Oh hey Durban!

So last week the monkeys really started acting up. They are very comfortable around us and think they can do whatever they want, including getting into our rooms and taking our food. They are not afraid of girls at all (which is so wonderful), but they are afraid of boys. Some girls have even been chased by monkeys. We have a paint ball gun that we use sometimes, but the boys have it most of the time. Were supposed to be getting pepper spray too. Sorry if any of this sounds harsh but if you were here you would understand! The monkeys always hang out outside my window and will often try to get in while were in there! They are cute to look at, but they are scary when they come at you!

Saturday we went to Durban for the day! We did some shopping at Victoria's Market. It was so fun to be with the people. I found some really cool stuff but cant tell you what it is because you may be getting some of the things I bought :) I was kind of reminded of India once again, just shopping in small confined spaces with large groups of people again haha I am reminded of India so much here! After shopping we went to the beach!! It was so nice! Its funny because at the beach you are only allowed to swim in one small area because the shark nets are only in a few places (or a least that's what I heard). Its safe, but its just super crowded. We were in the water bumping into each other and the locals as well haha I ended up playing volleyball in the water with a few of the girls from the trip and some of the local boys and kids. It was fun to hang out with them!

So on Valentines Day we went to the New Life church again. It was so fun to be welcomed and recognized and catch up with a few of the people we have met already. After church some of us were craving McDonalds so we stopped and grabbed some before we got back to campus. I couldn't believe that I was excited to have McDonalds!! But anyways, we all got out except Eli because he said he didn't want any. When we came back out with our food ready to go, the bus was gone. So we were like well, TIA and sat down to eat our food. (TIA 'this is Africa' is the phrase we say when things take forever or when we don't know whats going on, which is often) When the bus finally showed up, I asked them where they went. Reagen (one of our Campus Life Coordinators) said that Liezel (his fiance) needed something at the store, but I didn't believe him. When we got back to campus, Eli and I went on a walk in the game reserve and I asked him what Liezel needed at the store. His response was "Oh, um, ya, she needed some....she wanted to get....ok, you got me" I knew it! I told him that I didn't need or want anything at all, he's to good to me!! So when I got back to my room there was a box of chocolates and flowers! It was so sweet! We have an activities comity and they planned a Valentines Day dinner. So we all got dressed up, had dinner together, and had a small gift exchange. Eli had the idea to get a chicken alfredo recipe for the kitchen staff! It turned out really good! It was a great Valentines Day to be surrounded by wonderful friends and Eli :)