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Question of the Day: Which is the most hair-raising South African mountain pass you've driven?
Geographic Origin
- Thread starter HavocXphere
- Start date
Grant
Honorary Master
Somewhat off topic - I am sometimes asked where am I from sometimes saying I have an unusual accent.
I find it difficult to answer.
I was born in new york (parents were on holiday - I was somewhat premature) I have no family or connection to the usa other than place of birth.
As a tot we lived in cape town for a few years - about 5.
We then moved to hong kong lived there for about 5yrs.
After that, we moved to durban, was there for 2 yrs & then moved to Mauritius.
After 2yrs there I was shipped back to KZN to boarding school.
After school I had to do the army thing.
Then back to KZN (family had moved back) & studied.
After studying I moved to JHB for a couple of years.
Then I moved to cape town.
To add to the confusion, my father is from england & mother from italy (both born in their respective countries).
Then my accent. In the past I worked for an american organization for many many years, I certainly have not picked up a yankee twang but sometimes pronounce words in an american way. Foreigners I meet in south africa think I have a british accent (probably as a result of school).
Although I can speak afrikaans, afrikaans speaking people think my accent is hysterical, even though the words and structure of sentences may be correct, I am unable to pronounce the words in an appropriately afrikaans manner - just sounds so wrong, so I avoid it like the plague !
But the question remains : where am I from ?
I find it difficult to answer.
I was born in new york (parents were on holiday - I was somewhat premature) I have no family or connection to the usa other than place of birth.
As a tot we lived in cape town for a few years - about 5.
We then moved to hong kong lived there for about 5yrs.
After that, we moved to durban, was there for 2 yrs & then moved to Mauritius.
After 2yrs there I was shipped back to KZN to boarding school.
After school I had to do the army thing.
Then back to KZN (family had moved back) & studied.
After studying I moved to JHB for a couple of years.
Then I moved to cape town.
To add to the confusion, my father is from england & mother from italy (both born in their respective countries).
Then my accent. In the past I worked for an american organization for many many years, I certainly have not picked up a yankee twang but sometimes pronounce words in an american way. Foreigners I meet in south africa think I have a british accent (probably as a result of school).
Although I can speak afrikaans, afrikaans speaking people think my accent is hysterical, even though the words and structure of sentences may be correct, I am unable to pronounce the words in an appropriately afrikaans manner - just sounds so wrong, so I avoid it like the plague !
But the question remains : where am I from ?
Mars?
Well by the sound of it you have quadruple ciizenship! (British and Italian by descent, American by birth, SA by naturalization?) So you can travel/live almost anywhere you want. Lucky you!
I'm a New Yorker… there's a difference.
I lived in New York for a few months, and there really is no city like it ... superb public transit, can't walk a block without stepping in culture (Broadway musicals, food from all around the world, Central Park). And then you go back to the tiny apartment you pay $2000/month for!
When I was only 11-years old I stood in front of South Africa House in London and even at that young age felt fiercely patriotic. Would I feel the same way if I stood there now? Hmmm? Not so sure.
For now though, I am glad to say that I still love where I was born, Transvaal
Oh, my answer to the question asked by the OP: No.
For now though, I am glad to say that I still love where I was born, Transvaal
Oh, my answer to the question asked by the OP: No.
Last edited:
biometrics
Honorary Master
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Possibly German, so no.
Why is it that a lot of Portuguese shops take cash only? Do they have bank accounts at all?Not really, I'm a Lusophone, although my father was originally from Portugal.
So many porras living here, it's difficult to imagine missing any roots.
Every now and then I visit the country of my birth, which is right next door.
kooldude
Expert Member
You could say the same thing with Chinese shops, Pakistani shops. I some times wonder if these guys pay any tax.
Banks charge a percentage of the sale price for card transactions. Charging cash keeps the prices down I guess.
HavocXphere
Honorary Master
In some parts of Europe tax evasion is considered a national sport (Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal etc)
Apparently you don't know how stingy porras can be. Have you ever met one with cash flow problems?
That's what I'm wondering about.
Cius
Honorary Master
Nope. I was born here even if my mom and dad where not and SA is now my home.