Okay, so the only part of Port Elizabeth I have met with any regularity has been the ocean and the Friendly Seven Eleven (I have had to go there on a number of occasions because I keep remembering things I forgot). But, to my great relief, people here actually smile and say hi to you, instead of giving you the deathstare.
The ocean is amazing, cold at times, but amazing. Living across the street from the beach means I can go over and swim or just lounge around whenever I feel like, and so far I have taken advantage of that. The other day I learned how to body surf. I could not get the hang of it for hours and it started to drive me nuts. I caught maybe two waves in the first two hours I tried it. But to make up for the lack of wave action I met this one older lady named Shirley, who was also body surfing. I started talking to her and learned about her life (which was incredible). Later that day we went body surfing at another beach and it was much easier. The waves were bigger, they came faster. But I am feeling the price I have to pay for having so much fun outside. My back feels like someone held a blowtorch to it. I thought I put on enough sunscreen on but apparently not. Three days later and I’m still hurting really bad. I know I’ll be feeling this one for a while.
Yesterday, me and few others checked out the Boardwalk, the entertainment center in the tourist part of Port Elizabeth. A lot of crafts stores, cafes, a casion and movie theater. I had the best tasting pizza at a small café (so much for trying out the local cuisine, huh? ). So, the infamous Toby Joe’s, a club about a couple blocks from our flats, is closing. This club is extremely popular among past South Africa study abroad participants. It is not my scene whatsoever, but I had fun, for a while at least. I enjoyed the people watching more than anything else.
Today there was a markt that took up much of the beach boardwalk right across the street from the flat. Think of it as Art in the Park – African style. I was not much up for buying anything so I just looked around and saw a lot of intricate carvings, paintings, and some amazing beadwork. I am absolutely in love with the artwork here, I just hope I have enough room to bring everything home with me.
What I am finally beginning to realize is how luck I am to be here. It’s like living in paradise. All my family and friends are stuck in the middle of a Minnesota winter while I’m heading to the beach whenever I feel like it and eating supper on a patio overlooking the ocean as the sun is setting. It can’t get much better than this. I can already tell the time is going to go by too fast. I’m going to make the most of my time here.
Just uploaded some photos. Check them out on my flickr account.
Wow Mel, this is incredible!
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