Expats

So it’s been a couple of days since I’ve last written, for some reason I have found myself rather uninspired. Today I find myself just as mentally under stimulated as yesterday but with something to share.

Last night my other half and myself found ourselves in the lovely and welcoming home of the Jooste family. Yes, I said Jooste – not very American – in fact this lovely family is about as Afrikaans as they come (they make their own biltong in America). Friends of friends, we were put in touch with them to give me some South African support and show me that I am not the only SAFFA so far away from home, in fact there are apparently a whole bunch of us lost in the South!

So sipping on some lovely South African wine we chatted for hours about home and adjusting to the American way. They have been here for 8 years and although the kids have adopted the southern twang quite nicely Mnr and Mev Jooste het nog hul regte Afrikaans aksente and boy did I love it! Yes, I found myself starting to think in Afrikaans again, scary or comforting I don’t know yet…

One thing I found amazing is that all expats seem to miss the same things (take notes for sending care packages); Mrs Balls Chutney, Ouma Rusks, 5 Roses Tea, Sweet Chilli Sauce, Sparletta Cream Soda, biltong, oh, and the mountain.

With the promise of being invited to the next Tuisland Tannies Tea I left with a smile on my face and the knowledge of the fact that I am not alone (to the tune of Michael Jackson of course).

Miskien sal el begin om my Afrikaans erfenis te vier en dinge soos bobotie begin kook. Minnie jy moet trots wees.