The University of KwaZulu-Natal

Sowbona! (that means hello in Zulu)
So I'm finally here in Durban. I arrived here Tuesday afternoon...it was VERY overwhellming, I must say. The rez hadn't been cleaned yet from after their summer break, so there were lots of dead cockroaches everywhere..pretty gross. But I have a single room, so I can't really complain. ONe major difference from Laurier (or any Canadian Uni.) is that the entire campus here is surrounded by metal fences and barbed-wire. It makes you feel safe, but also not at the same time...a constant reminder of the crime around the area. But the campus is very secure, so I never feel in danger when I'm here. Oh, there are also monkey's alll over the campus...alot right near my rez. I saw them finally for the first time today and there must have been ten of them all together. They are pretty cute! So I'm getting adjusted here. There are three guys here from Laurier and one other girl and then two other Canadians from Carlton. The majority of the internationals are from the US, though...and most of them live in my rez. I haven't hung out with this many Americans ever in my life! But there are some very cool people with very diverse backgrounds and I've already had some interesting conversations. I've also been getting to know some of the locals, which is cool because they are more than willing to show us around and to teach us Zulu..hah.
Something to really get adjusted to here is the pace of life...it's EXTREMELY slower than in Norh American, which I enjoy to an extent. It definitly take some getting used to. If you say that you will meet someone at 9, that really means 9:30 or 10..hah. And calling a cab is ridiculous because they say they will be there in 20 minutes and your still waiting an hour later. It's just so laidback and chill here, that no one is in a hurry. I''m sure by the end of the month I will be used to it...and then when I come back to Canada I will end up being late for everything I'm sure!
Anyway thing are going well and I'm feeling slightly settled in. It's a process and I'm sure once classes start things will feel more solidified. I've been slowly exploring the city, so that is helping me to get adjusted. I will try and put some photos up from Cape Town on here, and if that doesn't work than I will try and put them on facebook. But that's all for now...I'm headed to the beach! Love you all and miss you!