“You think your a rockstar?”

So the professors here are not afraid to put students on blast, especially with talking during a lecture. One of my professors today told someone that if they wanted to have side conversations they could leave. I also noticed that when it gets too loud in the library someone comes on the loud speaker calling for silence. As a overall loud culture, its surprising to see that they have strong restrictions on noise level. 

I really like my organizational management class. The professor worked in HR for a long time and she also seems to have a lot of knowledge about people and behavior in workplaces. Today we were talking about competencies that managers have and what ways we as students could develop them. When we were on the global awareness competency she decides to put me on blast--like in elementary school when there was a new kid in class and they got a personal announcement. So I’m now the American girl who can pass for a Xhosa girl because I’m black lol. She was talking about how we should be open an sensitive to others from other cultures. To illustrate this she goes, “If I met Deana and heard her speak and thought ‘oh why does this black girl have an American accent? Does she think she’s a rockstar or something?” So I think I’ll take the title of a rockstar also :] I’ve enjoyed the class so far and I think I’ll get a lot out of it if I push myself to interact more with the south african students. 

I was riding one of the cabbies today and the money collector and the driver are cracking jokes and talking real fast. I couldn’t catch half of what they were saying. All of a sudden the money collector goes, “We have to joke everyday because being HIV positive you never know when your going to die.” I can’t even explain how my face looked. I didn’t know what to do or what to say. I wanted to say ‘oh shame’ but chose ‘sorry’ instead. Then there was this awkward silence...then they started laughing. They said that they were joking and that they like to mess with people, that people are too serious these days. I definitely let out a sigh of relief because I really didn’t know how to handle what he had said. But it got me thinking later that many people do have it here and that I guess since I’ve never had to deal with any real conversations on it, that could be something I’m exposed to while I’m here, we’ll see. But the cabbie drive was really fun and I kept asking the driver about how they got their licensees and how how the cabbie system worked. He was telling me how the government was promising to buy all th cabbies so then the drivers would not only get paid better but have better conditions but he said that the government is always promising things and never doing it. I was able to ask a lot of questions about the city during the ride. I half-joked that it would be interesting to be the hype-man/money collector for one of the cabbies and yell out the window. The driver said that if I wanted he would let me do it for a couple hours one day.  So I have a part time job if I want it lol. I don’t know if I’ll take him up on that but the option is good. 

So general observations while i was in class today:

• Professor will put people on blast, directly, not subtlety
• There is a major distinctions between their classified groups (black, white, colored, etc)
• The woman professors are called ma’am
• You cannot just leave the class without letting the professor know--even for the bathroom
• Everyone in SA usually speaks 2 languages (English and home language)
• There are no clocks in the classrooms
• They still use overheads

Cabbies

I don’t mind riding the cabbies but in the past two days I have ridden them more than I like. I had to go to the bank about 15-20 minutes away for the MoneyGram. yesterday when I went I forgot my passport so that was my fault. The lady at the bank told me that was all I needed to receive money. So I went today after class again and another lady tells me I also need proof of address. I was like wow seriously? I wish they would have just told me that yesterday. Now I have to find time to go back again. I guess I was a little bit frustrated today with all this. I had to do a couple breathing exercises so I would stay calm lol. 

Sidenote: I’m going to explain how the cabbie system works here (well as much as I know so far) so that it’ll make sense when I talk about how I think I got gipped out of 4 rand today (about 60 cents). 

So usually when you get into a cabbie it can be pretty empty or really full (like basically sitting on someones lap). There is always a driver of course, but some cabbies have the guy who collects the money and a guy who yells out the window (I like to call this guy the ‘hype man’). The hype man is always yelling where the bus is headed towards and usually that is ‘TOWN TOWN’ aka downtown. Sometimes the money collector is also the hype man for the bus. If there is no hype man or the bus is too full for him to maneuver the money is passed forward about 3 rows until it reaches him. So usually you pass to one person in your row who then passes it to the next row and tells how many people were accounted for so that the money collector knows how much change to give back. Sometimes though you can give change amongst each each other for example if I had a 20 rand bill and the person next to me had two 5 rand coins then I would take the 10 rand and get change from a neighbor and then we would pass the 20 accounting for 2 people. This usually works out just fine and it seems like a fairly honest system. But someone told me on the cabbie once that if someone doesn’t pay then the driver stops and doesn’t move until the difference is paid. And these people who run cabbie system seem to be very good at math and memorizing who gets in and out. If not they would probably not be making money. 

Well today I was on one going from downtown and it cost 6 rand. I only had a 10 rand bill so I passed that to the lady next to me but she didn’t have 4 rand for change. So she took mine and hers and passed it on. Well I never got my 4 rand. I think she saw my 10 rand and just added 2 rand meaning she didn’t pay her whole fare. I was going to ask the guy but I was thinking about it so long that by that time it was time to get off. And I had already witnessed a debate on the bus before and it was quite loud and obnoxious. I was too tired at that time to try and argue so I let the 4 rand go. 

So yes I like riding the cabbies but theres always a lot going on in them. I have a lot of cabbie stories if anyone ever wants to hear them :]

1 August

1 August

Aside from all the hectic running around, miscommunication, waiting in long queues (lines) the first week was classes went pretty well. The system for registering is just so much slower and confusing than what I am use t back home but I got though it pretty well. I wasn’t able to take a course a need for CBB but hopefully the philosophy course I am signed up for will be approved. I really like all my classes but my favorite so far is my International Marketing class. The lady is a Xhosa woman and she has so much energy when she is lecturing and already has my full attention. The class is a level 3 course (our senior level classes) and so there is more work, but it is a subject that I enjoy so I think it’ll be fine. Its chilly in the classrooms. They don’t have insulation, because they don’t really need it. Its interesting to see locals wearing hats and gloves in like 50-60 degree weather. I’ve been getting by with a light jacket but I’ll probably get something heavier because I can’t focus in a cold classroom. On Tuesday I went karoking with a bunch of the other international students sine I didn’t have a class the next day. Most people could obviously not sing but others got up there like it was American Idol. And I learned that almost nothing closes before 5 a.m. here which is very different from back home. I was definitely tired by midnight and went home but the next day most of the other students told me they stayed out until like 3 a.m.

Friday and Saturday were mostly spent braiding; my own hair and one of the other Americans from Georgia. Saturday we went out to eat a Barney’s and it was fun because they had live music there and they took requests. It was a nice and relaxed atmosphere. Then we went to the Boardwalk area to the News Cafe, which was more like a indoor/outdoor club the way it is set up at night. Surprisingly I met a fellow Congolese there and we talked in Lingala throughout the night. It was good meeting someone from my real home. 

Sunday a group of us went to the open market and walked around. they had a lot of things there such as: clothes, paintings, sunglasses, sculptures, toys, etc. I wish I could buy so many things, but I don’t know how I would get everything home. I met another Congolese at the market. It was a lady and her sons selling jewelry and home decorations. She was really nice, we were talking in Lingala to each other for like 30 minutes. I’m thinking about going there a few Sundays a month just so I can keep my Lingala up and maybe learn more about South Africa from our talks. 

Some some quick observations. I have a lot of them put thought I'll put them up as they come to mind.

• They drive on the left side of the road, so you would think its the same for walking. But its never consistent so I always feel like I’m swerving down walkway. 
• The cabbies can be loud, smelly, and we’re usually squeezed in there like sardines. So why do I like riding them? I always make it a point to talk to the locals or whoever is on there. I always get some interesting stories, and sometimes I’ve gotten tips on PE life from the riders. Plus they’re way cheaper than the taxi.
• Most of the girls on campus are always dressed up with heels and boots. I don’t know how they walk around campus like that. I will not be participating. That would be just what I need--to fall or slip going up and down the many stairs on campus. Plus its all brick and stone. I think I’ll pass and stick to my sneakers and regular boots. 
• The guys especially on the cabbies address girls by “sister” or “mama” if they’re older. I like that a lot. 
• Guys everywhere use the same pick up lines. 
• I can pass for being a black south african--if I don’t talk.. Right when I say “hi” or “hello” they know I’m not from here. So much for blending in :]
• Most students on campus are always on their phones or listening to a mp3/ipod player. 
• Bartering is allowed! And I’ve gotten plenty of discounts since I’ve been here...yayy
• Shopping bags at the grocery store are not free...so its good to buy the reusable ones

Class in session

Today was the first day of classes. It wasn’t a normal beautiful day in PE though. It literally rained all day so getting around was not so much fun. 

The classes I have registered for for the semester include: business ethics, organizational management, media ethics and international marketing. I might swap out the media ethics but I’m waiting on some e-mails from UNI. 

So my first class, business ethics, was scheduled to start at 1045--or so I thought. I went to the classroom had my notebook out and pen ready to take notes. Even said hi to the people sitting next to me who were from Botswana. I didn’t think twice when both told me their majors were in industrial psychology. So the professor comes and is introducing himself to the class, he puts up the syllabus and the course title is...organisational psychology. (If you notice our z’s are their s’s). Great, what a start. So I get up to leave and he’s says “young lady you can’t leave the lecture now.” I was embarrassed but after I told him I was in the wrong class he enjoyed meeting me for the short time and I left. When I had registered for classes last week the online module browser had said that this was the correct time and place. I went to the international office where I had to wait like 45 minutes to talk to one of the coordinators. So it happened that they had switched the time and place of the class sometime between last week and now. Luckily I hadn’t missed the class since it was later that afternoon. 

So I grabbed myself a caramel latte, caramel donut, and a caramel muffin (yes I love caramel) and surfed the net for a little bit after I got the NMMU Wi-FI on my laptop. I also looked at my other courses to see if there were changes, and there were a couple, so I was glad I had looked into it. I also went and signed up for the organizations (or societies as they call them here) that I am interested in being a part of.

I finally did make it to my business ethics course. I think there might have been about 60 students in there. I guess most people didn’t go to class because of the rain. Not going to class for rain? I told the guy next to me that we went to class in 10 inches of snow or more but he sad that he didn’t believe me, lol. I guess it is hard kind of hard to imagine if  one has never seen snow before. She didn’t lecture but instead gave a background of herself and also went through the syllabus. And yes we already have an assignment. 

My next class was at the 2nd avenue campus, so I went home and ate then walked about 20 minutes to get there. I found some Maggi Noodles similar to Ramen Noodles so I’m saved--I can have something to eat that is quick and easy. 

My next class was organisational management. We were only about 12 of us in the class, with the teacher referencing people not coming because of the weather. I also had another UNI Business student in the class with me. She lectured and gave an assignment already. Since there is another lecture during the day on Wednesday I will go to that one instead so I don’t have to worry about catching a cab/bus in the evening. The professor drove both myself and the other UNI student home. She said that walking after dark was not safe. Seems like those words have been drilled in us since day one. Which is fine, I’m not taking any risks. I’ve heard some crazy stories. The class was really interesting though and we talked about Wal-Mart in South Africa (I’ll have to go into that another time maybe) and other local businesses. She went on a tanget to talk about some of the university initiatives their new campaign called  “For a Better U.” Watch this video--> http://youtu.be/5iIFqHMOE1g to see how the school choir helped market the university. I think that the approach was really nice and it was cool to see that they did it at the local mall which I’ve been to a couple times. 

So the day didn’t go as smoothly as I had thought it would, but it I have made a conscious decision not to get so worked up about things while I’m here. My dad said I look prettier and it must be because of less stress. Less stress and I’ve gotten a minimum of 8 hours of sleep 90 percent of the time since I’ve been here so I probably look a lot less tired. But he could just be saying that because well he’s my dad, but either way I think more sleep makes a difference :] Don't get me wrong I have those times where it seems like the slow-pace everyone moves in works my nerves, but there is nothing I can do about it so I just go with it. That's why I always have a book to read for moments like that (which seem to be so many). All the Europeans here keep saying "Africa time" is too slow for them. And to tell you the truth its a lot slower with almost everything: the check out at the grocery, the people at the cafes, people walking, etc etc. But I think I'll enjoy this atmosphere while I can, before I have to go back to the the turbo speed lifestyle that most of us live in.

I’m excited for the course so far though, especially since they are all things are interested in. I’ll see what the rest of the week holds. 

A few people or a group of people can often skew the image of a group. This was really prevalent to me today. 

Chill

Last night I couldn't sleep well because I had a feeling of homesickness, but I think it's because I'm still adjusting. If I can get through August I think I'll be good...I'm super sad I'm missing my sisters birthday so I think that's on my conscious.

Anyways, today was a relaxed day. I went on campus tour and saw where most of my classes would be at. The campus isn't huge but its kind of spread out because its on a nature reserve. Then I got my student ID so I can use the library and the computer labs now. I was talking to this German guy about philosophical things since that is one of his three majors back home. So that was interesting.

Then we spent like 3 hours on the beach...just chilling and watching the waves, the surfers, and the kids playing around the place.

And tomorrow I have nothing on my schedule, so I'll probably go to the library and get some books and then go to the beach the rest of the day.

Life is good.

Click Click

20 July

First off today was the first day that my roommates and I decided to cook dinner and eat in the house instead of going out. We made pasta with a cheese/garlic sauce and broccoli (for them not me). Also had some rolls on the side and ate dried mangoes. It was good though to just stay in the house and talk about the events of the day.  

Today was our city tour. We went with a group of about 60 I think. The tour guide Bradley was the same guy that was at the weekend get-away with us giving us a history lesson. And today was no different. The day was filled with so much information I don’t know how I can retell it to its full extent because it really had me experiencing a lot of emotions. Just a brief background of Bradley and the company he is with in case anyone is interested. He and a partner started Djembe Heritage Initiatives in order to help South Africans express their identity through heritage awareness and tourism; to understand everyones shared heritage. 

So we started off the tour close to the campus where everything is upscale, clean with lots of shops, etc etc. The area we are in, Summerstrand, Humewood are usually where more affluent people live, just to give you an idea of where we are located. We are near the beach and things are pretty calm around here (except for the noisy buses of course). The tour consisted of us traveling farther deeper into areas of Port Elizabeth that many don’t necessarily get to see. 

During the Apartheid movement the government split everyone up by race: white, colored and black. And during the tour it was really easy to see the distinctions between how each group lived. Many times it could still be seen even today on how the living arrangement were based on color or sometimes just who could afford them. The colored and black intermingled many of the times of course, since it was hard to distinguish people in those two categories at times. 

We slowly traveled more into the areas they called townships or our city ghettos as an equivalent. We got to see how education varied from large fenced in schools with private gardens to small building with no windows; housing slowly changed from up-scale to mere tin housing; malls turned into outside markets with second hand items; dogs on leashes to multiple dogs just roaming around the area; no children outdoors to whole groups of children standing around, walking home from school etc. It was all quite sobering I would have to say.

 At times I took in all the stories of pain in struggle personally as if those people he spoke of were my own aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers/sisters; other times I seemed to distance myself like it was all textbook material with no emotion in order to try and remain in a box where I still think most people are basically good. It was hard though, hearing about all the pain and subjugation that occurred. I don’t think I can listen to things like that without emotion, I mean after all they are all my people. When we went to the Red Museum in one of the black townships they had a museum displaying both the Apartheid movement and Civil Rights Movement side-by-side. It was all so much to take in all at once. I didn’t know if I was angry, sad, hurt, forgiving or numb--I just couldn’t get it all together in my mind. It all came so fast and there was not much time to marinate. 

We stopped several times in the black townships, one to see an artist who lived there and sold her beautiful work. She was a former NMMU student that Bradley knew. We also stopped to see a woman named Mama (I can’t remember the whole name) who fed  the local children and families food out of her own shack which was barely standing. Lastly we had stopped at the Red Museum. Every time we stopped the children would come--running, smiling, dancing, asking questions, wanting to take pictures, etc. Some asked for money, some were shy and stayed off to the side, while some were ready to show off their chris brown move.They are all so beautiful and full of life, like for real, the kids were the source of calmness for us all I think. I mean first when we were driving through the townships most of us got quiet and real serious, but the kids with their smiles even amongst their living conditions kind of relieved everyone in a way I think, to see them still able to laugh and joke given all other things. 

Which brings me to something I thought about a lot during the ride. How everyone around me got so excited and ready to snap a picture of everything in the townships. The people, their homes, etc. It just seems excessive. I took some of the children who said they wanted their picture taken but everything else was from a distance. I couldn’t bring myself to take pictures of people’s homes and their way of living as if they were on display. I would feel like I was being invaded if I lived poorly and I had people at all times coming through and taking pictures. It just makes me feel some sort of way. I read somewhere about how sometimes foreigners during the past wold go to these countries and take these pictures, not as a way to educate or learn but just make another dollar. Just seems like another form of exploitation to me, but like I said that’s my personal opinion.

He also showed many areas where black/colored had done for themselves what the government had been promising since early years of apartheid. Building schools and business for themselves and doing it all well. 

1994 was the official year that apartheid was over. It's only been 16 years. I was just thinking like omg thats like not that long ago at all. All the experiences are fresh. An interesting thought.  

At dinner I talked to my roommates about some of my reactions to the day and they in turn talked about their thoughts. I appreciate their willingness to talk and share even though we did not necessarily agree on some points; talking about it is a good start. The question was posed again today--What is your purpose in SA? I guess I’m still trying to really figure this out. I thought I had it, but now I’m not so sure.