Repost from June 29, 2012
http://jessicatea.tumblr.com/post/26197074106/learning-the-lingo
Well, it has been just over a week since I landed in South Africa. I spent a week in Johannesburg with the whole Teach with Africa group - for in-country orientation. Now, I’m getting settled in Cape Town. It is a beautiful city. You can see Table Mountain from everywhere. The coast is gorgeous (I hope to see it more in the daylight). Food is awesome. I’m finding chips in flavors I could only dream of - bacon flavored Pringles anyone?
So in this week, I’m slowly learning the lingo.
- Howzit - Hello/How are you (greeting)
- Take-away - when you ask for a to-go box
- Robot - traffic lights (LOVE this one!)
- Bill - don’t ask for a check, ask for the bill
- Braai (pronounced bry) - is BBQ - everyone loves to BBQ
- Driving on the left side of the road is kinda scary. (I’ve only been a passenger). I’m finding when I am walking that I even yield/walk on the right, and it confuses on-coming walkers.
- I may be gaining weight here since the food is delicious. Luckily I just bought work-out shoes (I didn’t pack any) and there is a gym between the house and work.
- You need to bring your passport to exchange currency.
- Internet is incredibly slow and spotty. (Especially when a whole house of teachers are trying to log onto Facebook in the evenings).
- I miss Siracha and Old Bay.
- South African Airlines goes by baggage weight instead of number of bags.
- I need to drink more water and get more sleep.
- Johannesburg is a very stylish city.