Sorry for the delay, I've been super busy over the last few days and didn't really have time to update!
It's now the morning of Halloween, and the last few days are blending together a bit for me. I've been so busy! The two days before yesterday mainly consisted of visiting my grandpa in hospital and driving around town to see how things have changed. Went to a few shopping centers to pop in and get a few things necessary around the house and for friends of my aunt. I've also been doing a good bit of meeting new people and building bridges for my time in South Africa; and based on the fact that they've all been nice, I'm sure that the good time I'm having is bound to continue.
I can't believe how different people are here in terms of friendliness and conduct. I have yet to meet a mean, unhappy, ungracious person; despite any mood they might be in. I know it's bound to happen over the three months I'm here, but yet I find myself doubting it. There's a warm, approachable quality to everybody here, and it's something I feel I expected of people back in the USA but would rarely encounter. It's also so odd that I can mention a relative's name, and a complete stranger can somehow find a way to place who I am and spout off a bit of family I'm related to. It's like the identity I never knew I had and am now exploring-- I found out I'm related to people I never knew existed. Bizarre but inviting!
Yesterday I met up with a few of my friend Russel's cousins and his family. I had a fantastic time catching up with them-- cracking jokes, having a laugh... It's all very light-hearted and friendly. Honestly, such gracious people I never knew; inviting me into their homes and showing me a good time. I'm very lucky to have the friends I do, South African and not. It seems that I'm really picky when it comes to choosing friends. But I think that's a good thing.
My cousin, his girlfriend, and I went out last night to a few bars in Greenside. The nightlife in South Africa is a hell of a thing, I'll have to expound on that later when I've experienced more. I did see a bunch of people dressed up in costumes for Halloween, which isn't celebrated here. It was a little strange that they did it on the night before, but I'm sure that's because it was a Saturday night and Halloween falls on a Sunday this year. It's fantastic to have extended family here who cares about what I'm up to. I'm so happy I could catch up with my cousin, and I know that I'll have the opportunity to catch up with more of my family here. I'm really looking forward to it. I'm quite a bit sorry I couldn't connect with everyone earlier, but I'm happy it's not too late now that I'm doing so. Life is too short to leave out family, and I intend to make sure that I don't.
Another comment in regard to South Africa's party atmosphere; the way that people work and do business here is different as well. Things get done, and quite well at that, but people take breaks more often and seem happier and less stressed than at home in the USA. I always see lots of people hanging out at cafes on the street, and people are always out and about at any time of day. It's strange when I compare it to home, where you can predict the times that restaurants and businesses (like in the mall) will flare up based upon when people have their hour for lunch. Not to say that it's not like that here to some extent, but definitely to a lesser degree. It would appear that people have a lot more freedom.
There's also a high prevalence of the "I'll get you now, you get me later" mentality in terms of paying for drinks and food in a group. It's a lot more convenient than figuring out checks to the dime and penny like we do at home, but I feel like that's being fazed out a bit with my friends at home as well.
My accent is doing wonders for meeting people too. Even when I'm just conversing with someone in a public area, people will pick up on it and look over in curiosity. Rather like people at home have trouble understanding some of my South African friends when they talk fast, people have trouble understanding me when I talk fast. Intuitive, but interesting nonetheless!
I'm off to another brunch in a bit at one of my mom's friends. It's just starting to hot up here in terms of weather, so I'm bringing my boardshorts and am hitting the pool!
Catch ya later :)
Adam
