Things to learn at warp speed
Mini meltdown in Johannesburg
Mon 19 Sep 2011 - Mon 26 Sep 2011
It's been one week since I got to Jo'burg, and there have been things that I have had to learn very quickly.
1. The very first thing to do when you sit inside your car is to...no, not wear your seat belt. It's to lock the doors. Practically every woman I have met has reminded me that I must remember to lock the doors, before even fumbling to put the keys in the ignition.
2. Not having automatic windows suck! I have asked Avis to change my car because this weekend I realized how important power windows are. The number of times I had to roll down my window to take a security pass to enter a lot, and then roll it up and then roll it back down to return the pass and then roll it up again and then roll it down again at the next place to get a security pass and then roll it up again. You get the point.
3. Must carry a purse (which I then hide behind my legs, under the driver's seat, while I drive and put in the boot of the car, when at the gym). Not using a purse the first few days was silly - there is a front door key to carry, and a key to the security metal door, and then keys to car, and then a clicker to let me out of the gates community, and then a pass to badge into the parking lot at work, and another one to badge into the actual building.
All this being said, after seeing compounds and roads and building with barbed wire and "Armed Response" signs (and having a little mini freak-out just now), I am told repeatedly that it's not all that bad and that one has to live ones life (but be constantly on the alert!). And oh, traffic lights are called Robots.
And the Green Ambulance, is a Sprite-ish kinda drink used as a Hangover Cure.
Pictures of my absolutely lovely apartment, where I feel perfectly safe.
And to sign off for now, this is the sign that welcomes you as you walk in to work.
Posted by Goofy9 Tue 27 Sep 2011 12:24 Archived in South Africa
security is what living is all about!! One must not make oneself safe to survive--one must feel safe to live!! Makes sense?
despite the above, i'd still say my prayer for you is to keep you SAFE!
Tue 27 Sep 2011 by usha