Saturday 10th June 2023
I know I've mentioned this before but it struck me again how unusual it is for everyone around me to be speaking like me. Growing up in an expat community of a lot of British immigrants in South Africa, there was often a Scots brogue in the neighbourhood, but it was a known person doing the talking. After moving to the larger city of Johannesburg when I left school, the occurrence became rare and on hearing an accent, I would immediately check to see who it was.
Today, sitting on the bus I realised that I don’t sound unusual or foreign.
I fit in.
Nobody knows that I don't have the schooling or history of this country. I'm just 'one of theim'. It was comforting in a strange way, even if I was struggling to understand the slang again.
The sun got me on the bus to town fairly early but I realised that I recognised the streets from my life here as a 21 year old flashing by, so I got off the bus. I like it when I start my day with a vague notion of an idea then it switches into something of more substance. I remembered the bridges of the River Clyde and that I didn't get round to walking them all on foot last year so that became my focus for the fine weather.
I walked about 9km traversing the pedestrian bridges, along the riverside path. I stopped by a stunning cathedral and got quiet for a moment, before heading back into the sun. Sunbathers, runners, party goers, tourists, cyclists and families all enjoying this extra stretch of sunshine. I even had to rest in the shade!!
My feet began to really ache and I felt the blisters of yesterday's trail boots so I decided to turn back and find a bus on the way back. As the passengers boarded, I smiled thinking, these are 'my people' and it was a really strange feeling. Aye.
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