Friday, August 10, 2007

Differences in South Africa




Celsius instead of farenheit, kilometers instead of miles, rand instead of dollars, 7 hr. time change, winter instead of summer. GPS said we were 9000 miles from home!
Different terminology: french fries are called chips, biscuits are scones, cookies are called biscuits, napkins are serviettes, diapers are called napkins, bathroom is the loo or toilet, swimsuit is a costume, get in line is get in the que, watch your step is mind the gap, small truck is a lorry, medium truck is a bucky, van is a combi. It became a fun game realizing the different terminology. The hardest difference to get used to was driving on the left hand side of the road. And did you know the water in their drains runs opposite of ours? And why is this---they are south of the equator.
People crammed in the back of a bucky was a common sight. Another unusual sight was watching people walk the center of the highways selling golf balls, sunglasses, purses, sling shots, grass hut frames, sports jerseys, maps, and firewood.

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