It is interesting how some people can view a place completely different than someone else. My roommate, Laura from Belgium, had her parents come visit South Africa for three weeks. One of the first nights they were here all of my roommates and I were sitting around our “living room” table talking when Laura told us that her mother said South Africa reminds her so much of the United States. I think my mouth dropped to the floor. All I could think about was the differences that I point out daily. First and foremost is of course the crime. South Africa is a great country but nobody ever talks about the bad, yet very important, aspects. In the past two months, six or seven of the 25 exchange students have been robbed; One by a man with a gun, and two by men with knives. It doesn’t matter how careful you think you are being, it happens everywhere. Reading the newspaper is a completely unreal experience. It’s hard to believe some of the stories are actually true. Last week there was a taxi strike in the neighboring city of Johannesburg. Taxi drivers were assaulting people getting on and off buses, both taxis and buses were being destroyed, and police were carrying around and pointing automatic weapons at people. It was complete chaos and a friend who was stuck in the city said she had never seen so much violence and was actually scared for her life. Personally, I love riding on mini buses. We are always the only non Africans on board but nobody treats us any differently. We’ve been told that next week there is going to be a truck strike across the country and that there could be gas shortages, as well as supermarkets that aren’t fully stocked.

Another thing is the unemployment rates, which in 2007 was at 24%. At every gas station in every city in South Africa there are men that pump gas and are given tips. You see people doing every possible job that there could be. On the streets and in parking lots there are men with yellow vests that direct people into parking spots and “guard” the cars while you’re gone. When you get back to you’re car you’re expected to give about 10-15 rands. You also see people washing cars along the streets while the owners are away. Once again, you’re expected to tip when you get back to your car. Then there are the people that walk around telling stories to make you feel sorry for them and then ask for money. This happens about twice a day and more times than not they are lying. Another exchange student was conned by the same man several times while here and then found out that everything the man had said such as his son died in a fire, or his brother was in the hospital, was a lie. One man asked a girl for money so he could feed his baby because he had nothing. She went inside her house and brought back baby milk but he didn’t want it… just the money.

The differences between America and South Africa aren’t all bad though. Last night we had a get together at our house and a few people we didn’t know came. It was three guys and one girl from Namibia, who have been here in Pretoria to study at the University. They came in and introduced themselves to all of us and asked our names. Before they left they invited us to a housewarming party next month and Christopher, one of the guys, expressed how grateful he was that we invited him over to spend the evening with us. All he could say was how much he appreciated us befriending him and how he was glad to have us as his new friends. A lot of Africans are just like this. It is refreshing to meet people that are that polite and sincere. I can say for sure that this has never happened to me in the US. Other differences are pretty minor. I am now addicted to Lipton Iced Tea since it is sold in every single restaurant you go to, you can’t find lemonade anywhere, and there is security at every store you go into. The last one I found pretty odd at first. If you go into a store carrying a bag from another store they pull you aside and tape it shut so you can’t put anything into it. When you leave most stores you have to hold out your receipt and open your bag. At the grocery store and some bookstores if you come in with a back pack or any other large bags you have to check them at a counter in the front. You get used to all of this but at first it’s kind of annoying. In the long run you know it’s better to have these measures. One of the biggest differences is that South Africa is just very relaxed. Everything is slow and steady. People walk slow, talk slow, and there are virtually no clocks in the country. We call it being on South African time. Everything starts late and goes longer than expected. It's a nice change from the busy American lifestyle. Even though the country is very dangerous and there is corruption, I love it and wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

Haley