Moving from South Africa to America: Our Life in Eight Bags.
We knew we were moving from South Africa to America, but we didn’t know when or where we’d begin our new life. Then our tickets arrived, and we had six days to pack.
South Africa → Washington
Life after
the leap.
Our family’s journey from South Africa to America—the food we brought with us, the new traditions we’re learning, and the ordinary moments that slowly make somewhere new feel like home.
Explore
There’s a little bit of everything here.
01
From our kitchen
The recipes we brought with us, the American ones we’re discovering, and everything we’re adapting in between.
02
Life in America
Grocery-store discoveries, schools, changing seasons and all the little differences that still make us stop and say, “Wait… what?”
03
Our journey
Starting again, finding our feet, building a home, making friends and discovering what happens after one very big leap.
Free recipe booklet
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Stories from our life lately.
The latest recipes, stories and discoveries from our little corner of Washington.
We’re Keeping Our Roots—But We’re Building an American Life
We're still Afrikaans-speaking, braai-loving South Africans. We're also building an American life—and we don't think those things have to compete.
The Little Things That Made America Start Feeling Like Home
Home didn't happen all at once. It happened through school routines, dinners together, new friendships and even trying to grow grass.
Learning to Drive in America When Everything Is on the Wrong Side
Driving on the other side of the road sounded simple enough until muscle memory got involved.
South African Schools vs. American Schools: What Surprised Us
From yellow school buses to guidance counselors and changing classrooms, American school has been one of the biggest adjustments for our family.
Our First American Grocery Trip Was an Experience
Our first American grocery trips involved cinnamon rolls in tubes, an unreasonable amount of cheese, and one very unfortunate attempt at making pap.
From our kitchen
Some things taste like home.
Food is probably the easiest part of a culture to carry with you. We still cook the meals we grew up with, while learning where to find familiar ingredients and figuring out what works as a substitute.
And we’re doing the opposite too—trying American foods we’ve heard about for years and discovering which ones are earning a permanent place at our table.
Because apparently biscuits do belong under sausage gravy. Who knew?
Old traditions · New traditions
We’re keeping the pieces of home that matter while making room for everything still ahead.
There are things we’ll always carry with us: Afrikaans around the house, the food we grew up eating, a proper braai, our faith and the values we’re raising our children with. But we didn’t move across the world expecting everything to stay the same.