After a string of fair weather days, the rains have returned, and with Marnie off in Mayfair helping to prepare some Somali food in Sarah’s restaurant, it seemed a good opportunity to catch up on my writing.
Marnie and I have joined the Planet Fitness gym, a huge complex with all the amenities one would associate with the Lifestyle chain back home. Though we got a ridiculous deal given what an equivalent facility in the US would cost, South Africans have it even better. Jacqui informs us that through health care plans people here pay an initial fee to join a gym without any further dues, though one can drop additional cash on a personal trainer like Jacqui does. Marnie and I met with trainers for a free initial “fitness assessment” as part of our membership, which is essentially a sales pitch for that trainer’s services. Marnie’s trainer Kumi, while an otherwise nice guy, had a blunt appraisal of Marnie’s fitness. I might have made something of it had his biceps not been as big around as my head, which leads me to the crux of this post.
Criticizing someone’s appearance is more acceptable here than I am normally comfortable with, albeit it generally occurs behind their backs. Those of means care a great deal about how they look, and this is reflected in the amount of time and money spent on gyms, hair salons and fashionable clothing. Cosmetic surgery is relatively cheap, and apparently “surgery and safari” vacation packages are quite popular. Noticing that a number of the ladies frequenting this house seemed to have been genetically blessed in the chestal region, I was rather embarrassed when Marnie had told me that they had been “enhanced”. Perhaps I can purchase some peck implants and save myself some time in the gym.
Marnie and I have joined the Planet Fitness gym, a huge complex with all the amenities one would associate with the Lifestyle chain back home. Though we got a ridiculous deal given what an equivalent facility in the US would cost, South Africans have it even better. Jacqui informs us that through health care plans people here pay an initial fee to join a gym without any further dues, though one can drop additional cash on a personal trainer like Jacqui does. Marnie and I met with trainers for a free initial “fitness assessment” as part of our membership, which is essentially a sales pitch for that trainer’s services. Marnie’s trainer Kumi, while an otherwise nice guy, had a blunt appraisal of Marnie’s fitness. I might have made something of it had his biceps not been as big around as my head, which leads me to the crux of this post.
Criticizing someone’s appearance is more acceptable here than I am normally comfortable with, albeit it generally occurs behind their backs. Those of means care a great deal about how they look, and this is reflected in the amount of time and money spent on gyms, hair salons and fashionable clothing. Cosmetic surgery is relatively cheap, and apparently “surgery and safari” vacation packages are quite popular. Noticing that a number of the ladies frequenting this house seemed to have been genetically blessed in the chestal region, I was rather embarrassed when Marnie had told me that they had been “enhanced”. Perhaps I can purchase some peck implants and save myself some time in the gym.
"Chestal region". Really?????????????
ReplyDeleteIt is as good a word coinage as any. I myself prefer "boobage". Please do not come back to the states looking like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
Love, Mom & Dad