails described my experiences with my own racial identity in places where my dark skin and dark hair seem to make me a chameleon of sorts, floating in and out of different countries and cultures without as much as glance from passerby. In fact, most people I encountered on those trips never thought I was American, and thus the "International Chameleon" came alive to explore this fascinating blending-in experience. Now, as I embark on this new adventure, in a new country, on a new continent, the chameleon has come out of hiding and plans to write about the experiences of race, culture, identity and (here's the twist!) nursing (and nursing research that I am doing!) that I encounter here. Considering South Africa has had such an complex history, I'm sure this will make for a rich experience in many many ways. Stay tuned for more updates from the chameleon, who is extremely behind and will get up to speed this weekend on the first exhausting few days getting here, and now being here.