T.I.A. #1

I’ve been living in South Africa in a week and I already feel more grounded than ever before. A majestically wicked and wildly colorful wonderland is what I awake to every morning. I am so surprised how bits and pieces of South Africa’s land reminds me of Ireland, The States, and even China; shows just how naïve “Us Americans” truly are.

My first night at Annies cove consisted of a crazy time at the Frenchies and then to ladies’ night at some club, which guys aren’t creepy at all here…unless a rando spikes your drink, but generally you’re in for a good time. Got a few things checked off the bucket list. Then the next morning we went Tsitsikamma Falls for a weekend orientation. The scenery & excitement was in every motion. We went on a waterfall zip-line tour on the Garden Route! Then in free time we went swimming near the waterfall and did some mini compression jump, but in coffee colored water with eels murking at the bottom, took me a while to ignore that. But we also had an awesome African drum lesson, a “hike,” and a few small lecture sessions. We slept on extremly  small cots in extremly crowded rooms!  But a great family nearby cooked us delicious African meals. One of the spectacular things we did was just lying outside on our towels at night looking up at the stars. They are unreal and seem at arm’s width.

Then, after orientation weekend we have ‘real’ orientation at the school. We’re on the second day now; I don’t start until 2p.m. today so I finally had a chance to sleep in!! I finally feel adjusted to the new time zone, except when I try to make phone calls to my Mom. I hate when I just want to call her to tell her about something awesome and then I realize it’s like 3 in the morning. L  Hopefully by next week I’ll have internet at home! Africans make so much fun of the Americans because we think “internet is more important than water.” Oh well. I love that everyone here is always up for seeing things and exploring and traveling as much as possible! I already have made some new best friends! Told you not to worry, Mom! Hahah and shell be proud to know that I’ve already been to the liquor store 3 times! There is a massive amout of people from Minnosota and Germany here and I’m THE ONLY southerner, lucky me!

 I already feel so relaxed and comfortable, but let’s get real…I’m living the dream.  A few things that are completely T.I.A. (This Is Africa)...

v  You never worry about having water for showers

v  NEVER leave food out for more than 15 minutes or it will be drenched in a million ants

v  A.C. is a thing of the past

v  Chicago has nothing on PE for being a ‘windy city’

v  Night and day have complete opposite temperatures

v  Most international students can speak their native tongue, English, and another of interest….makes me feel small.

v  Taxi drivers will go to the end of the world to help you find/ do something out. My new friend Pang walked me into the bank and told the cashier not to ‘fuck around’ with us, he is a main attraction of South Africa.

v  Alcohol= Water for the Germans and Frenchies. Also, alcohol costs about the same as expensive water here!

v   African time is relevant to turtle time.

v  The food is so erotically different, I love it! Haven’t got sick yet, thanks to a large typhoid shot!

v  Annies Cove, where I live is perfect. Feels like freshman dorm again, so easy to meet everyone. But, my room is twice as big!

v  Bronzer becomes cover up in about 2 days.

v  There are these white fans that we refer to as the “Mexican Taxis” because they will pack you in until there isn’t a square inch left. There’s a driver and another guy who sicks his head out the window screaming at people “Town! Town!” I think they’re so much fun..but only during the day, not the night! And it only costs 8 rand, which is a dollar!

v  Sunscreen is your new best friend. Anywhere the sun touches you’re skin, you will be marked.

v  I am in love with this place.