Give Me S'more

My time in South Africa has been a lot of me learning about the cultures around me: Languages, traditions, concepts of time, values, roles, the works. And I know I am nowhere near understanding everything. Sometimes, I can get so caught up in integrating and learning about life here that my own culture and self can get a bit lost in the mix. Last night, something seemingly silly brought me a fresh breath of, “oh yeah, this is me. This is who I am.” Last night we had a bonfire.

I put on my flannel and went to the grocery store. I did my best to gather the classic s’more ingredients. Of course, in semi-rural South Africa there is a bit of a different selection than the homeland of MN. Still, I came out successful with 2 rolls of Marie Biscuits, a bag of white and pink marshmallows, and 5 chocolate bars. I hurried home anxiously awaiting dusk and the sounds of a crackling fire.

My sister and I scoped out the yard and found a nice patch of dirt next to the wood pile. We attempted to cut some wood and after several hard hacks but zero complete cuts, we called my host brother to finish the job. I went back to get the goods from my room and before I knew it my brother had started up the fire. I brought out chairs for me and my sibs and as soon as I sat down the familiar sensation of gathering around the fire warmed both my hands and heart.

We collected roasting sticks and my host brother DJ’ed the event. There were several burned mallows at first, but they soon mastered the art of roasting to bubbly, gooey, golden brown perfection. It was all so familiar. The smells, the sounds, the tastes, the stars. And yet it was all so unique. Biting through the thick hunks of chocolate, South African jams in the background, bringing s’mores to people inside because they didn’t want to come out in the cold. It was the same but different. Familiar and yet completely original.

In some ways, it felt like a micro-reflection on these past 10 months, so close to what I know and yet completely foreign at times. Undoubtedly unique and original. And I think that’s what makes this experience so special. It just life. Waking up, going to work, grocery shopping, cleaning, hanging out. It’s the day to day stuff you do anywhere. Yeah, it looks a little different and at times can feel outrageously unknown, but it’s sharing life with people around you and there isn’t much better than that.

Slowly everyone went off to bed until just my brother and I remained. We sat in silence with only the colours of the embers and the sounds of the night to keep up company. I felt so much peace. I felt completely myself. And most importantly I felt home.

I drifted off to sleep with the scent of campfire in my hair grateful for a night that brought back familiar memories and simultaneously created brand new ones.

That’s the beauty of sharing ourselves; sharing our cultures. We learn so much along the way and through all the confusion, pain, and joy we become more authentic versions of ourselves.

With love from Fall in SA,

Caitlin

P.S: I’m hoping to do a Q+A post soon, so send me your questions or questions you think people might have about my PC experience so far.

P.P.S: I added a few new pictures to my photo gallery! Check it out so my time spent slowly uploading the pics and cleverly captioning them isn’t for nothing. But no pressure ;)