Sorry for the lack of updates this week. We’ve moved into the residence hall (the res) and are just trying to live normal life before classes start. We went to the beach, which was amazing. The water is cooooooold. I guess that’s what happens when the water flows up from Antarctica, huh?
So, this is only my second time in Africa and, incidentally, my second time outside the United States. On our last day of orientation there was a discussion about culture shock. The lecturer broke it down into 3 stages (he actually used apples which has now become a running joke- “I’m feeling the 2nd apple!)
First is surprise and wonderment. At this stage everything is new and exciting. You might gawk at driving on the left side of the road or what’s in the grocery store and what isn’t. You’re very nearly in a state of euphoria.
The second stage is when everything is incredibly overwhelming. Those same things that you thought were humorous or entertaining before are now irritating. In this stage you are ready to go home.
Finally, the third stage is acceptance. This is when an apple is just an apple. It is neither better nor worse than life elsewhere- it just is.
I believe that I go back and forth from one and two. Everyday things here are so different- everything from going to the movies to what time stores close.
Generally I am in the grocery store when I find myself munching on that 2nd apple. Simply not seeing familiar brand names is overwhelming. I could never fathom that people could live life without Kraft macaroni and cheese!!! The Super Bowl exacerbated this situation this past Sunday (technically 1:30 Monday morning for me). We Americans along with some of our South African friends decided that we wanted to watch- be in touch with our culture for a little while. So, of course, the women decided we should do some cooking. We weren’t thinking anything fancy. Just normal tortilla chips, salsa, different kinds of bean dips… stuff like that. Well who would think that one could not buy tortilla chips in South Africa? This is the most developed country in Southern Africa- it never crossed my mind that they might be too expensive to import. In this country, people dip with potato chips (potato crisps). On top of not being able to find tortilla chips, South Africa also has a limited selection of canned beans. We wanted black beans and kidney beans- that was not going to happen. In two different grocery stores all we could buy was baked beans and butter beans- I still have no idea what those are. So we ended up having a ramshackle Super Bowl feast. I made tuna casserole and it was a hit! :)
One of the more humorous and astonishing moments of the last few days was when Elsha, Diane, and I went into the 5 rand store. This dollar store (I know, I can’t believe I went either) has a plethora of useless items (think Hannah Montana pencil cases) and good deals on body length mirrors. One woman said to us, “You’re going there? It’s run by Asians, you know…” That should have been our first clue. When we went in there was a woman behind the counter and another sitting in a chair holding a baby boy. Strangely enough this baby boy had no bottoms on. He was nekkid… But that was not the most bizarre part. Maybe 45 seconds later we turned around to the sound of a woman trying to soothe this baby and him urinating on the floor. The women had so kindly laid a towel down on the floor to help soak up his… pee, but as all women know- Boys don’t always have the best aim. Especially not baby boys!! So we left to give him his privacy and came back a few hours later. After leaving the 5 rand store, the girls and I were in hysterics. I have never seen something like that before and I doubt it will happen again.
One of the other more terrifying aspects of living here is that I am unaccustomed to being concerned when walking down the street. I live in a large metro area in DC, but I never hesitate to walk home in the dark or go somewhere by myself. But living here, especially as a white, American, female you must always be vigilant about safety. No one has had a bad experience yet which bodes well for me, but I can’t ever remember myself being this paranoid. Once that clock reads 6 o’clock I feel like it is time for us to know exactly where we’re going, how we’re going to get there and how we’re going to get home. I’m sure this will get better in time, but right now this is what I’m trying to deal with.
On a happier note, my apartment is being fumigated today!!!!!! YAY!! Last night I was talking to my mom and I shared this joyous news with her. What I had forgotten was that I hadn’t told her that we have cockroaches in our kitchen. I wanted to spare her feelings and prevent her from freaking out. This situation has certainly be an adjustment. Ew… I don’t like bugs. I'm just thanking God that it isn't snakes.
All in all things are going well here in Cape Town. The city is beautiful and has a vibrant nightlife, along with pretty darn good Mexican food and margaritas- which we have been enjoying.
Be safe. And watch out for cockroaches.
Love,
B.
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