Getting used to things

Coming to a foreign country always creates some issues with daily life. This includes the time change (South Africa is 6 hours later than New York) but more difficult has been just walking and crossing the street. In South Africa they drive on the opposite side of the road and thus when you walk on the sidewalk you have to do the same.  I tend to always get caught on the wrong side of the sidewalk thus having to duck and dive the oncoming walkers. In addition crossing the street can be an experience as you look one way and traffic is coming at you from the other direction just as you step off the curb. It was recommended to me to listen to your mom and look both ways before crossing the street.
     Another challenge is getting used to the currency. The Rand (R) has a very favorable exchange rate
($1 equals approximately R10) and most things are cheaper than in the states. Seeing something cost R2500 can blow your mind until you realize its only $25.
  Food is my favorite (never a challenge) and Cape Town has a full variety of all foods. The city has a very diverse population plus it is very European. Indian, Argentina, Thai, various types of meat like venison and ostrich as well as chicken and alligator.  Some traditional South African dishes like Bobotie (pronounced "bobootee") which is minced meat (could be a mix of venison, beef, ostrich, etc).  It is served in a crepe or just with a starch. The starches and vegetables include mashed pumpkin, mashed squash, rice, and varieties of fresh vegetables and fruits. Also fish of all varieties or available as well as oxtail soup and potages.
   Language is of course a challenge in any country but in South Africa it is even more challenging as there are 11 official languages. The most used in Cape Town are English, Afrikaan and Xhosa.  In Johanessburg its English, Afrikaan and Zulu. Most all of the population speaks two if not three or four languages interchanging between them quite easily.