Sunburned from too much Fun!

Well the trip to Durban was a success I would say. The hotel was gorgeous! We stayed at the Fairmont a little outside of Durban. The grounds around the hotel were incredible! The beach was about a 15 minute walk/hike on a trail, which I do not recommend doing at night. It was like we were in a horror movie. However once we reached the pool, it was worth it. Down on the beach there was an amazing infinity pool, where we spent most of time the next day, lounging at and drinking pina coladas. Virgin of course. The hotel outside was amazing, however it was not all as glorious as the pools. We had 11 people in one room. 11! So I think it is safe to say we did not get much sleep that night. Also I being as fair skinned as I am, went home with a mean sunburn. When I say mean I mean, really really bad. I had a red beard on my face! It was so embarrassing. I put sunblock on, I swear I did. The African sun is just more intense I believe. Despite those little glitches, it was a blast for us zulu students.

When we returned home back to A.E. the next day, we didn’t have much time to rest from our little excursion. The next morning, on Friday, we departed for our battlefields tour. 5 hours plus of driving and stopping along the way to stop and look at battlefields of historic battles in South Africa. From reading this im sure you can tell it was not one of the best field trips we have had so far. It actually was really fun though, the hotel part anyways. The hotel was adorable! It had the cutest rooms and the best meals! Every room was different and so comfortable. The food was incredible! Those who know me know I am not much of a soup person, however they served us this butternut squash soup that was to die for. Im in love with it.

Our guide was a 75 year man named Tony Jones. He was a character to say the least. He lives and breathes battlefields. He was sweet most of the time. However it was hot when we were at some of the battlefields. This cause a few of us students to yawn. Tony did not like this. He yelled at everyone who yawned. Things such as “Hey! Tonsil king”. It miffed us all a little. But he was nice, just old like he said haha.

I do think the weekend would have been much better if my skin were not on fire. But all together it was a nice trip completed with nice food. It was great to get off campus.

To end the weekend we had SUNDAY FUNDAY! And boy was it fun! We had a slipping slide witch I don’t think any of us have been on since we were tots. It was so much fun! We slipped and slided for hours! We then had chalet competitions! Each chalet had a certain color and we did a rely race. The Mojo’s(thats us) were purple! And we totally rocked it. First, a team member ate a spoonful of salt and ran across the lawn and downed a water bottle, (this is the task that I was given, let me tell you that even though I love salt, I realized I only like it on my food, it was really gross.) then once I returned from the nasty salt water race, two more members did a wheelbarrow across the whole lawn, just looking at them hurt my muscles. This was done by jamie and hilary. Then when they got back two other mojo’s did a three legged race across the lawn and back, this was done by our graceful dancers, delaney and alyssa. Then when they returned carisa dug her face in whipped cream and found 6 mints. Then 5 mojo’s passed an apple with their necks, then one member ate around the apple and ran back and forth across the lawn. This was done by angie, delaney,hilary, jamie, and kristin. We came in 3rd place! Which is really good because 1st and 2nd place were taken by the 2 boy chalets. So really, we came in 1st right! Yay for Mojelefa!!! We will continue to rock the competition each week, im sure.

Well the monkeys I am sad to say have been naughty. They seem to have multiplied over night. They have been running wild around campus and breaking into rooms. I myself had a horrifying encounter with the furry creatures. I was walking back from the dining hall on Sunday, returning from fetching my morning coffee and I broke down and had a muffin. Well, while I was walking down the steps, a monkey just ran up to my feet and looked up at me. Unfortunately there was no one outside, so it was just me and this vicious monkey. He was right at my feet staring up at me with beady little eyes. I knew exactly what he wanted from me. One thing and one thing only. My muffin. I didn’t want to part with it, but I knew it was my only escape tool. So I unwillingly through my muffin to the side of the path. The little punk ran right for it, followed by 3 or 4 other of its minions who were waiting for the baked good as well. While they were chowing down I ran for the nearest chalet. Those buggers make it scary just to walk 10 feet outside sometimes. But something I have realized this week is that I can take off my flip flop and act like im going to throw it and they usually run. Or just go for the pepper spray. Both have worked effectively so far, and I pray that they continue to do so without hissing.

I wish we could all get along. The monkeys and the humans. It is so sad that it has come to pepper spray and paintball guns.

Well I am in class right now so I should get back to being a good student. I love the teacher! He is so awesome and smart. He sounds just like rafiki! If you close your eyes you can almost hear rafiki singing “Asante sana Squash banana, Wiwi nugu Mi mi apana.”

Love you all!
-Dani :)