It is very inspiring to learn about the hardships and beauty of living in Africa. I know many of the poorest people would never trade living there for anything.

Once I was hired to be a groomsman for an African wedding here in the states. It was a culture shock for me, but I felt very lucky to be invited as one of their own. There was two of us light skinned groomsmen hired to match the many lovely dark skinned bridesmaid sisters. All of the African men and women were authentic and pure, without any disrespectful speech to anyone. One was telling me about Johannesburg where is family grew peaches. They sold the best ones and ate the bruised and broken ones that will not sell. The reception had many speeches and ceremonial gifts of fabrics, clothing, and valued goods used in trade. I tried to wriggle out of not dancing, but the bridesmaid I was paired with insisted, and we did something a bit like a conga line into a dance circle. I think this must have been a very large family that had saved up riches all their lives to celebrate this wedding.

Anyway, African culture always awakens these memories for me, and I wanted to share back. Thanks.