I've been in Cape Town for a couple days now, and it still feels so unreal. After all those months of praying, waiting, preparing, and waiting some more, it's hard to believe that I'm actually in South Africa.
The last time I was on this continent, I was in South Sudan. And in a tiny part of the back of my mind, I think I was expecting South Africa to be like Sudan. Newsflash - it's not. I was told yesterday that I have now been to the two extremes of Africa. I think that has been the biggest "culture shock" for me. I was expecting it to be so different, and yet it's not. If I didn't know better, I would think that I had just plopped myself down in a much warmer part of Canada. It's hard to remember that although it may look, smell, and even sound (except for the accent) like Canada, it's a completely different culture, and people are probably interpreting what I say and do very differently than they would in Canada.
I went to the beach yesterday afternoon for orientation (the couple that is orientating me was shocked I hadn't been there yet, and decided I needed a proper orientation, aka the beach and ice cream). It's funny - I've been to the ocean before, but it had never seemed so powerful before. All I could sense was the wind in my face, the saltiness of the air, the roar of the ocean, and an overpowering feeling that God is present. Hopefully the rest of orientation is as fun and relaxing!
Speaking of which, I'll be in Cape Town for a few more days doing more orientation (and catching up on sleep - this whole jet lag thing is harder than I thought!). Cathy, the woman I will be working under and staying with for the first little bit in Durban, came to Cape Town yesterday, and I will be leaving with her on Wednesday for Durban. Once again, it's hard to believe it's actually happening. Four short days, and I will be there! So excited!
The last time I was on this continent, I was in South Sudan. And in a tiny part of the back of my mind, I think I was expecting South Africa to be like Sudan. Newsflash - it's not. I was told yesterday that I have now been to the two extremes of Africa. I think that has been the biggest "culture shock" for me. I was expecting it to be so different, and yet it's not. If I didn't know better, I would think that I had just plopped myself down in a much warmer part of Canada. It's hard to remember that although it may look, smell, and even sound (except for the accent) like Canada, it's a completely different culture, and people are probably interpreting what I say and do very differently than they would in Canada.
I went to the beach yesterday afternoon for orientation (the couple that is orientating me was shocked I hadn't been there yet, and decided I needed a proper orientation, aka the beach and ice cream). It's funny - I've been to the ocean before, but it had never seemed so powerful before. All I could sense was the wind in my face, the saltiness of the air, the roar of the ocean, and an overpowering feeling that God is present. Hopefully the rest of orientation is as fun and relaxing!
Speaking of which, I'll be in Cape Town for a few more days doing more orientation (and catching up on sleep - this whole jet lag thing is harder than I thought!). Cathy, the woman I will be working under and staying with for the first little bit in Durban, came to Cape Town yesterday, and I will be leaving with her on Wednesday for Durban. Once again, it's hard to believe it's actually happening. Four short days, and I will be there! So excited!
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