I've had several people ask me in the last week, "Why South Africa?" It's a very valid question, as South Africa is not a common destination for a vacation. So I am going to attempt to put all my dreams and feelings into a good explanation. :-)
First let me say that ever since I was a small child I have been fascinated by anything "foreign" or "cultural". I remember going to ethnic festivals in D.C. in elementary school. I remember looking at the people in their ethnic dress and breathing in the scents of all the food cooking. I started collecting coins from other countries when I was 7 I think it was.
With that said, the truth is, I don't know exactly when I became interested in South Africa. I can say, though, that it all started with a plane. Remember this post? When I was little (I don't remember how little), we were at the airport and I somehow saw a South Africa Airways plane parked out the window. I remember staring at the colors and thinking that any plane colored so brightly must be going somewhere really neat, so whenever I heard anything about South Africa from then on, I remembered my plane. I always look for them each time I'm at an airport. Although I'm not sure this is what did it, I did do a very intense research paper on South Africa in college when I was part of an international program, but it focused mainly on apartheid and I don't remember getting super excited about it.
I really think my interest was sparked about 2 years ago when I found a website listing radio stations from all over the world-- stations that also broadcasted on the web. I was trying to find an exotic one where I could still understand what they were saying, so I went straight for South Africa. From then on, I've read, thought, and dreamed about South Africa.
I love that it's Africa-- tribes, wild animals-- yet I could go over there and live and lead what we Americans think of as a "normal" life. I think it's intersting that white, English-speaking people live in such an exotic place and it's normal to them. I think it's neat that it's so British. Some of my fondest memories are of my semester spent at Cambridge University in England. I also love the European influence.
So there you have it. I hope that made sense! :-)
Posted by Hannah at June 26, 2005 05:46 PMYou're pretty right about SA! It's so diverse - and that's exactly what makes it interesting! Some of us lead rather Eurocentric lives (complete with American tv, i.e. Dr Phil!), and yet a few kilometres from just about anywhere, there are people who still live in a more 'traditionally african' manner. The great thing about this country is all the topographical diversity as well, from the beautiful coasts to the rugged mountains to the savannah like bushveld etc - it is much like the diversity of the US, only everything is much closer together. There are no internal flights in South Africa that take longer than 2 hours - which shows you the size of the place. Anyway - I'm excited that you'll be coming to see everything!
Posted by: Valkyrie at June 27, 2005 05:02 AMSA sounds like a cool place to go to
Posted by: jr at June 27, 2005 06:19 AMremember to snap pictures of the big 5 eheheheh
Posted by: Feli at June 27, 2005 09:34 AMI see you are watching Sideways. I'm very interested to hear what you thought of it. :-)
Posted by: Allison at June 27, 2005 10:22 AMTHat is such a neat story/reason!
Posted by: Allison at June 27, 2005 04:19 PMWhy not South Africa? *lol*. Even Oprah loves coming here.
Posted by: Michelle at June 28, 2005 06:21 PM