Keep in mind there is a 500 hour time difference in South Africa. Glad I decided to get here a few days early. At 1am (a.k.a. 5pm in NYC) I was awake and ready to go...I met up a hottie who I met on the plane (here in South Africa for business) and with one of the volunteers here to change the world with me. Ali, (one of the other vols) is from Iran and if our political leaders could see us together it would start a question..."Why don't we like each other again?" We have been laughing and cracking jokes about all the stereotypes about each others cultures. He's never met anyone from the United States, I'M THE FIRST!! (I'm not sure if that's good for our nation or not). He's cool as hell and says I should go to Iran and visit....hummm..JAX for political ties & bringing peace to foreign lands???
We went to an area called "Camps Bay" yesterday...What an unbelievable scene. This place is magical to say the least. Majestic mountains with clouds wrapped around the tops and palm trees at the bottom with the beach clear (but very cold) water. Perfect weather. Reminded me of Miami in a way with all the outdoor restaurants, music and various people from all over world walking around (or SoHo Manhattan if had a beach and Miami section). Lots of people sit on the rocks and watch the sunset but no sooner when the sun goes down and God himself says good night...YOU GET OFF THE BEACH!. Keep in mind this is a high poverty/ crime area. The very poor begin to circle around those who may want to stay on the beach a little longer. You can tell you're being sized up. Also stay around the restaurants on the strip because you will get surrounded by the most desperate of people begging for money & will do anything to get it. It's human nature to want to help them and throw some Rand (local currency) their way but then it will start a frenzy. 20 Rand is equal to $4 USD.
I thought it was interesting when a DJ mixed sound bites of Obama speeches in with his music. It was actually very cool and amazing how this country wants so much to live the American dream. When I tell the locals I live in New York City, their eyes light up. This is when Brad, Angelina and Madonna should walk in.
More to come later...PS, having problems uploading the pictures...I hope to have this corrected so those of you who can't read can follow what's going on.
We went to an area called "Camps Bay" yesterday...What an unbelievable scene. This place is magical to say the least. Majestic mountains with clouds wrapped around the tops and palm trees at the bottom with the beach clear (but very cold) water. Perfect weather. Reminded me of Miami in a way with all the outdoor restaurants, music and various people from all over world walking around (or SoHo Manhattan if had a beach and Miami section). Lots of people sit on the rocks and watch the sunset but no sooner when the sun goes down and God himself says good night...YOU GET OFF THE BEACH!. Keep in mind this is a high poverty/ crime area. The very poor begin to circle around those who may want to stay on the beach a little longer. You can tell you're being sized up. Also stay around the restaurants on the strip because you will get surrounded by the most desperate of people begging for money & will do anything to get it. It's human nature to want to help them and throw some Rand (local currency) their way but then it will start a frenzy. 20 Rand is equal to $4 USD.
I thought it was interesting when a DJ mixed sound bites of Obama speeches in with his music. It was actually very cool and amazing how this country wants so much to live the American dream. When I tell the locals I live in New York City, their eyes light up. This is when Brad, Angelina and Madonna should walk in.
More to come later...PS, having problems uploading the pictures...I hope to have this corrected so those of you who can't read can follow what's going on.
Hey Jacqeline! I am really enjoying this blog! Keep up the good work with the kids and please continue to write. Your writing is very enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Lisa Dee