I'm waiting to cross the street.

Vertically opposite from where I'm standing, a group of local boys are waiting to cross. They are all staring at me and whispering. Then they wave with amused grins on their faces. This never happens to anyone back at home. I feel embarassed and want to laugh all at the same time because I am a novelty in this South African set. I give them half a wave and look away.

Then the light changes and we cross, too far away to ever initiate conversation or exchange cultural understanding.

PS. I'm having a bit of China deja vu. There, I was surrounded by Koeans and I felt like I was in Korea. Now, I'm surrounded by Germans and I'm in Germany instead.