Let's Break Stereotypes

I am beginning to think that the best way to combat stereotypes, is by laughing at them. Stereotypes will always exist, so I try not to be so offended by them. I have seen so many flaws, and so much harm, in stereotypes, that laughter has become my best medicine. The term “packed like Mexicans”, which is commonly used in the States, could easily be turned into “packed like Africans”. African people will put 30 people on a 16 seater taxi, and...

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The Journey Of The Doritos Bag

  December 20th marked my 100th day in South Africa,  and it was one of my best days yet. Lucy and I met up with a friend, Busisiwe (aka Busi), from the Teddy Bear Clinic, in Johannesburg’s CBD (aka ‘town’). Busi brought a bag of Doritos to snack on as we went on an adventure, but we never ate them, the bag just traveled with us. Town is beautiful from afar...from the highway you can see the Nelson Mandela Bridge and the Telecom Tower,...

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Developing Countries are Cool Too!

One of the first things I noticed upon my arrival was the very advanced architecture. It is beautiful. I must admit, I do miss the skyscrapers in downtown Chi, but I also appreciate the more modern buildings here. There are also older buildings with more of a European style. When I lived in Pretoria, I would go hang out with friends in an area called Church Square. Pretoria is the capitol of South Africa and has a lot of government buildings,...

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Religion

I went to a Baha’i gathering with my host mom, and a friend from Italy. None of us are of the Baha’i faith, but we were fascinated by it. The Baha’i believe that we, as humans, are not just physical creatures, but are spiritual creatures as well. It is a world religion that believes in the unity of all people and religions. One of the main questions of the Baha’i faith is “how can you contribute to the unity?”. They also believe that all of the...

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School is Cool

I recently started some introductory time at my new school. Due to the timing of my arrival in South Africa, and my change of host families and locations, I was enrolled during the annual exam period. Things are a bit hectic, and rather intense, because everyone is studying and fiercely focused on exams. I am able to participate in exams in a strictly preparatory fashion. I am getting a chance to see what exams will be like for me next year. The...

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More Random Observations, Experiences and Thoughts (because things don't always fit neatly into a category)

I love listening to the radio here. They play a mix of American and South African "house" music. The hosts have the nicest South African accents. They always use a very soft "a" sound, for example, grass is "grawss"; and can’t is "cawn't." A fellow exchange student described their accents perfectly, “gentle and poetic." The hosts were recently talking about how Americans think of Africa as a country and not a continent, and that we think this continent...

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Random Thoughts about Culture!

Some of my MANY random observations and thoughts: A lot people in SA drive hatchbacks. Lucy and Gary both drive them. Brand names like BMW, Range Rover, and Mercedes Benz are very common here. It’s very rare that you will see a Nissan or Ford.  Okay…I have to admit that I am going through a food withdrawal. Pizza here is not the same as the Giordano’s, deep dish spinach, Chicago original that I’m used to. To me, this is flatbread,...

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Culture

I had an amazing weekend. I slept over my friend Tumi’s house, while my host parents were away on business. Tumi and Kwena are the children of a family friend, Carrie. Tumi is 16 and Kwena is 20. My host family and I first went to their house a couple of weeks ago for dinner. We all connected very quickly, and decided that Gary and Lucy's business trip would be a great time for me to spend some more time with them.  Me to Tumi: "Let's take...

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Lion Park Extravaganza!

Petting Lion Cubs Anyone who knows me, knows that since I made the decision to study in South Africa, that I have dreamed of laying with the lions! Well, I went to the lion park with my host family! I actually got to interact with the lion cubs; and honestly, it is kind of intimidating at first. I was a little hesitant. You see, The Lion King (one of my favorite movies), set me up for fall. I wanted the lions to be like Simba, but their...

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Culture In South Africa

I love riding in the car with my host parents. When I get in the car with my host mom, we listen to either pop or Spanish music; in the car with my host dad, he's playing Earth,Wind, & Fire, Bob Marley, or Hip Hop. We are always enjoying some kind of music.  My Host Dad Gary and I My Host Mom Lucy and I My host dad plays Action Cricket and five-a-side soccer. When my host mom and I attend his...

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Food!

My host mother, Lucy, is hispanic (which means I have the luxury of eating tacos and guacamole regularly). One day, my host dad, Gary's, cousin Jade came over and Lucy made black beans. While we were fixing our plates, Jade said, “I’ve never had black beans!" I was standing next to her astonished that she had never had them, because they are so common in the States. Lucy then explained to me that you cannot find black beans in South Africa, and...

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Food in South Africa

I noticed while grocery shopping that the cereal aisle only has healthy cereal. You won’t find Captain Crunch, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, or Lucky Charms in a South African grocery store. They do have a "Cocoa Puffs" type of cereal, but it's made of oatmeal and is not unhealthy for you.  I have been to several different American fast food places here (KFC, McDonalds and Burger King); none of them are the same as they are in America....

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