Chat Chat, Coffee Coffee

In closing out the first week of my host stay, there are a few things about South Africa I have come to realize as truths. Conversation is endless, and coffee is a must. In my first few days, dialogue during dinner lasted for hours, literally. While I already knew this from my experiences at the restaurants during the tourist weeks, the homestay has brought a whole new understanding. My family and I have chatted on average at least three to four hours per night. With this extensive communication, coffee is also a requirement, as well as during most other parts of the day. Coffee for breakfast, coffee during meals, coffee for dessert, coffee for conversation… As I was trying to fall asleep last night and could not manage, it took me some great thinking as to the reason why – coffee!! Fortunately, yesterday was the only day I brought myself to have a mocca java coffee. I have stuck primarily to water or tea. Tom (one of my host members) has made a Brit out of me yet by getting me into drinking tea mixed with a bit of warm milk and a spoonful of brown sugar. I’m curious as to what other sorts of cultural exposure or trouble they will get me into next :D