Having travelled here a number of times I’ve noticed a few things that were just not like home. Now this IS home so it’s just a fact of life I cannot get away from. I’m not complaining. I love Africa. These are just some things I have observed since I got here that will take a bit of getting used to. I’m sure this list will continue to grow.

10. Cows…. They are everywhere, just hangin out, eatin a little grass. I have seen them outside my window in the morning and even in the median in the middle of a busy highway. Do they know to look both ways before crossing? Who’s cows are these anyways?  Seems like there is a cow revolt here, they are bustin out of the fences. 

9. Driving on the left side of the road. This results in the steering wheel being on the wrong side of the car. Suppose I will get used to this one but I still cannot seem to get into the correct side of the car. You open the door and think someone has stolen the steering wheel.

8. Napkins- Don’t dare ask for one of these in a public place. I have done this once and it was rather embarrassing. The meaning is ENTIRELY different. They are known as serviettes.

7. Gas – is sold by the liter and is about $5.50 a gallon. I had to sit down and calculate this one out. Don’t think I will be doing that again anytime soon. I thought $4 gas was bad!!

6. Waiting in line- Affectionately known as a queue here in Africa. You do this for just about everything. If you are lucky you only need to stand in one line to get something accomplished. Many times you get sent to another line and maybe even a third one. This seems like an area where delegation of tasks could be highly desirable.

5. Ketchup- Known as tomato sauce here. Nothing even remotely resembling Heinz.

4. Internet connections- If they are even available they are slooowwwww. And if it rains, forget it. They are probably not gonna work.

3. Door locks- EVERYTHING is a skeleton key. I have yet to see a “normal” set of tumblers in a door. I wonder how many different skeleton keys there are? They all have an alphanumeric code on them. Seems like you could “collect them all”

2. Coffee- Starbucks…? No such thing. Brewed coffee…? Not a chance. Instant Nescafe is the order of the day. There oughta be a law against this.

AND THE NUMBER ONE IS……….

Urination in public- This is quite acceptable with no attempt in the least to be discrete. Not sure I will ever get used to this one.  Although it is quite convenient for the men I seriously doubt I will be joining in this practice anytime soon. I hope I am spared the experience of seeing anyone but the men practicing this. Instead of “No loitering” signs they have “No urination” signs here. 

Stay tuned for the next installment.