The hardest part is understanding people. Everyone we’ve dealt with speaks English, but many people are very soft spoken with English as a second language. Again, their English is a LOT better than my second any language, primarily because I don’t have one. Our cabbie on the trip to dinner last night speaks four languages. . .more on his interesting story later.
While the conversion rate is ten Rand to ninety-two cents, it’s much easier to think of it as ten Rand to the dollar. So, coins are worth next to nothing – so I don’t bother to pay with anything but paper money or credit cards. Tipping is ten percent here, so I always over-tip but I’m happy because it’s much less in the States.
South Africans have, like most countries, some colorful phrases. My particular favorite so far is “shirty.” Apparently, when someone gets unhappy and reacts poorly to something, they get shirty. They also tell a lot of cracks about Aussies, which is interesting, given the significant similarities between the two countries geographically and culturally.
Things cost less here – when we took Julia and five of her friends out to a very nice dinner on the Waterfront (tourist central, mind you), the cost for dinner for eight, including some appetizers and three bottles of a good Shiraz was around $400 – which is pretty darn affordable for eight.
The next bad bottle of South African wine we have will be the first bad bottle. We had really enjoyed the wine we had at a South African wine dinner in Alexandria a couple of years ago, but this trip is really allowing us to try a nice variety. The restaurants we’ve been to all have pretty lengthy wine lists, with only South African wines, but plenty of varietals. Looking forward to the wineland tour!
Everyone we have met is very friendly – even the cabbies. It was a little disconcerting getting in a cab last night to return to the hotel – it was a small car with no meter. He charged us 80 Rand for a trip that cost 63 Rand going over. . .but I was not going to argue with him.
Stop lights are called “robots” here – which means that South Africans are far ahead of us in use of robot technology (just kidding). Many things here are literally named. One town has four beaches, colorfully named as Beach 1, 2, 3, and 4. Another beach in another town is called “Long Beach” because it is. . .long.
Service at restaurants is weird here. Everything is great, except in the beginning. They seat your party, and then ignore you for a while. Once they come to take your order, everything is fine. Unlike Italy, they actually check on you occasionally throughout the meal, and promptly bring the cheque.
The snooty sales guy at Woolworth’s was wrong. We found an outdoor store at the V and A Waterfront that sold zip off cargo pants, which proved to be perfect for the rest of the trip so far. I actually should have bought two pair. Anyhow, I was so happy with finding the shorts that after changing in the fitting room, I wore the shorts (having unzipped the leggings part) out of the fitting room and to check out. I don’t understand why so many people wear long pants in 75 degree weather – heck, some people are even wearing shorts.
I’ve got to keep this interesting. . .I’m keeping with Julia’s blog for readers!
No comments:
Post a Comment