Durban Disaster

This past weekend I went with the spring break crew +Sam to Durban for a short vacation expecting fun in the sun and lots of sleep. We left on a night bus on Thursday and arrived early Friday morning where we went to our hostel, Smith's cottage, and slept for a few hours before heading to the beach. We spent 3-4 hours swimming and reading before catching a taxi to Florida st. where we had an amazing lunch. We then walked around a bit before going back to the hostel to order in Indian food and watch King Arthur.

Saturday we woke up late and headed to the Victory st. market where we got scarves to cover our heads before going to the biggest mosque in the southern hemisphere. Mike and Claire got into a huge fight at the market because mike wandered off and Claire called him and yelled at him. It was ridiculous and dramatic and it caused a huge embarrassing scene. After the mosque we ate lunch and then some people wanted to buy liquor so we went into a liquor store, yes I know what a terrible decision. So we wait around while people who want to buy alcohol and Mike is sort of flashing his wallet around unaware and a few guys stop and stare at him before leaving the store. A few blocks away after leaving the store a couple of guys walk around me cause I'm at the back of the group and grab onto Mike and then about 5 more swarm over us out of nowhere and in minutes have taken Claire's bag and a few wallets and cell phones. Luckily I was completely ignored but they had guns and it was still a nerve wracking experience. Kristen (whos stuff was in Claire's bag) and Claire begin to cry as we walk to McDonalds to call our hostel to come pick us up. When we get back to the hostel Claire and Mike end up yelling at each other all over again about what happened before but eventually things settle down and we settle in for the night with more Indian food and Good Will Hunting.

Sunday we go to the casino for sushi and the beach there because it's safer. I go watch Hellboy II while everyone else goes to the beach and then we go back to the hostel for, yep you guessed it, more Indian food and a movie:Kill Bill II. At 8:15 we pile into the van and go the bus station. The bus ride was fine, Harry Potter 7 on my iPod kept me sane. We arrived at the bus station around 5am and get taxis back to res. When we get there we end up getting a big fight over the money and the taxi driver gets pissed at Claire for telling him the situation is bullshit. He tells her she needs to have respect and that she can't come to South Africa with her white ways, she gets pissed and yells at him saying she isn't white and he's like whatever, Chinese. At on point he grabs onto her bag saying he wants his money but Mike pushes him back and yells at him more. Eventually I end up giving him the amount he wants, I apologize on behalf of my friend for swearing at him and we go to our rooms. The entire situation was ridiculous and in a way was an interesting experience. It just sucks because I don't think it's going to make my friends act any different. We are in a different country and it was horrible for the taxi drivers to be racist about the situation but at the same time, they are living in SA and they lived through apartheid. Of course when they look at us they are going to see spoiled, disrespectful, rich Americans.

Overall, an interesting trip. I'm definitely done with the drama for a while though.
Yesterday I went to Oriental Plaza which is in Fordsburg with Lydia and Khullet. I got new sunglasses and we walked around searching for backpacks for their trip to Botswana/Vic. Falls in a couple of weeks. It was fun.

One week of classes left. Then exams, ugh...