December 07, 2008
Minor Thoughts on South Africa
1). I'm in South Africa. This is going to be fun.
2). In Dakar, where my plane stopped, the security forces came onboard and "searched" the plane. They lifted the seat cushions and pulled back the seat backs; they checked in the tray table compartments and jostled the oxygen tanks. They were exceptionally methodical. Though I'm not sure what they were looking for, as they didn't inspect anyone's luggage or personal items. Possibly it's a form of social welfare, like the CCC? (Hey, maybe we could address the surging unemployment by doubling the size of the TSA? Then they could add additional important screenings, like seeing if passengers can pat their head while rubbing their tummy. [Aside.]
3). I've been listening to Maria Taylor a lot. She is part of Delta's pre-takeoff music routine as well. Funny, because I'd never heard of her before six months ago, had two random and unrelated exposures to her name, and ended up getting her cds from the library. (And creating a pandora station, but who doesn't these days?) My favorite songs are "Clean Getaway" and "Small Part of Me."
4). I've only been menacingly followed by two people since I arrived in Cape Town. Running away seemed to do the trick, so I don't know what the whole hullabaloo about crime here is.
5). Speaking of crime, Cape Town reminds me so much of Baltimore. Just with actual squatter camps made of tin and cardboard, instead of occupied abandoned buildings. And about 10 times the number of annual murders. (But who's counting?)
6). I can't wait to see giraffes. And elephants. And zebras! On the plane here, I asked a guy where I could find zebras. He said, "Zebras? Cbrist, those suckers are everywhere. Like bloody ants around here."
7). The same guy seemed to be a slightly disgruntled white person. He suggested there wasn't anything special on Robben Island, and I shouldn't bother visiting. I don't think he meant that all the political prisoners had left. (Aside: the tour of the prison was given by a former prisoner. He was superb, and I felt really happy about the hope for humanity.)
8). I went to a clothing store, and they had dozens of pants in size 28. I was slightly incredulous, until I tried them on and they fit. Also, 75% of the ties here are polyester. Seriously, it's a classy skinny vegan's paradise.
9). I hate when there is more than one button on a toilet. It's so confusing for an uncultured American such as myself.
10). I almost bought a ticket to London today. It was about $600, and the itinerary involved spending a night in NYC and an afternoon and evening in LA. I've never been to LA before, and it would be lovely to visit for a day.
11). It's 36 degrees today. Celsius, of course.
12). I've been hanging out with a girl (back in the States), who is semi-frustratingly fantastic. She's vegan, in the super cool way, absolutely adorable, and has me seriously considering whether I actually need sleep anymore. (My buddy from long ago. Only now, she kisses me.) I seem to be thinking about her constantly, so I suppose I'm quite keen on her. I should probably work out the salient details soon, like her favorite book, her high school GPA, and her last name.
13). Digital SLR cameras are the coolest thing ever. Only, since they take pictures about five times faster, I seem to be taking five times as many pictures. Thank god for 4GB memory cards and giant battery cells.
14). I saw penguins. They're pretty lazy, actually, but also super cute. I want one.
Posted by Sean at December 7, 2008 05:24 PM