Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Gross generalizations about black South Africans

Ok, so I've really only been in 2 rural villages, so maybe not everybody is like this, but it's surprised me how similar the people are that I have met. In American, it's usually a local phrase or family saying, but here it seems like everybody has the same mannerisms. I'm fond of lists, so here's one to explain to you the typical rural black South African.

They take curtains and window coverings seriously. A window might only be a meter wide but the curtain covers the whole wall.
They always say 'serious?' When they mean 'seriously' or 'are you serious?'
The get scared of a problem, and usually leave it alone.
It takes 3 hours to do something that would take 45 minutes in America.
The women are super nice, the children are curious, and the men are either very polite or very creepy.
They love hot tea, with loads of sugar and milk.
All the meat and other food is very salty, maybe that accounts for the excess of sugar in the tea.
They very rarely eat breakfast. Either because they can't afford food or don't want to. I can't tell you how many times my host moms come home at 4 or 5 or 10 at night and say they are so hungry because they haven't eaten all day.
Starches are king. People here eat pap (bogobe) and bread like the world is going to run out tomorrow.
They are scared of technology, they don't want to break a computer so they won't touch it unless they have to.
They have religious enthusiasm. Everywhere I go, random strangers talk about God's grace and goodness. Which is fine, but they also expect you to have the same beliefs, and woe to the person who tries to actually discuss religion.
Kids are expendable. So have a dozen, hopefully half will survive childhood and can do all the household chores.
They lack tact. If they think you're too fat, too tall, too loud, to lazy, you are going to hear about it. From the whole village.
They are indirect. If they are hungry, they'll say 'aren't you hungry?" So I have to be careful how I phrase questions or they think I'm asking for a lot more than I actually am.

I've only been here a couple of months, I'm sure there will be more lists like these in the next 2 years. Enjoy!

Monday, September 12, 2011

my new (and improved) host family

Here in Pan, I have a mom called Violet and a 9-year-old brother named Lebohan. I love them both already. Lebo is a typical kid, he loves cartoons and soccer, does well in school and works hard at his chores. Violet is in her mid-fifties, with above-average English skills and a super nice personality. Her husband, Michael, is in Joburg working. This family has taken me into their home and hearts. In fact, I have to explain that I need to do things on my own, be self-sufficient, like collecting my own water and cooking for myself. But I love them already. Violet gave me pink curtains and a yellow pee bucket, took me to town to buy kitchen supplies and insists on giving me tea or food every time I walk in her house.

We have a dog called Bobby, chickens and sheep. There are at least 3 brand new baby lambs that are adorable. Today my middle school Principal picked me up and introduced me to her whole school. I walked over to the primary school and met all the classes there too. Then David drove me to meet the police captain, the taxi drivers, some local tuck shops and the community library staff. Busy day. I'm waiting at home now for the guys who are supposed to be installing my security bars, but so far I've been waiting in vain. I'm trying not to be the flashy American with lots of stuff, but I've had my Kindle and computer out already. I'm assured that this is a safe village, but I'm acutely aware that I am different, I stick out. I'm pretty sure that when I travel I'll have a target painted on my back.

Random updates coming soon, and hopefully pictures. Stay tuned. :)

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Official Peace Corps Volunteer!!

Until now, I've just been a Trainee.  But today we Swore-In and became Volunteers.  There were speeches by the American Ambassador to South Africa and the founder of Operation Hope.  It was a great day, inspiring and motivating.  Tonight I'm spending the night in Pretoria to leave on the bus bright and early tomorrow to my village.  I'll need to buy everything, like dishes and blankets and a bucket for my bucket baths.  I'm nervous to start work on Monday, but excited to meet the students. 

I have several blog posts to put up, but my phone is weird about blogger so I can't update regularly.  And today, while I'm online at the Peace Corps office, I don't have my flash drive handy.  So you'll read blogs about my first 2 months in South Africa much later.  Oh well.

Sala Sentle.  (Stay well.)