i'm gonna miss this

I'm really glad my family came to visit me in South Africa. It was nice geting to show them the country that has become my second home. And even though I only took them to Halfrica/ fake Africa (the parts of Africa that have a plethora of wealthy white residents), they saw township shantys, explored beautiful countryside, partook in certain local customs, drank local wine and even ate South African cuisine!

One thing that surprised me about our trip was that after I left Kimberley, after I entered cities where I wasn't familiar with the local languages at all (and had to speak English like any other tourist), after I spent more than a day in Halfrica, I realized just how much I'm gonna miss this place.

I'm going to miss the food - African spices, pap and the delectable sauces that always accompany it, spakloh and kotas, potato chips (I'm tearing up just thinking about not having my Sweet Chili Doritos), chakalaka, Wellington's Sweet Chili Sauce (there isn't a dish I won't slather in Wellington's), South African pizza and the mouth-watering combinations they're willing to try, Chock-its, Cadburry hot chocolate mis, and the free rande, high quality cuts of meat.

I'm going to miss the soccer - the omnipresence of supporters and team flags, the pick-up games around every township corner and the soccer fields squeezed into different landscapes.

I'm going to miss the environment - the diverse landscapes, plants and animals. I'm going tom iss the sunsets in Kim - Kim is devoid of a skyline and instead of skyscrapers and sprawling trees, I get a fantastic view of the sun as it sets every day. I'm going to miss the weather! Sure, I've bitched and moaned about the scorching sun that boils blood as well as the cold winter air that penetrates four layers of clothing, but for most of the year the weather is very pleasant. There is no humidity, the air is fresh and its very pleasant to be outside.

I'm going to miss the township scene - sitting behing shantys with some of my guy friends as they drink and smoke and shoot the breeze; listening to House music (and dancing occasionally) at Telos Place; hanging out with coaches at Hulana Park; and being recognized as a Grassroot Soccer Coach by dozens of kids.


I'm going to miss Skillz Street. So much of my past year has been dominated by Skillz Street and it has been incredibly fulfilling to see my program suggestions become a reality. I also don't know the next time I will have the opportunity to help craft an incredible program that has the power to affect positive change in the lives of young girls.

I'm going to miss the daily interactions - greeting everyone I see, whether I recognize them or not; listening to people's stories from the past day, month or year; getting big smiles when I speak the lieelt bits of Tswana that I know; having people take an interest in why I am here and wanting to get to know me more; and joking with Stretch and Mpho every time I go get spakloh.

And last but certainly not least, I'm going to miss the people. From interns to coaches, from roomies to landlords, a lot of people have mad a difference in my life this past year. And I'm going to miss them.