going to Africa... what's good

[fontaine]

nt famb.

I've taken a step back from posting as much so sorry I haven't been on as much (especially to the TAY famb)

I'm taking a trip to Africa with my dad in a couple months. we're flying to Johannesburg, South Africa. my uncle is getting married.

questions is what's good out there?

how will I be treated amongst the locals? I'm a 24 y/o american black dude.

what's good with the yambs?

currency conversion... will I be spending a bunch of ducketts?

my uncle is in some African ceremony that starts with an L... any idea?

how should I dress?

Johannesburg , from what I've searched, is the most developed economy in Africa. I want to be able to enjoy it as much as possible.

also, my uncle designs power plants... he says he will introduce me to some private equity big wigs that he's dealt with. any particular business etiquette I should be aware of?

not expecting a ton of responses, but any nugget about the motherland would help.

thanks.

 

[solecity]

High HIV rate in South Africa, stay away from the Yambs.

Besides that don't know too much about the country in terms of amenities, but just be careful and enjoy the time.

 

[isnx2]

nt famb.

I've taken a step back from posting as much so sorry I haven't been on as much (especially to the TAY famb)

 

[arturzeee]

Be careful out there. My friend was trying to stay out there for 6-8 months, but ended up getting malaria so he had to leave after about 2 months. You should be cool though because your going to South Africa.

 

[tego calderon el abayarde]

Paging @eiddyfouw

 

[sneakaprince]

Currently in Nigeria (Lagos at the moment but will be going back to Abuja in about a week). Staying here til July at least.

I'm not as familiar with SA so I can only speak on my experiences here in Naija.

I'm kinda in a different situation than you OP because I'm a 25 year male of Nigerian decent, although I was raised by my African American mother and had very little experience with Nigerian culture in general until I was in my 20s. Most ppl in general would probably consider me a black American until I tell them my family history and my tribal name.

Nigeria I'm general is an English speaking country although Most ppl speak broken English or Pidgin throughout the day. It can be hard to understand at times but if u pay attention you will pick it up.

Nigerian foods in general are good but can be repetitive. There are always fast food options especially in the more developed cities like lagos and Abuja but they can be costly. I paid the equivalent of 10 US dollars for 4 pieces of chicken with no sides from KFC last week and was pissed.

As a black American in general trust me when I say that the yambs are too easy out here but you def better stay strapped and even then pray while u got the helmet on. A lot of Nigerian chick's in general is looking for money so when they hear that accent they will assume your an easy lick. Many will pretty much do whatever you want if they think there's money to be had. Be careful tho some chick's are literal prostitutes and won't tell u.

Culturally Nigeria in general is very different from the states. Don't sweat the etiquette too much because your almost guaranteed to get certain stuff wrong. Ppl will know ur not from there and will usually give u a pass. Just stay outta the way of officers or military personnel. Those dudes are often above the law and don't care where your from.

Random but in Nigeria only soldiers etc are allowed to wear camo shirts or pants so be careful with stuff like that. Soldiers will literally beat u here for wearing camo printed items.


Nigeria in general can be wild. They still have issues with electricity even in major cities. The power is usually rationed out throughout the day so everyone goes a couple hrs everyday without power. You may wanna buy a power bank if u depend on your phone or tablet alot.

I love Nigeria in general. It's a mostly lawless country that is just plugged with corruption and poverty. You can actually the wealth I the air it's just sad that most ppl will never get a chance to touch it.

Other than that pack for summer and just enjoy your trip OP. Africa in general is a beautiful place. Make the most of your time here. Club, drink and just enjoy life.

 

[Deleted member 38307]

.

 

[peabrain]

Currently in Nigeria (Lagos at the moment but will be going back to Abuja in about a week). Staying here til July at least.

I'm not as familiar with SA so I can only speak on my experiences here in Naija.

I'm kinda in a different situation than you OP because I'm a 25 year male of Nigerian decent, although I was raised by my African American mother and had very little experience with Nigerian culture in general until I was in my 20s. Most ppl in general would probably consider me a black American until I tell them my family history and my tribal name.

Nigeria I'm general is an English speaking country although Most ppl speak broken English or Pidgin throughout the day. It can be hard to understand at times but if u pay attention you will pick it up.

Nigerian foods in general are good but can be repetitive. There are always fast food options especially in the more developed cities like lagos and Abuja but they can be costly. I paid the equivalent of 10 US dollars for 4 pieces of chicken with no sides from KFC last week and was pissed.

As a black American in general trust me when I say that the yambs are too easy out here but you def better stay strapped and even then pray while u got the helmet on. A lot of Nigerian chick's in general is looking for money so when they hear that accent they will assume your an easy lick. Many will pretty much do whatever you want if they think there's money to be had. Be careful tho some chick's are literal prostitutes and won't tell u.

Culturally Nigeria in general is very different from the states. Don't sweat the etiquette too much because your almost guaranteed to get certain stuff wrong. Ppl will know ur not from there and will usually give u a pass. Just stay outta the way of officers or military personnel. Those dudes are often above the law and don't care where your from.

Random but in Nigeria only soldiers etc are allowed to wear camo shirts or pants so be careful with stuff like that. Soldiers will literally beat u here for wearing camo printed items.


Nigeria in general can be wild. They still have issues with electricity even in major cities. The power is usually rationed out throughout the day so everyone goes a couple hrs everyday without power. You may wanna buy a power bank if u depend on your phone or tablet alot.

I love Nigeria in general. It's a mostly lawless country that is just plugged with corruption and poverty. You can actually the wealth I the air it's just sad that most ppl will never get a chance to touch it.

Other than that pack for summer and just enjoy your trip OP. Africa in general is a beautiful place. Make the most of your time here. Club, drink and just enjoy life.

In general your post was very helpful

 

[akajae]

^

[COLOR=#red]@SneakaPrince[/COLOR]

in general, why are you in Nigeria? Just visiting?

 

[sneakaprince]

No prob... I'd encourage any NTer to visit Africa in general. It's a beautiful continent with lots to offer.

This is my second trip here but by far the longest I've ever been outta the states. Trust me when I say everyone should travel during their 20s it's a life changing experience

 

[sneakaprince]

^

[COLOR=#red]@SneakaPrince[/COLOR]

in general, why are you in Nigeria? Just visiting?

Nigerians are required to do a year of service if they graduate from college before the age of 30. I have dual citizen ship but may eventually move here long term.

If u don't complete your service it can hold you back from a lot of positions in the country. I also had the time to make that move before going back to grad school. I worked for a while. Saved some good money and plotted out how I wanted to spend the next couple years.

Using my experiences here as a resume booster in hopes that I will one day get an international position. My family made some decent moves for me and got me a good placement for my place of service so I've been able to enjoy my time here.

Also using the experience to network. Like I said in my original post, you can literally feel the money in the air when your here. My first week here I randomly met a ministers daughter who invited me over for her bday party. I got to her house saw a couple ranges, a rolls Royce, some crazy beamers and a Benz. They even had an armed guard patrolling the area. If be crazy not to try rubbing elbows with the elite whether it be here or in the states...

 

[the 7th mile]

Going to Africa yambs would be the last thing on my mind I would be busy taking in everything else

 

[thealumnus]

I can't speak on J Berg but I visited Capetown a year ago. Beautiful place. Did all the touristy things such as visiting robben's island, district 6, cape peninsula.. Regardless of how you dress or look you will stick out , so just dress for the weather. It can get a little cold there at times ( it has snowed in recent years there during winter) . Speaking of Seasons seems obvious but they are in the southern hemisphere so just remember our summer is their winter and vice versa. People in capetown were extremely chill. The food was amazing, especially at many of the hole in the wall spots i visited. South Africa uses the Zar aka the rand . When i was there 8 rand= 1 dollar. I hate steak and lobster at one of the waterfront restaurants with a bottle of wine and my bill was only $15 . Easily affordable. All things considered you should have a great time there. Treat it with respect just as you would any major city and you will be fine. All in all sounds as though you have a great experience ahead of you.

 

[Coromanti]

High HIV rate in South Africa, stay away from the Yambs.

Besides that don't know too much about the country in terms of amenities, but just be careful and enjoy the time.

South Africa isn't some backwards banana republic so any modern convenience you can find in the states, you'll find there.

SoLe is right about the yambs though.  It's just not worth the risk.

 

[nazdrowie]

currency conversion... will I be spending a bunch of ducketts?

 

currently...
[h1]US Dollar to South African Rand[/h1]
1.00 USD =10.740324 ZAR

Feb 25, 2014 11:34 UTC

 

[fontaine]

sneakaprince awesome post, kinfoe. that was very informative.

I'm hoping that I have a good time... I'm out there from Thursday morning to Monday night.

the ticket is only $1200 and with my uncle being out there, I plan to take more visits.

when it comes to the people, I hope things will go smoothly. like you, I was born and raised in the African American culture.

I know that there's money over there. the African people that come to the states tend to be from wealthy families. with the nutrients, resources, and land, I'm sure the money can get to flowing if positioned correctly.

when it comes to the yambs, I'm not really stressing on it. I know there's diseases there, and I have to be super careful. thanks for the tidbit on the chicks selling yambs.

I won't lie and say I'm not gonna try and snatch an African biddie with that motherland booty though. *shrugs*


thealumnus that's what's up man. cape town is probably the best gauge since its proximity to Johannesburg. my uncle says he got me on all the hotels and stuff... but I'm trying to hit the clubs, cop some stuff from stores, and maybe buy a prepaid card for my cell phone.

I hope things go smooth and I have some fun...

isnx2 are you laughing because I'm the leader of the Redundancy Department of Redundancy?

or because I shouted out the TAY famb?

 

[mr marcus]

I deal with a lot of Africans through my girl and to be honest they'll treat you good as long as you're respectful. Most Africans think young African American males are disrespectful so if you don't fit that stereotype you're good.

Her fam want me to come to Sierra Leone with them but I'm not about that plane life. It's a real fear

Edit: also the old heads respect you if you take interest in their culture. my interest is always genuine but I picked up on how talkative they get when you ask questions

 

[sneakaprince]

^

[COLOR=#red]@SneakaPrince[/COLOR]

in general, why are you in Nigeria? Just visiting?

I just realized what u did there. I have no idea why I typed in general so many times this morning it was mad early lol...

 

[Hank Scorpio]

Stay away from the women in South Africa. That place has an extremely high HIV positive rate amongst it's civilians.

I can't lie though, the white women out there are

The whole racism thing is out there too.

Here's something for all you visual-based learners out there:

View media item 824691

 

[calypso chanta]

don't let them call you "boy"

 

[akajae]

^

[COLOR=#red]@SneakaPrince[/COLOR]

in general, why are you in Nigeria? Just visiting?

I just realized what u did there. I have no idea why I typed in general so many times this morning it was mad early lol...

just messing with you man

good post up there tho.

 

[fontaine]

Stay away from the women in South Africa. That place has an extremely high HIV positive rate amongst it's civilians.

I can't lie though, the white women out there are

The whole racism thing is out there too.

Here's something for all you visual-based learners out there:

View media item 824691

that makes me sad.

partly because I know a lot of those people are just wring place wrong time...

but also because I wanted to lay some African yambs.

**** that, though. I'm scared to even get some wop.

anyone else got some info?

 

[Nouss]

Yo rick, bring some rubbers from the US and act like you would in any major US city. I've smashed hella chicks in the motherland, never had no problems.

 

[drones]

I hear they got good loud in South Africa.

 

[solexsup]

I hear they got good loud in South Africa.

Aren't drug laws crazy out there?