Well I made it through my travels and my first day in Pinelands (almost)! I appreciate all of your prayers - and let me tell you, they worked! On my first flight I was able to switch to a seat with two free seats to my left and an aisle to my right. I felt so lucky! I also had no nerves after the first 10 minutes (let's all agree to just not speak of them, ok?). In the Amsterdam airport, I learned that I look Dutch. Enough that people initiate conversations with me in a foreign tongue and get upset when I stare blankly and say "....sorry I speak English". Oh my.
But I had just enough time to transfer money and walk a loop before boarding my next flight. OH MY GOSH! Best flight ever. Dad had me pick a center aisle seat with a neighbor and an empty seat between in hopes of the center remaining open. What did I end up with? Three seats, one being a window seat. For those of you who are tall, let me break it down for you. 3 seats + 6 pillows + 2 blankets = a bed. Straight up. It was awesome. I set an alarm and slept for 5 hours. 5 hours of awesome. Leslie and William picked me up and I slept through the night.
Today Leslie took me to Zanokhano where I met Eugene, Cynthia, Pamela, Sophie, and Linda. And another man whose name is gone from my mind. I'll get it, and pictures. I already love them all!! And I have an office. Leslie then drove us around Langa, where the school is located. We went to another church for lunch. They have a cafe and it is awesome. There was a thunder storm and all the power went out. That was awesome too. When the traffic signals go out, police do not create order. Nope. Insanity is more fun.
Okay, so, how does the mousse fit in? We just went to the store.
OH.
MY.
GOSH.
Culture shock is subtle here, but definitely real. The grocery store was the most obvious. There was almost nothing familiar, and the prices are all just random numbers to me. So by the time we got to shampoo, there were about 3 options and I just grabbed the mousse that I use back home. You know, that $2.50 bottle? Wouldn't you know it - in South Africa, I'm that girl using Paul Mitchell. And boy did the cashier let me know it!
NEVER AGAIN.
Although I will say - you know how at Walmart the old lady cashier will comment on every purchase and generally drive you crazy? Well the cashiers here can work and talk simultaneously and they are delightful. They'll even ask for some mousse. Well, unless it isn't the $3 kind. Then they laugh at you. :)
Tomorrow is public holiday. Tonight I go to a Bible study for....who really knows. Should be fun. Other assorted thoughts:
- America needs cooler money.
- I am way crazy stupid afraid of deep vein thrombosis
- South African music is odd
- I will definitely lose weight here...
Yes. That is all for now. I already love it here.
But I had just enough time to transfer money and walk a loop before boarding my next flight. OH MY GOSH! Best flight ever. Dad had me pick a center aisle seat with a neighbor and an empty seat between in hopes of the center remaining open. What did I end up with? Three seats, one being a window seat. For those of you who are tall, let me break it down for you. 3 seats + 6 pillows + 2 blankets = a bed. Straight up. It was awesome. I set an alarm and slept for 5 hours. 5 hours of awesome. Leslie and William picked me up and I slept through the night.
Today Leslie took me to Zanokhano where I met Eugene, Cynthia, Pamela, Sophie, and Linda. And another man whose name is gone from my mind. I'll get it, and pictures. I already love them all!! And I have an office. Leslie then drove us around Langa, where the school is located. We went to another church for lunch. They have a cafe and it is awesome. There was a thunder storm and all the power went out. That was awesome too. When the traffic signals go out, police do not create order. Nope. Insanity is more fun.
Okay, so, how does the mousse fit in? We just went to the store.
OH.
MY.
GOSH.
Culture shock is subtle here, but definitely real. The grocery store was the most obvious. There was almost nothing familiar, and the prices are all just random numbers to me. So by the time we got to shampoo, there were about 3 options and I just grabbed the mousse that I use back home. You know, that $2.50 bottle? Wouldn't you know it - in South Africa, I'm that girl using Paul Mitchell. And boy did the cashier let me know it!
NEVER AGAIN.
Although I will say - you know how at Walmart the old lady cashier will comment on every purchase and generally drive you crazy? Well the cashiers here can work and talk simultaneously and they are delightful. They'll even ask for some mousse. Well, unless it isn't the $3 kind. Then they laugh at you. :)
Tomorrow is public holiday. Tonight I go to a Bible study for....who really knows. Should be fun. Other assorted thoughts:
- America needs cooler money.
- I am way crazy stupid afraid of deep vein thrombosis
- South African music is odd
- I will definitely lose weight here...
Yes. That is all for now. I already love it here.