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| Ignoring the rain at the SA vs Pakistan cricket game at Wanderers Stadium |
It's taken much longer than expected to publish this post, probably because I've fallen into the trap of telling myself I'll get to it "just now".
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| 3 Americans at the SA versus NZ rugby match |
In Joburg the phrase "just now" has absolutely no meaning. When speaking on the phone with someone who says they will be there to pick you up "just now" could mean they're around the corner or they've just left the house and will be there in an hour. Rather, "just now" is South African slang for sometime soon, which is only differentiated by its more urgent sister phrase, "now now". Understanding "just now" versus "now now" is only done so by experience, when once or twice you're promised something will be done "just now", only to check hours later and realizing your expectations have not been met.
As I've mentioned before, my patience in South Africa is tested every day. I often times find myself frustrated with over-complicated processes, promises that are made but never kept, or hitting a brick wall when you hear the oh-so-classic response that well, "this is just the way things are done in South Africa". Great - how do I work with that?! I've learned to plan ahead and budget for extra time with the expectation that more than likely, something will go awry. For me, it was a my temporary residence visa that took weeks longer than anticipated to be returned from the US Embassy. Without my passport I was quite limited, although I was at huge fault for not making a certified copy before it was handed off to USAID who handled my visa application. I'm lucky I was able to rent an apartment with a non-certified copy of my passport, but I was unable to open a local bank account or rent a car.
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| Bafana Bafana win over Spain - 1 to 0 |
Originally I had no intention of renting or purchasing a car during my time here in Joburg, but found it to be incredibly difficult. I realized quickly that this isn't New York and public transportation is limited. However, after many headaches and thanks to a reliable friend I've finally got my car sorted! I mean, don't ask me what type of used car I bought because you won't be impressed, but its a car nonetheless. Needless to say, life is much easier when you're mobile. If anyone knows me at all, they know my freedom and independence are important for my happiness, so compromising the two was starting to drive me slowly insane. Yes, purchasing a car isn't an expense I anticipated and yes, petrol is expensive (it costs about $80 to fill up my tank), but is it worth it? HELL YES.
For those who ask me on a regular basis, I'm settling into Joburg life absolutely fine, and my lack of time to blog is proof. In the last few weeks I've become well acquainted to the world of South African sports. I went to a Bafana Bafana South Africa versus Spain soccer game and then tried to get a better understanding of cricket as South Africa played against Pakistan - and South Africa won both games! However, even after watching a game of cricket at Wanderers stadium and multiple games on tv (my flatmate can watch cricket for days...), I have to admit that I still don't fully understand how to play the game...
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| Jumping on rocks & swimming kind of getaway at Drakensburg |
About a month ago I spent the weekend away in Drakensburg, which is about a five hours drive outside of Joburg - and the scenery was absolutely stunning. It was my first weekend spent outside of the city and was a change of scenery definitely needed. The photo above was taken at a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Drakensburg. We spent the weekend hiking, jumping off rocks and swimming in freezing cold rivers. Although river swimming is quite different from the beaches I'm accustomed to, the water was refreshing beyond belief.
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| Hanging out with this cutie at the Lion Park |
On another note, Thanksgiving recently came and left. On this annual day of commercialized self-reflection, I acknowledge the fact that I have more to be thankful for than these little fingers are able to type! I am simply thankful that I have the strength, support and open heart to experience every second of this wonderful adventure called life. I'm also thankful to the generosity, kindness and inclusiveness that surrounds me each day, always surprised and humbled by the openness I receive from people who have trouble pronouncing my name for the first time.
This Thanksgiving I made a haupia chocolate pie. Yes, if I can't travel home for some traditional desert than I must recreate it here. Soon everyone will fall in love with haupia and then I'll have more of a reason to make the coconut pudding goodness on a regular basis. I vow to get my next post up more quickly. In fact, I'll get to it just now...
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Ok fine, I'm coming just now.
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