One thing I have learned during my time here in Africa is to plan on things not going according to the plan. My week long trip to Lesotho was a confirmation of this. With Erik, a Swedish guy I have known since February, Mary, another CA girl who goes to school in Monterey, and her friend Josh, who flew out for the week, we rented a car and drove the first day to Lady Grey, South Africa, a few hours drive from the border of Lesotho where we entered at Telle Bridge. We might have been able to make it all [View Full Entry]

---

---

The last few weeks have gone by too fast for me to keep track of. My fourth term break starts tomorrow, ends on 5 October, starting four more weeks of the term, followed by three weeks of final exams. My last final is 24 November so I am trying to change my flight to make it home in time for Thanksgiving, even though I really don't even like turkey that much... For the break I am planning a week long road trip with Mary, another girl from California, Erik, a swedish guy I have lived with all year, and Josh, one [View Full Entry]

---

---

BBC News: Africa had a photo essay about the minibus taxis that a lot of people use in South Africa. I thought it would be interesting to share with everyone because even I learned some things from the captions. Riding the minibuses is definitely a subculture in itself. At first, it was somewhat intimidating, but now it is just part of my daily routine. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8225509.stm I have been somewhat busy with school work this term. We have a 2 week vacation coming up soon, but I have a feeling I will be spending that time just relaxing on the beach across [View Full Entry]

---

---

Just finishing up my second week of school. This semester I am taking Xhosa 113 and 114, Sociology of Development, Contemporary Labor Studies, Women in Africa, Crime and Society, and Philosophical Critique of Culture: Power. I figured I should update and post pictures before I get too busy with studies. I arrived back in Port Elizabeth on the 13th of July. After Warner Beach we stayed at Umzumbe and Port St. Johns. Unfortunately we did not get to stay at Coffee Bay, Chintsa, or Hogsback, but I figured I will be here until November and will hopefully have time to see [View Full Entry]

---

---

I am spending 4th of July in Warner Beach outside of Durban. The weather isn't so nice right now but it is only about 9 am so I might borrow one of the backpacker's free surfboards later in the afternoon. I tried looking for fireworks but I don't think they sell them so freely here. At least not legally. Our first day at St. Lucia I woke up at 6:45 am to go kayaking in the river. Angelique and I shared a kayak and I think we got the hang of it by the end of the two hour trip. We [View Full Entry]

---

---

So I had to end my last entry in a hurry because my internet time was running out. We just arrived back in South Africa in St. Lucia which is located in an estuary. Not sure exactly what that means. But apparently there are hippos that sleep in the river behind our backpacker. After walking to our car from the internet cafe, we discovered our car had a flat tire. About 10 men and boys came to help us. Angelique and I were in charge of watching all of our luggage. An older lady even stopped with her basket on her [View Full Entry]

---

---

I am currently sitting in an internet cafe in Maputo, Mozambique. So sorry if there aren't too many details. I don't really know what day of the week it is, but I will try to re-cap what I have done the past week or so. We left Durban early in the morning and drove through the Kingdom of Swaziland. It has beautiful countryside and we could see the different boks running along the main highway. The border patrol entering Swaziland was easy, but entering into Mozambique was another story. They were trying to convince us that it cost R2000, or about [View Full Entry]

---

---

I just checked into our backpacker in Durban called Happy Hippo. It is very clean and secure- a definite rarity compared to my other experiences at hostels. We drove about 1000 km from PE to Durban in about 9 and a half hours. It was a very beautiful drive that took us pass many animal reserves, through mountains, and grassy plains. We had to slow down or stop every once in a while for cows, goats, and/or sheep to cross the highway. The highways also go directly through town centers where people are crossing back and forth without any traffic lights, [View Full Entry]

---

---

I just took my first malaria pill in preparation for my three week road trip up the East coast of South Africa, through Swaziland, and into Mozambique. At first I was... discretely planning a trip to Egypt. We changed our minds at literally the last minute (the 21st) and will be leaving tomorrow (the 23rd). I realized that we came to South Africa to experience this country and should make the most of it while we can. Also, I would rather do a trip like that with a boyfriend or husband and use his money instead :) But I am thinking [View Full Entry]

---

---

I am about halfway through finals- I had four this past week and have three next week. I figured I could take a study break and update everyone. I didn't expect my mom to send the link to everyone...but thanks for reading! Since my escapades in Cape Town, I have confined myself to Port Elizabeth to "focus on my studies"/because I spent all my money. So unfortunately I don't really have any exciting adventures to share. It's still sunny here but we are gradually experiencing cooler weather. I haven't quite figured out how to do the celsius conversion in my head [View Full Entry]

---

---