Sizing Things Up!

Ally's neighbor, Grace, is also vactioning in Cape Town right now! Grace is a 29-year old Tanzanian who works in Kampala with the UN's High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). She's a lot of fun, and we all met out for a yummy dinner a few nights ago.

Among other topics, we discussed female body image in Africa. She was telling us the Western obsession with breasts is completely lost on Africans, and that they think it's absurd that women have their breasts surgically enlarged. She said the worst, most insulting thing you can say about a woman's body is calling her a "figure 9" -- large on top, stratight and small on the way down. That's the WORST insult you could say about a woman's body!

The best body shape is called the "figure 6," and it's just the opposite -- small on top, and curvy & big on the bottom. Butts are everything, she said. In Tanzania, they even sell padded panties for ladies looking to enhance their bottoms! I guess they think our padded bras are just as funny!

Yes, Grace also had funny Angelina Jolie stories, as Angelina does her UN volunteer work with UNHCR. Interestingly, when I asked if Angelina's beauty translates in Africa, she said "No." Angelina is far too skinny and pale and odd looking. She said Beyonce is the ideal U.S. celebrity -- a perfect figure 6!

Mere