Hello world of blog readers…Okay I know I said last time I would be a better blogger and obviously that was a lie because I haven’t written in months…hah oh well, I’ve become too African of being carefree and not stressing, so I’ve been putting it off. But I’m writing now! So just look forward to reading for a while!
So….I’ll start where I left off which was WAY back in April after my CT trip. After Cape Town, my time has been more low key and we didn’t really go on any major trips. I did have a 4 day weekend though and I went to Mountain Zebra National Park with the Bannisters, the South African family I’ve gotten to know. The night before the trip though was Loretta’s birthday, and a new club was opening so we went there. It was called Redemption 2.0 and since it was opening night there was a 100R (13US$) entrance fee and that covered all your drinks for the night…so basically unlimited drinks. We all had our fun hah..and lets just say I was left in a bad place the next morning when they were picking me up at 7am. Slept through my alarm, thank god my mom called me…numerous times.. to wake me up, showered, packed, ate, stumbled because I was still drunk…and somehow got ready in 30 minutes. Let’s just say that was a very long day in the car for me.. The overall trip was a lot of fun and nice to get out of PE. There were two other families with kids traveling with the Bannisters. The place we stayed was really cool, we stayed in the park in Chalets. It was really nice to be around families and experience the love, bickering, and togetherness. During the day we would just hang out, hike, or go on Game Drives (that’s what Safaris are called, no one calls them Safaris here, just Game Drives) I saw LOTS of anaimals, Zebras (obviously, the park is named after them), buffalo, rhinos, lots and LOTS of buck like Kudu, springbok..we saw pretty much everything that the park listed except cheetah : ( but it was cool to see the animals.. after going on so many it becomes like a game to spot an animal. At night we would hang out with all the families and eat…I am always very well fed when I am with the Bannisters! I experience a weird transition stage when I am with the Bannisters, because at home I am still a ‘kid’, I mean I am not a child obviously, but when I am with my family I am still a ‘kid’. I mean its not like a sit at the kids table at Christmas anymore but you guys know what I mean.. and with the Bannisters I feel this weird age of not being able to hang out with the kids (they were aged 7-13) and being too young to be with the adults and contribute to the conversation like an adult. I don’t know if I am explaining this sufficiently but, I just noted a few times over the weekend that I felt in between of my adolescence and adulthood, and it was just so surreal to experience that because a lot of the time I just still consider my self a kid. I think me feeling this way funny too because a lot of times I would rather hang out with kids or adults over people my own age. A the beginning of the weekend Stanley mentioned no political talk, because he knows I love talking about political issues, especially The Apartheid Regime, but that rule didn’t hold and the topic came about and it got pretty heated. The families are Afrikaners, so it was interesting to hear things from their perspective. I have heard many Black South Africans perspective and not so many Afrikaners perspectives. Coming here I totally believe that everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, and life isn’t black and white. There is never a clear distinct right and wrong…things are grey and in between. It was interesting to hear his perspective and I practiced my self control of being culturally relative, a thing I think he might need to try being culturally relative ..but who am I to push things on others. lets just say.. people think very differently and it surprises me what some people actually believe in. Since being in South Africa I have applied Sociology to so many things, and have tried to explain the beauty of sociology to people. But you can’t teach an old dog new tricks right? But I will sure try my hardest to make an impact on that dog well enough for them to note my new tricks. I just can’t wait to get further into my sociology career and my knowledge of general things to be able to defend myself and debate with people. I just think tolerance is needed to get anywhere in the world and I truly believe tolerance is taught through Sociology. One thing though that needs to be done with studying aboard that my brother taught me while I was visiting him in Australia, is never take anything personally. Many times people have this image of America and it is really tainted, and it doesn’t have anything to do with your personally, and people are allowed to have their views, so don’t them personally and get offended. Great advice B : ) Overall though it was a great weekend, the Bannisters are way too kind and truly amazing people, I feel very fortunate to have met them.
May consisted of braiis (BBQ), going out, lots of World Call Cards, volunteering, the end of my modules (classes), beginning of finals, sad days of missing graduations, and lots of time with my girls here. The first weekend in May the girls and I did Spar’s ‘Most beautiful Women’ 5K race, it was an all women race and the only way guys could do it was they had to dress in drag…which surprisingly many did. It was so funny to be running and look over and see a guy wearing a skirt and a belly shirt running holding on to his wig. The race started bright and early and there were thousands and thousands of people. It was a street down from our flat, one of the beauties of living where we live. The race went really well and I was proud of myself because I ran the whole entire thing without stopping, I love adrenaline : ) It was really fun and something cool to do and be apart of in South Africa.
We went to a boys hockey (field hockey) game at school which was really cool because I haven’t seen a game since I played in HS. Made me miss hockey oh so much! It was actually cool tough because Loretta was taking a hockey class for her Kinesiology major and I would help her out and do extra work with her so she would catch on. I really didn’t realize how much I miss the sport.. possibility of coaching one day?? : ) Sampson would be so proud!
Loretta found this really cool wine tasting night that was a benefit for an elementary school that her and I went too. It was sponsored by Spar (one of the grocery stores) so there was SO much food and all the wine you can drink for once again 100R. And once again like Redemption I got my value of my money. It was so much fun to try all the food and talk to people and wine taste. Of course I made friends with one of the ladies pouring wine and lets just say she didn’t pour little tastes in my glasses. I also made friends with some of the parents of children from the school, gave them my phone number if they ever needed a babysitter hahah. It was a lot of fun tough, and I was so glad to be with LJ (Loretta) she is such a sweetheart and I was upset about some stuff and she made things so much better and listened to me babble : ) After the wine tasting we went over to Annie’s Cove, another housing place for international students for drinking contests. All week there was a Bantry (where I live) vs. Annies Cove Battle which included drinking games, baking contests, bball games, karaoke at Captain’s..and other things to prove who was the better International housing place. Obviously The Bantry won! : )
Sadly I had my last day of Sinethemba : ( over the semester I have become obsessed with those children. I talked to the lady in charge of the CSL program (the volunteer class) and she said it would be okay if I kept going next semester just not for credit. So I am going to go and try and work it into my schedule. Words cannot describe how amazing they are, these children literally have nothing and are so happy. I find the African way of life so interesting in terms of kids. There is no tattling and the kids just deal with the problems themselves…usually by hitting each other which is open for much debate if that is the best idea but…who am I to judge? The kids were really sad to see us go..and my favorite girl Anthea was planning on going back home to her parents. So sadly I had to say good bye to her. But… things could happen and I won’t know for sure if she is at home till I go back. I am so excited to go back though! I can’t wait till I see them!
I also started going and volunteering at a Township called Boysens Park, it’s 35 minutes away and we take combi buses there. Some International students started a program called Vuk’pille. We go and sing an opening song and do an activity and sing some more. Some activities included cleaning up trash, making robots out of trash, doing skits, and so on. It’s a really great things for all these kids and gives them something to do, it is pretty structured and kids are kids so sometimes they are hard to control. The parents love it and come out. We stay outside on a street and just play with the kids. It was a great program and with all the international students leaving after a semester and us Californians staying, Loretta, Kelleigh, and I are taking over the program. So hopefully we can keep it up and find enough ideas to do activities with them considering the fact that there are no materials for projects, and we are in the middle of a street. It has a lot of potential and the program has come along way, the other people that created the program put a lot into to program so hopefully we can keep it going.
The month of May came with graduations that I was really upset to miss. Brett graduated and my Big. I am so proud of them both and beyond happy for them. It was really hard to not be there for them both. I got through it though, and figured those were gonna be the hardest days of me studying abroad…so if I got through them I would be able to get through anything.
The last week of May and the first 2 weeks of June consisted of exams. I actually liked the exam style here better than SSU. There are ups and downs of both systems but with the NMMU exams I was able to study a sufficient amount of time for each final rather than cram in a week. I’ve never been more prepared for my finals than I have while I was here. I did really well on all my exams and I got my grades back a few weeks ago and I did really well. I got distinctions in 4 classes, which is higher than a 75. A 75 is an A. the grading here is confusing but distinctions are rare. If you get a C here, everyone considers that good.. so with all the hard work figuring out how to deal with the classes everything paid off.
So one of the best things about being in South Africa at this time is the World Cup! Hands down one of the best experiences to be apart of, it was absolutely insane and I feel so happy to be apart of it. The opening match of the World Cup was South Africa vs. Mexico and the whole Bantry plus other Internationals went to Fan Fest. Fan Fest is held in most bigger cities at a stadium and has a huge megatron that plays the game and there are little activities and food and beer like a game at a stadium. Fan Fest that first night was one of the best times I’ve had in SA. It was so much fun and it was absolutely packed. A lot of kids were actually on TV too in Mexico haha. David met some people at fan fest that were apart of Aztecas a news show in Mexico. So we were filmed before a game of showing ‘how excited we were’ at fan fest watching the game, and after the game at David’s flat, where they interviewed him and we were excited again, haha. So if you happen to be in Mexico look for me on TV. The whole WC has been so much fun and it makes it better that much better that I am experiencing it here in person. I went to the Portugal vs. Ivory Coast game. It was a rather boring game, because no one scored..but it was cool to be in the real atmosphere of the WC. The fans were crazy and vuvuzelas were in high force. After awhile they really just turn into white noise..it really just blends in Everything has been so much fun, going out, talking to people from all over the world..everything. the sprit of South Africa has been so high, and it is unusual if I go a day with out hearing a vuvuzela. I love the worls cup songs Waka Waka by Shikira and Wavin’ the Flag by K’nan, those songgs will forever remind me of being in SA during the WC. Seriously though now that the WC is over, SA seems so sad : ( I am sad its over! I am so thankful to have experienced this first hand and I really think no better country than being in South Africa, because South Africans have more culture and it means more to them that they are hosting the WC.
I was fortunate enough to go back to CT with my roomie, David, and Bimmy. David and Bimmy were going to a WC game in CT so Aisha and I went along to enjoy the beautiful CT. The four of us had so much fun together, Im sure there were many times during the weekend that David wanted to kill himself being with just us girls haha. It was so much fun and I fell in love with Cape Town all over again. We stayed at a friend of a friends house so it was nice to not pay for a backpackers. The weather was bad the whole weekend which sucked but we still had a great time. We got to go to Robben Island which was the number one thing I wanted to do since, it was cancelled..twice.. the first time we were in CT. We thought it was gonna get cancelled again because the weather was horrible in the morning but it cleared up and we got a little lost..hah like normal CT fashion..but we made it a few minutes before and got on the boat! The tour was really cool and we got to see a lot of stuff. The view of the city from the Island was breathtaking. It was so cool to see where Mandela stayed and our tour was given by a ex-prisoner who stayed at Robben Island. Coming to South Africa one of the biggest place I wanted to go to was Robben Island, so I am really glad I got to go and see it. The history is insane and it was really cool to listen to the guide and know exactly what he was talking about, because in my Human Rights class we had a section on Apartheid and I knew all of the Acts that were talked about. It was a really great trip though and I was happy to hear and learn about more history of South Africa. We went out that night on Long Street..which is the absolute best place to go out. If you are ever in Cape Town Long Street is a must. Especially during the WC, there were people everywhere, during the day and at night. People dressed up in WC gear and vuvuzelas everywhere and people screaming. If someone saw you wearing the same team garb that they were wearing they would cheer you on. It was really cool to experience a huge spirit of togetherness and excitement. We went out that night on Long Street and it was one of the most interesting nights I’ve ever experienced. Let’s just say the WC brings out a lot of males, and not so many females. There were even lines for the male bathroom and no lines for the girls…never seen that. That night consisted of me being hit on more than any other time in my life, that it seemed almost life a movie hah. It was pretty surreal, and I was slightly overwhelmed. I guess the WC just brings people from all over the world, drunk, and willing to talk. Oh and let me say it is no myth that people from Italy kiss you on both cheeks when they say hello and goodbye : )
The girls and I went to Ghramstown, a little town a couple hours away from PE. There was an annual arts festival there that they have every year. It is a huge festival that people from all over the world come to see. We walked around and saw the town, the university there is absolutely beautiful. We saw lots of photo exhibits and there was a huge open market, we also saw a dance show…which was very um..interesting. it was a nice day to get a break from PE and experience something new.
So now that second semester is about to start and I’ve been here for 6 months and all the kids that were only here for a semester left awhile ago…I am still really happy to be staying here for another semester. When everyone started leaving I would get sad for like a second but I knew it wasn’t my time yet. Now I am so comfortable here and leaving after a semester is like a tease. I know the city now and I don’t feel like a tourist and emotionally I’ve gone through all the ups and downs, that now everything is pretty static. I really truly love Africa and all I have experienced, I like the break I am getting from my life at home, things are so simple here. I am so glad I’ve gotten to the point where I am in love with South Africa and I know when I go home I will truly miss it. There are usually numerous times a day where I am doing something or something happens and I just think, I love Africa : ) Being here for so long reminds me of things that I don’t miss from home, I don’t miss my anxiety at all or stress. And I really don’t miss the exclusiveness of Sonoma. There is a lack of status here and you can walk in to a bar or anywhere and not have that feeling of people glaring at you. You can go somewhere and just end up dancing with people you don’t know at a club, in a dancing circle where people teach you to dance. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t friends or not in the same sorority. Clichés don’t matter and it doesn’t matter if you are wearing the latest Seven jeans. People are more open here and aren’t as judgmental. Don’t get me wrong I do miss Sonoma and ADPi with all my heart, it is a huge part of my life. There are just certain things in life that just don’t matter. It really may sound like I am dissing home and life there but I am not, I am just experiencing new things and taking note of the way I feel at certain times. Another thing I love about Africa is the passion of all the people, there really hasn’t been another time in my life where I have had more real conversations with more people. Conversations aren’t shallow here, they include culture, politics, family, and so on. The things I do miss a lot from the states tho, are people being polite, no one is polite here. I also miss the service from home. With anything, restaurants, customer service, anything, nothing compares to the service at home. I also feel like people at home know more about their job or just things in general. Hmm..I’m trying to think of an example, we just ask questions and people don’t know the answer to them when it seems like it’s their job. Like where things are at a grocery store or simple things about registration. I’ve definitely gotten used to it, and when I go home I will be so much more appreciative with help and service. I’m not trying to generalize and say that people aren’t helpful, because I have come across people that are more helpful then they would be in the states- asking people for directions and they walk you there, or literally drive you there- that is something that would never happen in the states. There are other things that I miss from home, people knowing exactly what I’m talking about and not looking at me like I’m stupid all the time…but it just goes with the territory, and being abroad, and I’ve gotten used to it. There are a lot of other things I miss too..but things I don’t even realize. Ignorance is so bliss. Being with a family. Fashion. Food. Certain plaes. Certain events..and when in a rare occasion I do experience them, I realize how much I miss them.
I have some new Africa facts! Not that many though…
There are no toilet seat covers.
I have seen people numerous times smoking hooka on campus…? Yea.. like have their hooka pipes sitting at tables smoking..
Africa has the prettiest skies I have ever seen, the clouds always look so vibrant and too good to be true.
In South Africa I have experienced the best hospitality, nothing compares to it. they are so welcoming and I have never experienced anything like it at home. People open their home with open arms, even if you don’t know them, they are honored for you to stay with them. By the time you leave you are considered family. In Southern Africa culture there is something called Ubuntu it encompasses the compassion and ideals of their culture. I’ll talk it more in depth in my next blog when I talk about Botswana but it means something along the lines of humanity and in reference to people opening our house to us they feel a need to follow ubuntu and since they have the resources and opportunity they feel a need to open their home to us.
In a lot of restarants decaf coffee is more expensive than regular…not by much usually only a rand, but I always think that’s odd. Oh and no free refills of anything!
Oh and a personal Africa fact…I drink tea ALL the time. My addiction for coffee has fizzled out…a five year addiction over that goes way back to the Drinx days??!?! haha I still love coffee and drink it occasionally but I have a few cups of tea everyday.
Other than all of this..I’ve been really good, I’m really happy, and content with life. It’s winter here so it is cold…yes Africa gets cold, it’s not as bad as Sonoma but it is still cold. Especially in PE the weather it insane here it changes every hour.. one day it will be nice enough to go lay out at the beach in the middle of winter and the next day it will be storming. It will start getting warm again around September I guess. Time has gone by so fast and I cannot believe I have been here for 6 months… 4 months to go! I just said good bye to Bimmy, which was really upsetting : ( but I know it will be so hard for me to leave here, this has become my life. I truly love South Africa.
I love you all so much and I miss everybody! You are all in my thoughts daily. Much much MUCH love <3
Ohhh and I say this every time, but I’ll try and be a better blogger…but I dunno if that will happen : )
Loyally,
JD
