I think most of us like to think that we are enlightened folks that are above the prejudices of ordinary people -- oh you know, other people. Sometimes it takes an event to tear this illusion apart.
I needed a place to spend the night in Bloemfontein. I could either seek out a hostel or try out coach surfing; Couch surfing is the idea of staying in the home of a perfect stranger. I looked into it and found a couple of possibilities. I contacted one and he wasn't going to be around. That left a Muslim guy who had a couple of good reviews, but also had a profile that celebrated trips to Pakistan and Afghanistan. This of course immediately brought to my mind Islamic fundamentalists and their not so fond view of Americans. What to do...
I agonized over the decision and put it off. As the World Cup went on, he got more and more great reviews. It was reassuring to see a review of an Israeli holding a Jewish flag. Embarrassed by my blatant stereotype, I realized I needed to trust in his hospitality.
And you know what, it went really well! I arrived late around 10:30 pm, but yet he and the owner of the house (he rented from her) stayed up and had tea with me. The next morning they both got up early and prepared a breakfast for me before I headed out. They told me about places to stop on my long drive to Cape Town. They were both so hospitable to me and I stood humbled in my bigotry -- no longer enlightened.
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