The Little Differences..

10 Mar 09

Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xjdUmx26p0

Tonight I met one of my dearest friend's sister for drinks in Pretoria's Hatfield Square for a proper South African Welcome. Hatfield is the Capital's college square district. We went to a German Pub call Herr's, ordered a draft beer, and sat out on the back veranda for a chat. Now all of this sounds no different that what you would do in the States however - I was drinking Castle lager (ZA's own brew) in about 75 degree F and paying a guy to "look after"our car outside. In talking to Raine and in being in the country for only a few hours I noticed a few other small things that let me know I was not at home.

First, Let's talk about the fond nick names they give certain things. "Frosties" are draft beer, "Toastie" are toasted sandwhiches, "Doccies" if you were to make a documentry film and I have been called everything from "Miss Tiffany", Mamma, Lady and Maám. On my first day I have been called out for being an American because I am fast.. fast walk and fast talk. I am told I will have to get on South African time and learn the South African walk which is extremely slow for me and is not much of a stroll even. O - and you have to lean a bit. I hope one if the ladies shows me how to walk with a giant bag of potatoes (over 50 of them) on my head. Absolutely AMAZing! I did in fact pick up a lil bit of the lingo here - (Erin Swisher I know you will get a kick out of that) They use the word "hey"for a lot of things and as a conversation filler as well as a "mmmmhuh" which comes from the gut. I will have to demonstrate that one. The other thing I love is people are great drivers here. They are exactly what I love... They drive in the slow lane and pass in passing lane (Erin Furman will be happy to know I have not had any incidences with the curb and tell my self "left left" when turning.

In all there are things that are foriegn to me here, however in talking with Raine out on the portch while driking our frosties, I realize that we are all very similar. Most people want family, good job, houses, kids the opportunity to meet new people. It was great for the both of us to have a sounding board to chat about political/social topics - a mini UN if you will. I was able to come to a better understanding of this country and how it works and she the States. It was rather "nice". (Another word commonly used here)


Editor's Note: This post the first time around (on 10/3/09 was more profound as i wrote it at night on my blackberry and had all of these amazing thoughts but had it in draft and deleted by mistake. Being that I was in Kruger with lite reception for the past few days.. well lets just say I am on African Time. :)