The Land of the Hospitable

So it has been a whooping two weeks and one day here in South Africa and one aspect that is sticking out to me is the tremendous amount of hospitality that this Country embodies. I dropped off my laundry yesterday in my duffle bag for the price of 77 Ran which translates to about 10 U.S Dollars and in exchange my clothes were washed, dried, folded very neatly, organized by article type and packed neatly back in my bag. I couldn't believe it! Where does stuff like this really happen at! I was all too prepared to bring my clothes into the laundromat and wash them myself and dry them as well. I ABSOLUTELY HATE TO GO TO THE LAUNDROMAT! The clerk at the business was so genuinely pleasant and he was excited to have our service. A group of us dropped off clothes, as most would imagine after two weeks, clothes pile up to the ceiling. I also had a beautiful experience at the African Braiding Shop that myself and Kiara M., Cymone and Greg all went to yesterday. I am a regular customer of African Braid Shops back home, but my experience is always horrible and due to the high demand for that style of braiding I am usually treated like just another customer. The owner of the shop that I usually go to are less than concerned with my satisfaction or my time. The women that braid my hair are also African but have been in Minnesota for some time. I honestly expected for my experience to be similar if not worse. TO MY SURPRISE! my hair was washed then blow dryed then oiled and then I was given a scalp massage. All of these things included in the price of 490 Ran, which translates to 73 U.S Dollars and is half the price of what I would have paid back home. My hair was then started and completed within three hours which was exceptionally fast, and the supervisor made sure that my stylist put her best effort forth. I am 100% happy with the finished product, and I honestly am humbled by the hospitality that I have received while here!