Journal of This Southern Africa Adventure
May, 2000
15 May
There are, of course, several cultural differences between the people's of South Africa and the United States. The men (black and white) tend to be much more macho, boastful, dominant, and all too polite to women. Women, however, seem to be fighting back and tend to be very aggressive in meetings. The blacks are more family oriented and the whites are more individualistic. While there are many cultures where women friends hold hands, it is not uncommon to see two black men walking down the street holding hands.
Well, Bessy is starting to get too use to South African currency. She has been complaining that it cost almost 90 Rand for three small plastic bags of groceries. At the current exchange rate 1 US$ = R7, that that is less than $13. I fear that she will have severe sticker shock after returning to the US.
Is this a coincidence or what? In South Africa, there is Blockbusters Video, Danone Yogurt, Woolworth's and, of course, the local fast-food joint boasts that it's hamburger is "Born in the RSA." Ummm!
The new Volkswagen Beetle has finally hit South Africa. I have recently been seeing them on the road. This is only about two years after they were introduced in the US. It seems odd, however, because there are plenty of old Beetles in very good condition still on the roads. In fact there are lots of very nice old cars on the road in South Africa including 1950's Jaguars, Mercedes, and Morris Minors. I have even seen some old right hand drive Camaros and Mustangs.
It is now May and the weather is turning a bit chilly. Nighttime temperatures of 40 degrees F may not seem that cold but none of the houses have insulation or built-in heaters. Portable electric and propane heaters are very common. This is also the start of the dry season. The skys are clear and the air is crisp. I have been noticing a few people camping near a small stream that runs in a deep channel in the middle of town. They have a small fire going every morning and have been throwing their trash down into the channel Someone seems to be cleaning it up every day. The attitude among the poor people is that littering is ok because it creates jobs.
Malaria has hit the ranks. On a recent trip to Victoria Falls, one of our colleagues got Malaria, even though she took several precautions including using bug spray, washing in anti-mosquito soap, and consuming anti-malaria pills. Apparently, the malaria that she caught is a rare form. She has 104 degree temperature and was hospitalized for several days. We and several other colleagues were also in Victoria Falls at the same time but no one else has gotten ill, except for consuming the malaria pills which reek havoc on one's stomach.
30 May
Ugh! Malaria has hit me! I was sick for a week and had gone to the doctor
on day 3 of it. The initial blood tests revealed nothing. After the week, I
went back and another blood test revealed the malaria. I believe that I got the parasite
(via a mosquito sting) on a trip to Vic Falls. (Next time I will be taking, and will
continue to take, preventive malaria pills). The fever one gets from Malaria is not
a pleasant experience.
After 3 nights in a hospital and a 9 days of taking Quinine, I am much better. Malaria is
a serious disease in Africa. Failure to treat it quickly can result in death.
Malaria, apparently, is the biggest killer in Africa, even more than Aids and TB. Well,
now I can say that I have experienced even more of Africa.
Medical aid seems to be pretty good in South Africa (if you get into the right hospital) and it is relatively cheap. A visit to the doctor costs R80 or about $12 USD. A doctor's visit to your home (yes, they make house calls) is much more, that is, about R350 or $50. One of the blood tests that I had was even conducted at home.
Back to "African Journal"
This page was last updated on .
