There was no sign of herself when I rose from by bed at 10 last Saturday morning. She sent a message to the family group chat saying that she was gone in to the Trinity Open Day with her friend E. They had an interesting enough morning. She was shocked how many people were there with their parents. I felt a bit bad that not only did I not accompany her but I didn’t even know she was going. She on the other hand was delighted not to have me there.
She discovered that she could get €2,000 off accommodation, if she stayed in an Irish speaking student residence in Rathmines. She would still have to pay the balance and be further away than if she stayed at home but I think she was gratified to discover that membership has its privileges. Trinity apparently has an exchange arrangement with Stellenbosch and she is keen to go with the money we will save from having her live at home while she’s in college. As there are quite a few hurdles between her and operation Stellenbosch, I decided to let that go but my reservations were in no way addressed when Mr. Waffle said, “Quite dangerous, no?”
There were a couple of lectures on various subjects and since her friend E is keen to study law, they attended that one. There was an enormous queue and the students on the door announced that it was only open to school children as there wasn’t room for all the parents. A [very old – probably about my age] woman did not move from the queue. When she got to the top and the student at the door asked her not to go in, she was very cross and said that she was a mature student. This misfortunate student at the door apologised and berated himself saying, “I am so sorry, we should be more inclusive.” Aren’t the young people lovely all the same?
Herself ended up sitting beside this woman and her daughter. It became abundantly apparent that the mother was not, in fact, a mature student but a pushy mother. Herself was outraged. The lecturer said, “I’m sure some of you are the first people from your families thinking about going to college.” Pushy mother was heard to hiss audibly, “No one in this audience, I’m sure.” As it happens, the Princess’s friend E, sitting two seats away from pushy mother will be the first person in her family to go to college. I say will with complete confidence as she is clever and organised; found out about the college open day herself; and dragged my daughter out of bed to attend.
Anyhow, the welcome upshot of this is that my daughter now believes that I may not, in fact, be the worst mother in the world.
🙂 to all of the above!
Stellenbosch and the surrounding area are beautiful, lots wine farms ( vineyards to us) rolling hills and mountains. It is one of my favourite places, especially if you throw in Cape Town and the surrounding areas. South Africa is dangerous, particularly if you are not attuned to the way life works there. The civilised and the uncivilised live cheek by jowl. The best thing to do is to look around and do what the locals do. Just because you are a modern person who thinks racism is abhorrent does not mean that you have to be aware that there are different rules in play and you need to do what the locals advise. Having said that I used to go to some very dodgy areas of Johannesburg for work and did not have any problems, but I was with locals and did what I was told. I could give more practical advice but I would probably be arrested or banned for life! What people say and what actually happens are two very different things in that part of the world.
LJ, I imagine you are in a position to know…
Charles, we may be back to you for advice in due course.
If you need any help let me know.
In all seriousness RSA is beautiful but it is a bit different to what people are used to in Europe.
Thank you, Charles, that’s very kind. Early days yet, she has another 18 months in school…