We are in the same room just a million miles away....

April 1^st, 2011

We are in the same room just a million miles away….

Alrighty- well it is time for another post. How terrible is it that by the time Friday comes around I have forgotten what I wrote in my last blog post? I contribute this to the massive amount that happens in each week. First I am sad to inform you all that I have not been feeling great these past few days so this might be a not so good post. Not to fear mom and dad, it is nothing serious and I will rest this weekend and take care of myself. I suppose if I had to choose a broad topic of this week it is our last homestay in Bo Kaap.

                 I believe that I briefly touched on this last week but let me tell you there is much to tell now. I have had so many of what SIT would call “cultural experiences” in this homestay. This family is different than any other family I have stayed with. They are all running around busy all the time. Saturday most of the family went to a two year old birthday party for a nephew of my host mother’s. It was good; I was able to meet another exchange student from Norway; which I loved Norway so I loved talking to her about it. Saturday night my host mom, little brother and I went to a festival that was happing in Bo Kaap. Here we had delicious braai (do not know if I have explained that is like barbeque) and listened to the music and comedian MC. All of the music was local talent, which is way cool. I could not understand the comedian most of the time because he spoke in Afrikaans. We were standing to the side of the stage and probably ten rows of people back. The comedian at one point stopped his routine and looked right at me and said “Where are you from?” It was so obvious that I and my strawberry blonde curly hair did not fit it with the majority Muslim population. He proceeded to make some US jokes and then in Afrikaans said he was going to talk about me all night because I would not understand what he was saying. I only know he said that because my host mom told me. I think this was funny and took no offense at all but it was still very awkward.

                Sunday, we were meant to go to a traditional prayer meeting, where I would have to dress in appropriate clothing for a Muslim woman (i.e. dress to my ankles and head scarf). As it goes my family is often late and we only made it to the party for the part at the end where they eat; which I am totally okay with. The food was great. I did wear the dress and had the head scarf but did not wear it, it was all black and I kind of looked like I was a ninja. J  It was a great cultural experience.  Then last night we went to another prayer meeting. This time I did not have to wear the traditional dress but we were on time and I was able to see the whole thing. The meeting was not as uncomfortable as I anticipated. Obviously, all of the prayers were recited in Arabic so I understood…nothing. Also the night ended with enormous amounts of food.  I am glad I was able to get to see a prayer meeting actually happen.

There have been many times where I walk into a room full of people and I obviously stick out. I am getting used to it by now but it is still a little weird. I have learned a lot about the Muslim and “colored” cultures in South Africa. I have to admit that this is definitely my least favorite homestay. I am not sure it is appropriate to say that but I am just being honest. My host family is SO nice to be and I greatly appreciate them accepting me into their home. I think the one thing that is really hard is that three of the five people in the home smoke. And yes, they smoke in the house, all the time. It kind of grosses me out but I can deal with it. I am learning a lot in this homestay about adapting and just going with the flow.

ISP starts next week on Tuesday. As of right now my four friends and I do not know where we are living. This may stress some people out but I am not too worried about it. It will work itself out….hopefully. It is blowing my mind that I will be home from my year long adventure in six weeks. Whoa. All the more reason to cherish everything I can.

Happy April to you! Have a wonderful week. Miss and love you all!

Sala Kakuhle

Keely

All of the pictures this week are just more pictures from the Bo Kaap area....