Sunday 3 July 2011

Random observations

Here are a few random observations that couldn't make up a whole post individually.

- Pop cans have heavy bottoms.  Even when they are empty, I think there is something left.

- New cars still come with ashtrays and a lighter.

- Addresses here are:  House Number and Street
                                   Neighbourhood and City
                                   Postal Code
                  They don't mention the province at all.

- There are 3, 1st Avenues in Port Elizabeth:  1st Avenue Newton Park, 1st Avenue Central and 1st Avenue Walmer.  Which is probably why the address includes the neighbourhoods, not provinces.

- Everyone wheels shopping carts around the mall.  The anchor stores are usually grocery stores or have a grocery department, so everyone just wheels the carts around the whole mall.

 - Almost every parking lot has parking guards.  Some are paid employees, others are unemployed and looking for a way to make some money.  They wander the parking lots in safety vests, pointing out empty spots.  If you nod at them as you leave your car they will watch over it to make sure it stays safe while you are shopping.    When you return to your car they help you load your purchases into your trunk.  They direct you as you back out by holding off traffic and guiding you with hand signals.  They even return your shopping cart if you have one.  If you have nodded to them to watch your car you give them R1 or R2 for their service. 

- We live on Algoa Bay, which is part of the Indian Ocean, but everyone here calls it the sea.

- They don't say zero, they say oh or naught.

- Cream soda is green not pink.

Next Post: Food

2 comments:

  1. It sounds like you're settling in! Yesterday I was walking across to the school to pick the boys up from SNAP camp and saw someone walking away with 3 kids and I was SURE it was you! Clearly, not so much!!

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  2. We're working on it at least. The next post will explain a lot about the settling in process. Not a chance I would come back home and not tell you so we could get the kids together. I can guarentee if we're on the way home you'll know about it. Say hi to everyone for me.

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