Where are the Americans?

My class at NYFA is like an episode of Community. All these misfits and foreigners who bonded in an extraordinarily small amount of time and stick together like a heard of buffalo; looking out for one another and doing everything together. It’s really great! We have the Ozzies (who could not be more different from one another), the sweet German girl (and former model), the mysterious Norwegian (formally in the military as well as a host of other secret operations), the South Africans (Joburg, Potchefstroom and Durban/Cape Town respectively), the older brother figure from Belgium (who’s like our class dad – always looking after us) as well as personalities from Kenya, India, South Korea, Trinidad and a former USSR country that I won’t even attempt to spell or pronounce. Oh and then we have the token American from Maryland who’s convince that we’re more similar to her than anyone she’s ever met in her life!

Monique, from Potch

 Our little group is fab… We plan dinners together, go on outings to plays and movies and we own the school cafeteria like a heard of elephants at a watering hole. I’m so lucky to have been blessed with so many extraordinary people who’ve fallen into my lap and feel so loved, cared for and appreciated in such a short period of time. We also have plenty of in-house jokes and the joy and laugher amongst us is continuous…

The funny thing is that since I’ve been in New York, I don’t seem to have hung out with many Americans! When I arrived, I was fortunate enough to be welcomed by my dear friend Hannes, who proceeded to introduce me to virtually every South African in New York City. I was also on the same flight to NY as one of my former res acquaintances, Bianca, who I’ve since become close to and tend to razzle with her, her Italian homies and our other South African friend, Cait (from UCT), on a fairly regular basis… In fact, the diversity in this city is not doing me many favours in terms of integrating myself into American society! Which is really Ok with me… For now…

Hannes, B and I on Sparkes's rooftop

The South Africans, celebrating Hannes into Juilliard!

We did have a particularly American experience the other night however, when we met some Americans at a gig at a place called Rockwood, who proceeded to take us dancing and then to play beer pong (with red cups and all) at one of their houses. WHAT FUN!

The South African girlies - Bianca, Cait & me :)

Saturday night was yet another infestation of South Africans at a friend’s house warming. It’s such a comfort to have a little network of people for common ground and support, which is something that one tends to take for granted until one is flung completely out of one’s comfort zone…

Me and Courts, my fellow South African from Jozi

The South African accent has never sounded so beautiful, melodious and gentle as it does in a land of shouting, swearing, singing, jabbering and chattering.

I’m sure I’ll get my American fix eventually, but for now I’m happy with my “international love…”