When in Africa...
(Yes, another journal entry from South Africa! I believe this was at the beginning of July.)
JULY - SOUTH AFRICA
-When in Africa, its a good idea to know as much of the local language as possible. It might just help you stay out of trouble. Today, the word car saved my life.-
As I was walking down the streets of the Diepsloot squatter camp, I had Amu on my back playing with my hair and babbling off in Zulu as she tends to do. I met Amu when we did VBS a few weeks back and ever since, she has stuck to me like glue. Amu doesn't speak any English so the little bit of Zulu I do know comes in handy when I can't find my translator! But, Amu doesn't care whether or not I can understand her because even after I have given her the blank stare that universally screams, "I can't understand a word you're saying!", she continues on talking. And boy, am I glad she kept on talking today!
When I say "Africa", people automatically imagine me hiking through remote villages and staying alert and on the lookout for wild animals like lions and poisonous snakes. Now I'm not saying that it will never come to that at some point, perhaps in Zambia, but here in South Africa the only danger I'm worried about is crazy drivers. I have this firm belief that almost anyone here can get a licence and that the words "pedestrian right of way" have no meaning here. It seems to me that nearly every time I come to South Africa, I manage to almost get hit by a car! In fact, my first year trip to South Africa, I was nearly run over BY MY OWN BUS DRIVER! If one of my wonderfully heroic teammates had not pulled me out of the way I am certain that he would not have stopped considering that he had no idea that he nearly hit me in the first place.
So on to how Amu saved my life...
While I was crossing the street to catch up with my teammates, I was not paying attention because there are almost never any cars driving through the squatter camps except for on occasions. The next thing I knew, I had Amu patting me on the head yelling "imoto, imoto!!!!". I quickly recognized that she was saying "car" and turned around to see one coming right at us with no intention to stop! I then ran out of the way and began thanking God that I had learned that word before I left Dallas.
When in Africa.... It's a good idea to pay attention while crossing the street.
JULY - SOUTH AFRICA
-When in Africa, its a good idea to know as much of the local language as possible. It might just help you stay out of trouble. Today, the word car saved my life.-
As I was walking down the streets of the Diepsloot squatter camp, I had Amu on my back playing with my hair and babbling off in Zulu as she tends to do. I met Amu when we did VBS a few weeks back and ever since, she has stuck to me like glue. Amu doesn't speak any English so the little bit of Zulu I do know comes in handy when I can't find my translator! But, Amu doesn't care whether or not I can understand her because even after I have given her the blank stare that universally screams, "I can't understand a word you're saying!", she continues on talking. And boy, am I glad she kept on talking today!
When I say "Africa", people automatically imagine me hiking through remote villages and staying alert and on the lookout for wild animals like lions and poisonous snakes. Now I'm not saying that it will never come to that at some point, perhaps in Zambia, but here in South Africa the only danger I'm worried about is crazy drivers. I have this firm belief that almost anyone here can get a licence and that the words "pedestrian right of way" have no meaning here. It seems to me that nearly every time I come to South Africa, I manage to almost get hit by a car! In fact, my first year trip to South Africa, I was nearly run over BY MY OWN BUS DRIVER! If one of my wonderfully heroic teammates had not pulled me out of the way I am certain that he would not have stopped considering that he had no idea that he nearly hit me in the first place.
So on to how Amu saved my life...
While I was crossing the street to catch up with my teammates, I was not paying attention because there are almost never any cars driving through the squatter camps except for on occasions. The next thing I knew, I had Amu patting me on the head yelling "imoto, imoto!!!!". I quickly recognized that she was saying "car" and turned around to see one coming right at us with no intention to stop! I then ran out of the way and began thanking God that I had learned that word before I left Dallas.
When in Africa.... It's a good idea to pay attention while crossing the street.
This is Amu and I at VBS in Diepsloot, South Africa.
Blessed to Be Alive,
Olivia Thabisa Cartwright
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