Rando South African Observations
So, we often have a couple of observations about a place that don’t really fit into a storyline that makes a post. South Africa is no different, but this time I feel like sharing. I care, after all.
South African MBA
First off, South African businesses have got their game together with naming. Like no punches pulled, pugilistic branding mastery. I noted a few down and list them here for your enjoyment:
The Athletes Foot - A shoe store
The Sweat Shop - Athletic equipment store
Wet Dreams - Surf shop
Casa Labia - Err, hotel…I think.
Tears - Animal rescue
Barking Mad - Kennel
Lam It All - Laminating and printing
You are welcome.
On Dookie
Next up, we have poo. Not because it featured especially prominently in our time in South Africa, but because I have one mediocre story, and one amazing picture…of poop. But don’t be dissuaded by grossness - keep reading.
This is not the amazing picture, no. This is but a tribute.
Long ago, when travelling to a conference, I met a guy from South Korea, who introduced me to a new term while we were eating some remarkably spicy Japanese noodles.
“Ah, this will mean BBS tomorrow,” he said.
“Ummmm, huh? What is BBS?” I asked.
“Butt Burning Sensation,” he replied through noodle slurps and a snotty nose.
Fast forward to South Africa, where we are ordering Durban Curry or “Bunny Chow”, a variety of curry that is served in a unique bowl (as Em posted before, the bowl is half a loaf of white bread). The proprietor asked how hot we’d like it and we said hot, but not very hot, in that ridiculous way that people have no way of communicating how hot they want their food. Would that be one chili emoji or two? Very precise. As she walked off she said, “Well, yes. We wouldn’t want you putting the toilet paper in the freezer.” Perfect.
Now for the coup de grace, we stumbled on this while walking the Outeniqua trail:
Leopard poop
Look closely, ‘cause that is poop, but in that poop are…porcupine spines! PORCUPINE! How desperately hungry do you have to be to eat a porcupine, like, whole!?!? Waaaay worse than limpets. The ultimate BBS. Needless to say, I was more vigilant on the rest of the trail. After all, children are easy pickings compared to a porcupine.
