Gotta have my Chucks...

Converse All-Stars. Chuck Taylors. They are the iconic American shoe. Something we developed in the 20s or 30s and have kept looking the same classic style ever since. They've made appearances in several films, from Sandlot to Grease. It's fairly common for people to have them in the U.S., although I wouldn't say that everybody has a pair - maybe 50%.

In Botswana, that number is more like 85%, if not higher.

Chucks are super-popular here, and everyone seems to have a pair. In general, they cost more here than they do in the states. I've seen them go for around P300, or $45, and more, for just the plain classics with nothing special about them. Crazy! But as with the instance of the ethernet chord I got for P10 when everyone else paid P80+, you really just have to shop around and get lucky. I was at Main Mall and found a pair of burgundy hi-tops in my size only for P70 - just over $10. Best buy ever. I splurged, and now I have my first pair of real Chuck Taylors, and I wear them with pride with every other Motswana here. I've even been complimented on them.

Fashion is interesting here. It's a strange combination of meetings between African, American, Indian, and European styles. A lot of outfits you see people wearing have a bit of distinctly African flair, and there are certain brands (Ama Kip Kip!) that are specifically African, but you can see a lot of American influence in styles as well (need I repeat my epithet on Chucks?). And then there are the styles that perhaps existed in America at one point, but certainly aren't there now, but people are rockin' over here. Example: the girl I saw wearing boy-cut, semi-skinny jeans that had that bleach/acid stain pattern that was popular for awhile in middle school. But she was rockin' those jeans. No girls wear plain tshirts here - it's all fitted, and often fancy or stamped with some saying or other (some of which are funny to me, like "skate 'til you die"). I tried to fit in for awhile, but on the day when I ran out of fitted shirts I slipped on that baggy tee and blue jeans and I decided that I can't be dressing up all the time because it's just too uncomfortable for me. I love wearing t-shirts and jeans. And the Chucks, of course, are an added bonus.

So that's my little bit on fashion. I just thought I'd reflect on that a bit. I am now a member of poetry reading session, University choir, and possibly the History Society. We'll see how things go. No big plans this weekend, just hanging out, going to the movies, baking brownies, and writing my first paper of the semester. Should be good.

Until next time!

~Jaclynn