Natalie in South Africa: Market Day in Durbs

Today we hit up the market in Berea Park, about a 10-minute walk from the hostel (don't be fooled, it's hard work coming home all uphill...very steep!). It's a Saturday market with a musician performing, games for the kids and vendors selling food, crafts, clothes and art. I bought the most gorgeous painting! It cost just under $40, which is about right apparently, but framing it might pose a problem!

The market was mostly all white people, with some black vendors. There were two men dressed up as miners, wearing rubber boots, and they would come to life and do dances when you dropped money into the hats. The children were fascinated/terrified! Apparently it has a historical context since it is a form of dance from the mines where you wear rubber boots like they did. One is dressed as a woman (has breasts and a longer wig) and the other is a man, but both have their faces painted with white and sunglasses on. They freeze after their bit is performed until the next coin is dropped for them. It apparently represents mine wives.

I bought some Greek food from a vendor and I was thoroughly disappointed! Gotta stick with the curries here, I guess! Also bought some rice spice, curry powder and meat spice (braai spice - specifically for bbq) and a super cute headband.

Then we hit the best part of the beach, according to our driver. It was a BEAUTIFUL day! Hot and sunny! The waves are icredible and every surfer's dream. Tons of surfers were further out, while we stuck to shallower water where the other people were. The undertow is incredible with waves that size. I am VERY glad that I wore a one-piece because the two-pieces were being displaced. (Don't worry, I wore sunscreen, Mom!)

But then the sun went behind the clouds and it got dramatically cooler. So I got back into the water since it is like a bath compared to the Atlantic!

Then we headed to a restaurant called Zack's, where the food definitely had tourist prices (almost the same as at home) and it was okay. I had a few girly drinks and a chicken, feta and jalapeno wrap. The service was slow. But the bill came to over 1000R and they don't split the bills here. So we each paid and then realized that there wasn't enough money... after panicking, we realized somebody else's food was on our bill, but we still didn't have enough. One girl got sick in the bathroom, and there was drama!! LOL. We will be sure to get separate bills next time because it gets wild with 9 girls (Khadija wasn't feeling well and stayed back).

Now we have readings to do for class next week, so I'm off to get those done! I realize that this is a Saturday night, but you gotta do what you gotta do!

Don't worry! Apparently, it's harmless! Just huge!