2. Watching farm dogs chase baboons never gets old. It's always funny.
3. Jews CAN build sheds!
4. When you have thick, curly hair and don't have the opportunity to wash it every day, you will eventually turn around, catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror, and your first thought will be "What is the mother from Coal Miner's Daughter doing here?"
5. Don't go hiking in the rain with a Malarone tablet in your pocket. It will dissolve into yellow mush and get all over everything.
6. There is no shame in having "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" on repeat on your iPod.
7. When you become accustomed to having your own guava tree in the front yard, you go through withdrawal when you go back to the city.
8. Sharks are incredibly badass.
9. It is impossible for me to ride a bicycle without huge gale-force winds and uphills working against me. I did a fair bit of cycling this trip, always with killer headwinds. This doesn't just apply to South Africa. This has been the case since my first-ever bike ride.
10. In Cape Town - Long Street in particular - beggars will come up to you, always starting their pitch with, "I'm not a bad guy!" These people are the absolute, soul-sucking worst. They'll trail you for half a block, moaning about how they don't want money - just some coins or a R10 bill. Hmmm. My personal favourite was a man saying he wanted me to buy milk for his baby. Now, before you judge me too harshly, let me explain: there was no baby in sight. No baby, no money.
11. Despite what the media tells you, sometimes you have to see a country for yourself before making assumptions. I have been completely safe, never felt threatened, and have been treated in a kind, sisterly way by locals.
12. South African accents are drool-worthy.
13. You eat more, you see more.
14. When you spot a jackal, quoting Family Guy's "JACKAL! A jackal! Is it a jackal? It's a jackal!" is entirely appropriate.
15. Cape Town drivers are not great. Jo'burg drivers are worse.
16. If you happen to be female, random men might stop you on the street to ask if they can have your number to CALL YOU IN CANADA! They have proven harmless, but saying no and walking away is more than okay.
17. I can't tolerate Bruno Mars on any continent.
18. Bawling one's eyes out on the way to the airport marks the end of a fantastic trip.
Questions? Comments? Criticisms? I'd love to hear them all!
the-wanderingjew@hotmail.com
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