Every year the grade 12s (otherwise known as matrics, because they matriculate not graduate) get to dress up in their best attire, bring a date, and dance the night away. Basically, it is like our prom. However, the grade 11s arranged everything and acted as hostesses for the evening. The theme for this year was Moroccan! Everything was very colorful, there were belly dancers, the food was Moroccan themed, there was even a photo area set up in the foyer with a red tent filled with a couch, pillows, fruit, and candles! Before the dance actually started there was a display walk set up leading into the school from the area where the girls would be dropped off. There were big spotlights and people lined both sides of a path. As the girls arrived, everyone got to see their dresses (and their dates!) and they got applause as they headed into the building. I don’t have any pictures from the night because it was hard to take pictures while they were walking, but I can tell you that the dresses were absolutely beautiful, the heels were high, and the ladies looked fabulous! Once the dance started, the doors were locked and everyone who was there had to be there until 11 pm when the dance ended. The staff was allowed to leave though, so Wellyna and I left around 10:30. This all happened Saturday evening, but earlier that day we went to the market and watched hockey games here at the school. It was a full day, but very, very fun.
I just recently ran across another girls blog who is staying here in South Africa. She is one of the other COST students who was placed in Port Elizabeth and actually goes to school with Wellyna. She just left to go home Sunday, but she recently posted a list of colloquialisms comparing South African language to American language. I copied and pasted it below. A big thank you to Katharine for compiling all of these words!
CLOTHING:
tennis shoes / sneakers = techies (technical trainers)
swim suit = costume
SCHOOL NECESSITIES:
students = learners
whiteout = Tippex
eraser = rubber
schedule = timetable
agenda = diary
grading = marking
matric = senior
matriculation = graduation
FOOD:
chicken sandwich = chicken burger
beef jerky = biltong (except biltong is dried raw instead of cooked. Still delicious!)
popsicle = ice lolly
chips = crisps
french fries = chips
candy = sweets
cookout / barbeque = braai
OUT AND ABOUT:
pharmacist = chemist
line = queue
traffic light = robot
HANDY PHRASES:
Farting = Shooting a bunny
Right away = Now now
Within the hour = Just now
Eventually = Now
Howzit? = How are you doing?
When speaking, South Africans sometimes drop the article “the”. For example, you would say, “He is in hospital” or "I go to University".
One more post to go before being caught up!
Cheers!
-Anna
I just recently ran across another girls blog who is staying here in South Africa. She is one of the other COST students who was placed in Port Elizabeth and actually goes to school with Wellyna. She just left to go home Sunday, but she recently posted a list of colloquialisms comparing South African language to American language. I copied and pasted it below. A big thank you to Katharine for compiling all of these words!
CLOTHING:
tennis shoes / sneakers = techies (technical trainers)
swim suit = costume
SCHOOL NECESSITIES:
students = learners
whiteout = Tippex
eraser = rubber
schedule = timetable
agenda = diary
grading = marking
matric = senior
matriculation = graduation
FOOD:
chicken sandwich = chicken burger
beef jerky = biltong (except biltong is dried raw instead of cooked. Still delicious!)
popsicle = ice lolly
chips = crisps
french fries = chips
candy = sweets
cookout / barbeque = braai
OUT AND ABOUT:
pharmacist = chemist
line = queue
traffic light = robot
HANDY PHRASES:
Farting = Shooting a bunny
Right away = Now now
Within the hour = Just now
Eventually = Now
Howzit? = How are you doing?
When speaking, South Africans sometimes drop the article “the”. For example, you would say, “He is in hospital” or "I go to University".
One more post to go before being caught up!
Cheers!
-Anna