• People drive on the “wrong” side of the road
• EVERYONE knows at least two languages, English and Afrikaans
• The sunsets are some of the most beautiful sites you will ever see in your life
• You feel like you are in England for a little while until you remember that South Africa was colonized by Britain and THAT is why everyone sounds British.
• Soccer, Rugby and Net Ball are three sports you MUST know how to play.
• You sing Christmas carols on the beach in your sundress while holding candles because it is still warm on Christmas night.
• The seasons are completely opposite from America. Therefore, Christmas is hot and the Fourth of July is cold.
• There are mansions built right across from the slums.
• Children may instantly like or be scared of you just because you are white.
• The people are the most open and friendly people you will ever meet…everyone is.
• The sun rises at 5:30am and stays out until 8pm.
• You are raised to surf.
• Monkeys are everywhere, even right outside your tent to wake you up in the morning.
• You are constantly doing math because one dollar equals eight rand. (I still don’t know my 8 and 7 times tables…math was never my strong suit)
• EVERYONE looks amazing.
• You WILL see an elephant.
• Locals call Johannesburg, Jo-Burg for short.
• Fedora’s are the ultimate fashion statement…especially for beachwear
• The prime place to hang out is at the gas station…much like the States
• Dogs travel in packs.
• But most of all, it’s enough like America to not make you homesick but it’s different enough to make you feel like you are somewhere exotic…it’s pretty much the best place of earth.
