So, you’ve arrived in Grahamstown...
When I first laid eyes on Grahamstown, I couldn’t believe it.
“Is this … it?” I asked my mom.
Coming from the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg, the small size and isolation of Grahamstown was hard to digest.
But it is by no means a simple town. Its energy is derived from the complex mish-mash of the residents. Inequality is glaringly obvious. Shining Audi A1s (some of which driven by students), roll past street beggars every day. Contradictions exist both on and off Rhodes campus.
For many students, their entire experience of Grahamstown will be confined to the comfort of campus, to Steers on High Street, and the Rat and Parrot on New Street. However, it does not mean your experience here will be anything less than illuminating, educational, and absurd.
Campus is small and easy to navigate, unless you live up on the hill. If that’s the case, be prepared to wake up earlier than your friends to make it to your lectures. Others may pity you and your daily trek, but know that you will develop buns of steel. Although, do be aware that the walk up is much longer, more blurry, and depressing if you are drunk. Many a student has been seen crawling their way home after a night out.
Rhodes is well known for its drinking culture, most likely because there’s not much else to do here.
Wednesday nights are dominated by 2-4-1 drinks specials at all, er, six clubs and Thursday mornings are characterised by reduced numbers at lectures and tutorials. In the afternoon, students hiding behind shades and smoking cigarettes gather around the Kaif for the all-important lecture “kaif-economics”. Students catch each other up on the politics of the night before: “Yah bru, I got so drunk last night I threw up on Friars dance floor.”
Ah, Friar Tuck’s. Colloquially known as Friars, it is possibly the most notorious of all the clubs here. It’s known for its perpetually sticky floor, repet- itive pop music, and general debauchery. Here, you will be in the territory of the “yah bru’s”, and witness the origins of those who have to crawl their way home. You may even find yourself the unwilling target of someone’s projectile vomit; and you will certainly stink of cigarette smoke for two days. Nobody will blame you should you wish to avoid it altogether.
It’s recommended that you don’t drink the Grahamstown tap water. It’s rather well known for its metallic taste and sometimes-brown colour, or for going missing. Should you be unable to get stream or bottled water, be prepared for rumours that more than four years of drinking tap water makes some people slightly mad! (I wouldn’t worry too much thought – we’re all already mad in our own way.)
Grahamstown can be difficult, fascinating, and moving all at once. Expect the unexpected, be prepared to be challenged in new ways, and most of all, keep an eye out for donkeys (and cows) crossing the road.