Four weeks and just one night out (the pizza was actually take out). I’m a recluse. I know.
I actually have a lot of work I’m trying to finish up right now. Not overwhelming. But close.
But that’s not the only reason. I’ve been trying my hardest to think of how best to explain the discomfort I often have in social situations in this country.
The explanation came this week.
The other volunteer here, a German 19-year-old, had made a friend the night the two of us went to the bar. He invited us back to the bar this week. We both passed. So the next night he invited us to a party. I passed. She went.
When she came back, she was amazed at the conversations she heard. It was an all-white party, and of course they started talking about race relations in the country. The subject of whites and blacks living in the same areas came up. They tried to explain to her why it just didn’t make sense to them. “I mean it’s like, think about the wild. Different animals don’t drink from the same watering hole. It’s just not natural.”
Yeah. And the girl STILL hung out with them again the next night.
seriously. that’s disgusting.
Yuck. I can barely even believe people still think like that. It’s actually kind of shocking to read about.
Actually it makes me nervous to visit. We were thinking of going for the World Cup and while I’m dying to go I wonder how people will react to my obviously latino husband. Reading about people’s reactions to you has been a serious eye opener for me.
Yuck. I know!
Well, Kyle…I think anyone with the chance to go to a World Cup should go. I would just not do the “normal” World Cup drinking. And your hubby will fit in just fine, I think…people will probably both think you’re South African (he looks like he could pass for a “colored” person here). I’d just say you have to be really careful to be safe here!