Good Things Come to Those Who Au Lait (2016 Trip)

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Is there any better way to start your morning than with coffee? It’s Folger’s in your cup! Until I’ve had coffee in the morning, I look like I’ve been tased. I need that coffee. Coffee became a breakfast staple in the United States around 1773, as an alternative to British tea. Who would’ve thought having coffee in the morning was a patriotic form of protest? Certainly not me.  

I wax on about coffee, because, as some of you are finding out, coffee is not as big of a thing in other places of the world. I anticipated many shocks to my psyche during our 2016 trip to South Africa; disparity between generations, socioeconomic status, and culture. Boy, did I not expect to be scrounging like an addict for a whiff of coffee, only to be met with “tea?” But don’t worry, you’ll survive. And, the Rooibos tea is pretty good.

When I traveled with the group going into my senior year of college, I had no idea of the world outside my own bubble, and my likes and dislikes. Matthew does an amazing job of trying to prepare you for it, but Matthew, you didn’t mention the coffee crisis. I was not very adventurous in my younger years. Initially, I wanted to write to you all about how you’ll probably never get to go back to South Africa, because bills and life get in the way. Lo and behold, while searching for a picture to include with this post, I stumbled upon a picture I took of a plate of pasta I had in Johannesburg.

Pasta. The most comfortable of comfort foods we have. And, I was mad at myself. I was so focused on the idea of how not to be a “voluntourist,” and to look outside myself to see how people live in other places, I forgot to make memories. Chiefly, that is the whole point of your journey, is to dig into South Africa’s history of gold, jewels, apartheid and how their country struggles now due to colonialism. But, I call you to remember to experience a place through food as well. That is something you can take with you. I make bobotie about three times a year, and I dream about it when I’m out (it’s like a shepherd’s pie but with egg instead of mashed potatoes on top. We had it in Johannesburg. Yum).  

I hope you find there are experiences that will mean more to you than missing your daily pleasures. Try the oxtail soup, it’s delicious! Or the grilled kudu, you won’t find it at Outback Steakhouse. Don’t go all the way around the world to eat spaghetti. In five years, you won’t want to look back at this and wish you could’ve been more adventurous. Starbucks will still be here when you get back. Some experiences may be uncomfortable. Anything that challenges what we know is uncomfortable. Embrace it; discomfort is where the change is. Give this trip the opportunity to change you, or at least  for awhile, change your habits.  

I wish you all peace and good, and I will be praying for your safe return.

Best,

Danielle G.