Woke up early to go to the bank with Olivia, and after another (unsuccessful) attempt to get her some money, went to Wimpy for breakfast. Basically the equivalent of IHOP meets McD’s, but Olivia and I both had a fruit and granola breakfast with honey that was DIVINE. Also, pieces of bacon are called “rashers” here. But, despite the many British-isms (over 10 pages worth, in fact, if you check our welcome packets), they still spell ketchup the way we do.
A little more shopping, then home to nap. Mmm jetlag is such a complex thing.
Our new roommate Julia arrived. More shopping. More exhaustion.
Next group arrived in the evening – a boy is added to our ranks! Dinner at Linga Longa, which resulted in pretty much everyone almost falling asleep in our (quite delicious) dinners. We found our way back in our very own taxi (oh my!), though lessons for the future are: 1) make the taxi driver come to you – do not follow him into the dark, sketchy parking lot, and 2) carry change.
Life Lessons Learned So Far in Africa:
1. 60 degrees is cold, and may require wearing a parka.
2. African time could give Indian Standard Time a run for its money (watch out K. Patel, “fashionably late” is being redefined!)
3. Chinese construction companies are making bank.
4. American pop stars and rappers have no idea what a big following they have here.
5. The shower curtain should be kept inside the shower, unless you want to mop up the mess yourself.
Myths About Africa – Debunked
1. It is not always hot here.
2. Yes, they do have cars, and roads, and traffic lights (occasionally).
3. They have malls – lots and lots of malls. And the UB library may be bigger than ours.
4. “Jambo” is not a universal greeting (though any iteration of “dumela” will get you pretty far…)
5. There’s chicken!
More to come in the next installment… the Housing Special Feature. American domination (accidental) in the grocery store. A modest proposal. Zebras!
No comments:
Post a Comment