I didn’t do much today, I finally took some time for myself
and organized my room and such.
Hmmm…so what else can I write about about South Africa? The
people! Everyone we’ve met so far is incredibly nice and welcoming. At the
bars, the locals want to get to know you and most are eager to introduce
themselves. I want to develop a group of close South African friends (as well
as American ones) so I can get the full experience. We were warned in
orientation not to develop a “third culture” in which we create a clique of American
or other international friends and go out and explore South Africa only with
these friends in way that is very tourist-y. The locals are very friendly and I
can’t wait to join a few student societies, or clubs, next month when classes
start. The ones that look interesting are the Animal Rights and Environmental
clubs. I’m very excited to hear a South African viewpoint on these issues.
Recycling is about as popular here as it is in the US, from
what I’ve noticed. There are recycling bins paired with trashcans outside, but
they’re both brown and it’s hard to distinguish between them unless you read
the labels. That makes it really easy for people to mix trash and recycling
together, thereby ruining the bag of recyclables since no one will take the time
to sort it. It’s sad, really. Don’t people think about our planet?
Another note about South Africa: SHOES ARE OPTIONAL HERE!
YIPPEE! A lot of South Africans go barefoot around, even to go grocery
shopping! I think it’s beautiful. I love the barefoot thing and I wish my feet
were acclimated to it so I wouldn’t be so likely to get some sort of nasty
fungus or something. It’s shoes for me, the American!
As for style, high heels aren’t popular here either, so I’m
down with that. Everyone here has such good style! The girls wear a lot of
dresses and crotched sweaters. High-wasted shorts are popular. Knit hats, big
necklaces, belts. It’s floral patterns as well as bright, dark, and white
solids. Loves it.
Music? ELECTRONIC MUSIC EVERYWHERE, EVERYTHING IS REMIXED. I’ve
already heard at least two remixes of Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain” but I’ve
yet to hear the real thing. I’ve heard a little Backstreeet Boys and Drake
playing at the grocery store too. It's basically the best. Nero, Rusko, Skrillex, Chase
and Status, drum & bass, dubstep, trance, you name it, it’s here. I’ve
found my heaven. The only thing is I could use a little less of Avicii’s “Levels”
every single second of every day blasting out of every dorm and every car.
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