Week 3 - Personal Blog (19-2-2012)

Almost every day, my flat mates and I have a moment when we just look each other and ask if ‘this is actually real’. Living here so far has almost seemed like a holiday and with having no class, seeing the sights and meeting a lot of people, you could be forgiven for forgetting that this isn’t actually a holiday and you aren’t returning home in a week or two. However, now that we have finished our third week here, we are starting to settle into the lifestyle and culture of South Africa, and it’s starting to feel like the home it is going to be to us for the next four months.

This week saw the start of our classes at University, which is giving us a great insight into the education system and culture of South Africa both from the lectures and through talking to lecturers and other local students. Classes here don’t run quite as smoothly as they do at home, both technologically and organisationally. Already this week it has been a common thing for a student to be asked to come up and show the lecturer how to begin the powerpoint or for us to arrive at campus at 915 just to be told that the lecture has just been cancelled, which has given me an unusual appreciation of lectures at Stranmillis. However, class has given us the opportunity to meet more locals, rather than international students, which has been refreshing and has provided opportunities to experience some ‘real South African culture’ with friends from class. I was invited to a Braai at the house of one of the locals on Friday night, in which they have a built in braai area outside their house which consisted of a thatched roof and seating area, which made it clear how much of a tradition it is within the South African culture. This gave me the opportunity to try some South African food like boerewors, which is similar to a sausage but longer and made with local game meat, and some local wine. I can safely say I am quickly adapting to the South African food and  life style.

With it being Valentine’s day this week, I could not believe how big a deal people made out of it here compared to at home, however it was not the flowers everywhere or everyone greeting you with cheery ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’ outbursts that made it memorable, but a music night that was hosted for us in the bagpackers lodge in the township that we visited during our City tour last week. Two full buses of international students were transported down for a night in the township in which we had no idea what to expect, and were greeted by almost one hundred children waving excitedly at us as we got off the bus. I was blown away by how excited the children were to see us, despite the history between black and white people, and as they performed several dances for us it was not an atmosphere of hostility or tension, but complete hospitality. After the children had performed for us, we were ushered inside to listen to some traditional South African music and dance and they offered us some of the finest local food and wine for a small price. As we were served Goat tongue, and some other substances that I still haven’t identified, on a plate, I tried to hide the horror on my face. Eating the food (which was surprisingly tasty!) was a close reminder of how different life is here, and as we were leaving the township it was difficult to accept that those people don’t leave, that this is their lifestyle every day. The bagpackers lodge was set up by a group of local ladies (also known as Mamas) who wanted to put an end to the men drinking (as the lodge is a former beer hall) and rather bring success into the area. They were inspirational women and it was a privilege to talk to them about their lifestyles, and truly humbling when we compare them to our own.

Travel in South Africa has been interesting so far, to say the least. To get in and out of the town, everyone uses combis, which are like run down minibuses that travel along with a man hanging out the window whistling and shouting at anyone he can spot. Our most memorable combi journey was this week as the driver stops for as many people as he can find, and managed to fit 19 of us into a 12 seater combi and still managed to know who exactly had or hadn’t passed their money up the bus. Multi-tasking to a new level. Again, the public transport system at home is something I remember with a strange fondness. On another of our combi journeys this week, we left a man off in a very remote area where it was quite clear he was living in the bushes, as it was all swept and well kept. The driver told us that the men in that area tend to steal all they can from people to keep them living. It’s little things like these that remind me that poverty is a very real thing, both here and at home, and it’s a sobering thought that as we are loving our time here in South Africa, these men are living in bushes with only the money they can find or steal to keep them living.

On a brighter note, this weekend we decided it was time we went to see some animals. We had previously been warned that there was a chance we would only see the tame lions at the end of the game drive, so you can imagine our excitement at spotting zebras and giraffes around the first corner. Seeing these animals so closely in their natural habitat was incredible, and gives a great understanding of their true strength and how amazing they are. At the end we were delighted to be given the chance to stroke and play with the lion and tiger cubs, (despite a number of us walking away with a few war wounds from the cubs’ claws!) which is something I would never have experienced if I hadn’t been here. Just driving through the park and taking in the scenery around us made this weekend feel rather surreal and only now are we realising that we are, in fact, in South Africa.  We also went to a rugby match on Friday night in the new stadium in Port Elizabeth, and even being there gave us an understanding of how big a part of life sport is here is South Africa. The Stadium was very impressive, and although the local team lost, it was an incredible atmosphere and a great game. As rugby is not a big sport in America, I was (somehow!) left to attempt to explain the rules to them. As time goes on I feel like I am learning so much about different cultures and interests of all the international students and unfortunately I feel like I am slowly losing my accent.

There are plans for travel to Jeffrey’s Bay and a trip to a township school next week, so I am sure there will be many stories to tell.

Hoping all is well at home.

Lynsey