Before we go any further, let's all get on the same (web) page here.
Below are Who's Who and What's What in our subsequent journey:
"sharp, sharp-" pronounced more like "shapshap" in real life, it's a common South African phrase meaning everything from "alright" to "let's go" to looking flyin' and stylish.
Izora- My Fulbright partner. A lovely gal from Chicago who so far has put up with both working and living with me for 60 days. Props to her. We're a good team.
Lizzy- Field Director for Peace Corps. We met her randomly one night at an all-you-can-eat sushi buffet (American habits die hard...) and we mentioned we were looking for a place to stay. Luckily, she had an entire empty house that needed some filling...so in we moved! Lizzy's from Cali and has been here for over 2 years. She knows what's up and helps me recharge data/minutes on my phone, and tells us when we're being hit on.
Nana- Izora's Boerboel/ South African Mastif puppy, also known as "Banana" or "Wiener." She is the dichotomy of love and hate in a physical form. Her first language is Afrikaans and she's growing at a rate of 2.5 Kilos (5 pounds) a week. Right now she is all joints and paws, but soon will have the body of a rugby player.
Girl Squad- The collective name for the Girl Power four-some that is Izora, Lizzy, myself, and the NanaBanana.
Ahimsa- the Sanskirt word for "not to injure" and "compassion." I'm trying to make this my philosophy starting Term 2 towards school, myself, and general life in South Africa. Some days are much more successful than others.
PLK- Polokwane. Our home base and the largest city in the province of Limpopo. We're closer to Mozambique and Zimbabwe than Cape Town. It's a small big city where every one knows each other and there's not really that much to do, but that's ok.
Flora Park- A neighborhood in Polokwane where our school is located. Our school's full name is Flora Park Comprehensive High School, but I'll probably just call it Flora Park.
Biltong- dried meat, essentially beef jerky. I don't know why I love it so, but it has become the bottom of my food pyramid whenever in Southern Africa. There are so many varieties and it's like Paleo or whatever so just let me live.
Braai- What South Africans live for. Essentially a cook out over a slow burning wood grill, but also the way to celebrate accomplishments or get anyone to hang out with you. Used in a sentence it's, "Hey, come over to my place, we're having a braai," to which the answer is always "yes."
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