I want to write about the Pick and Pay, or maybe it's spelled Pic and Pay, I don't really remember right now, and I don't want to make the effort to find out. Just due to laziness/not wanting to get up right now/whatever. Anyway, my brother recently got a job at a Cub Foods, and I've noticed his growing obsession in grocery stores and comparing them to Cub, so I thought that I'd take a minute to describe one of the major grocery stores here for him, so I don't forget anything.
The shopping carts are real different. There's this contraption that looks like a cart that you can stack baskets on vertically. They have mostly the same food, the deli meats are kind of different. You don't seem to get as much meat in one package. They don't keep eggs in the cold stuff, they keep them on a shelf by the dry foods. Which seems odd, I didn't know you could not refrigerate eggs. They also have this stuff called "life long milk" which they also keep on a shelf and not in the refrigerated section. And it comes in cardboard cartons. So you buy milk warm in a box. The milk that I bought one of the first days here, so like December 30th let's say, hasn't expired yet; and it wont until the 16th of January. Yogurt lasts pretty long around these parts as well. Which, by the way, is spelled like "yoghurt". They also have "life long juice." And in addition to that, they have bottles of concentrated juice that you can buy. So what you do is buy this concentrated juice and dilute it in a glass, much like we have in the US. BUT they call concentrated juice "squash". It was confusing at first to see juice labeled "lemon lime squash," thinking that there was some sort of squash flavoring in the juice. The lemons here tend to be green. They must be picked earlier or something. But even lemon-flavored things are green. Lemon dish soap is green too. So I don't know what that's about. And when you buy produce, a person weighs it for you at a scale in the produce section and the weight of whatever you're buying dictates how much you pay. And the cashiers have chairs. And there's no conveyer belt thing to move your groceries along. And they charge you for plastic bags too. Which I think is pretty cool. That's about all I can think of.
Recently in Christina Rosemeyer Category
Roaming the Cape of Good Hope, the ominous screeches of baboons taunted us, but we were unable to find them. It was the group's dream to see a baboon today, but sadly they did not want to see us. We searched frantically to get a glimpse and got nothing. However, the spectacular views of the diverse flora, and merging of the Atlantic and Indian Ocean mesmerized our minds. It was indescribable to see the incredible shorelines, cliffs, Dassies (an endemic rodent), black colored lizards, and a few ostriches. Even though it was quite the work out, it sure was worth it to hike to the most southern tip of the continent. It's a crazy feeling to be at the end of a flippin' continent. Even driving along the edge by the ocean was a weird feeling. I don't know what it is, but being at the very edge of something is real nice. It's terrific to be removed from society and noise pollution and other people in that way, at least for a little while.
Penguins on the other hand were in full effect, looking fresh in their tuxedos. Such excitement was felt since - who had a clue penguins were in South Africa? They were mostly chillin' on their stomachs, wobbling to an unknown destinations, and swimming with locals. We followed the adventure of 3 penguins that were best buds; Ron, Paul, and Jimbob, thus becoming the 3 Stooges. We added commentary to them as well, really amping up the situation. When it began, all 3 of them were on this rock chit-chatting about the day. Paul, who we feel was the "ring-leader" decided to shimmy down the rock to another location. With hesitation but determination and flapping of the wings, Paul slid down safely. Once one goes the rest follow. Ron stretched his neck and wobbled to the edge; looked down and contemplated on his decent. His first attempt failed so he stepped back and took a couple of deep breaths. Jimbob notices this and steps up, picks a point to slide down and goes. With newfound faith, Ron slides down that rock like no other penguin. We all opened in celebration. Later, right before we left, we saw the 3 Stooges still wobbling together, reflecting the ultimate goal we want to attain as a community.
Upon our return from the Cape Peninsula Tour, which was a long drive, a jam session ensued with Nate, Greg, and myself (Anthony). We busted out our drums that we bought and banged till our souls were content. Our rhythmic sounds ranged from unified beats and intense motion to solo outbursts and furious taps. Playing together, we bounced off of each other and learned new techniques. We're sure the whole block was bumpin' to our soulful sounds.
From Christina & Ant, with love.
Ma Afrika Tikkun is beautiful.
The kids there are terrific. They are so curious and have so many questions and most are outgoing as all hell. When you get them on the dance floor, they have this beaming confidence that you cannot find in most grown people. What amazes me is that the kids spend their days entertaining themselves on this sort of patio outside and they are just happy. They don't have a lot of toys, they don't have a lot of anything. And yet, day after day they are there having a great time. They take each day as it is and don't ask for much more. They are teaching me so much. The kids there are terrific.
Secondly, the staff who spend each day providing a safe and fun environment for these children are amazing people. I can't imagine dealing with what they deal with every single day. All of the trauma and pain and suffering that happens in the townships, along with glimpses of joy and happiness and light that happens there as well. It's an emotional roller coaster that they ride on day after day, without any question or doubt. I hope that they know that what they are doing here is not only appreciated by those they directly interact with. What I am learning from them has affected me and will stay with me forever. They are doing something great here, and they do it every day.
1. Time is not really a necessary thing. Tell someone to meet you at 10:15 and don't be surprised if they don't even leave their homes until half past 10. The flow of the day is more important than what exact time it is.
2. They drive on the other side of the road here! So when you cross the street, look to your right first. Or maybe it's to the left. Or just whatever is the opposite of where you would look if you were in the US.
3. Oh yeah, and CLEARLY pedestrians DO NOT have the right of way here. If a car is coming toward you, it will not stop to avoid hitting you.
4. The sun in the mid-west is not the same sun that shows up in Africa. If you are of pale-European decent, as I am, you will most likely roast. It's best to slather pure zinc on your skin if you don't want this to happen. Just saying.
5. America is a nation of picky eaters. Or South Africa is a nation of non-picky eaters (As so phrased by Amanda, I believe). Whichever way it goes, the food is different. Expecting to buy strawberries that are the size of your fist? Well, you won't find them because, remember, strawberries don't naturally grow that big.
6. Kids are still kids. Despite poverty and other external elements that could dictate their way of life, kids just want to play. Kids just want to hang out and play; they are still just as curious, just as loving, just as funny, just as sweet, and just as amazing as any other kids. Maybe they aren't as video game-obsessed as kids in the US, but their personalities are still the same.
7. Bartering with street vendors is not so scary after all. You just have to let them know what you want and for how much. They will usually comply.
8. The world is a familiar place after all. This is something that Nate mentioned first, I admit that I totally absorbed this idea from him. But it is so true. You would be surprised at how many things you see and find yourself thinking "hey, this is just like_________from back at home."
9. The differences aren't so scary. When preparing to head off to a foreign country, there is much hype of a condition formally know as "culture shock." It is not as intense as it sounds. At least this is how I feel. Sure, things are different here, but I don't find myself in a state of shock. That sounds so serious and harsh, am I right? It's more like recognition of differences followed soon after by an understanding of them.
10. Lastly, embracing being a tourist is flippin' IMPORTANT! If you spend all your time worrying about how obviously of an outsider you are, you will miss out! I promise you! So just embrace the awkwardness of it all, and dive into the experience. You cannot change your tourist status because that is what you are. So flaunt that fanny pack, Hawaiian shirt, socks with sandals, what have you. And enjoy yourself.
I don't think that I can even give justice to how brilliant the New Year in Cape Town is. Once midnight came, everyone headed out to the streets and went wild. It's crazy because in Minnesota, you know that at night in January no one is about to be outside, but here-it's just wild. I think this may have been the best New Year I have ever had. It is great to finally have all of us together and to have the opportunity for all of us to hit the town as one big group. I feel like bringing in the New Year together brought us all closer as a little Cape Town family. It was a time for all of us to let loose, let our hair down, and be our self without any inhibitions. It was great to experience the people of Cape Town coming together as one and dancing in the streets. There was such a large and terrific sense of community and togetherness that you wouldn't feel in cold, cold Minnesota.
I am pretty sure that all of us are greatfull for our day off tomorrow. I think that it is safe to say that we are all in need of some much needed sleeping in. After getting a glimpse of downtown Cape Town today on top of a big red tour bus, I'm pretty sure that all of us are nice and sun-burned and ready to rest. It was great to see downtown Cape Town, however. It reminds me so much of what San Diego looks like, or what I imagine New Orleans to look like. The western feel of Cape Town isn't exactly disappointing, just unexpected. To quote Nate, the world is a familiar place and sometimes the similarities are more surprising than the differences. This is one of the reasons that I want to get into our service learning project and seeing more of the townships. I think that when that happens, it will really hit me that I am in Africa. Right now I feel more like I'm just in another part of the US. I'm excited to feel more out of my comfort zone and to experience things that are unlike what I experience on my own.
The last sort of New Year thought that I have is gratefulness. I am so so so thankful and appreciative of my Cape Town family. I know that they have always got my back. I know that without any one of them, this trip would have been so so different. Everyone adds their own piece to the puzzle, making us one big happy family. This New Year also makes me feel grateful for everything that I take for granted. Even the little things like a hair dryer are things that I am realizing should not be taken granted for. I am discovering this new found appreciation for the things that I have. I hope that in this New Year, I can continue to appreciate the little things in my life.
