Durban/Capetown!

Last week was like a vacation! We stayed in Durban the entire week, and we had a fairly small amount of programming. On Monday we drove to Durban and stayed at a swanky hotel called North Beach, which was right next to the Indian Ocean. We chilled on the 32nd floor by the pool  and did some sociology homework. That night, a few girls and I had a wonderful valentine's day dinner at the hotel restaurant, complete with rose petals. Tuesday, we visited the Phoenix Center (built for the Indians), which was the community where Gandhi stayed while he was in South Africa. It was also the birthplace of the first call for Mandela's freedom. The acutal community was destroyed by the apartheid government, but it was recently recreated for viewers. We found a local Indian restaurant that day, which just added to our complete Indian experience (Durban has the largest Indian population besides India). Wednesday, we visited one of the largest Muthi markets in South Africa. Muthi markets are populated by "seers" or "healers" who sell traiditonal healing products, such as various dried vegetables or bark. We quickly learned that we were very out of place. Upon arrival, the police immediately stopped us- we stood out like sore thumbs, and we were very aware of our skin color. However, the market itself was really interesting. Our tourguide, Faith, lead us around to the various vendors. We saw skulls, snakeskins, and lots of roots. Faith was an inpsiring activist- she was battling her third case of TB and had HIV. She was passionate about getting reasonably-priced medication to South Africans. Thursday, we took a "toxic tour" or Durban, which was a 3-hour tour of the various toxic sites and their influence on the people. Friday, we flew to Capetown on Mango airlines. Friday night was sweet- a group of twelve of us (including Mamma K) went the U2 concert in Capetown!! It was PACKED! The Capetown Stadium was absolutely gorgeous, and U2 was fantastic! He played for over two hours and sang a version of Stand by Me with another South African gospel singer, Amazing Grace, and rocked out on Vertigo! Yesterday, we visited Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope, and we saw the adorable African Penguins! The Cape is absolutely beautiful, and the water is gorgeous. We also visited Bishop Peter Storey yesterday. He had so much knowledge and wisdom- everyone loved his talk! This morning, a group of us went to the city square for our free day- we shopped at a local market and other random stores. Also, Josh and I randomly decided to go to a Methodist church this morning, and it happened to be Alan Storey's (Peter's son) church! So, we sat two rows behind Bishop Storey as we heard his son preach- it was one of my favorite things we've done so far :)