The Golden Mile

Sorry I have not been able to write for awhile, the internet connection around town is not the most dependable...anyways, I recently have been spending all of my days off at the markets or on the beaches along The Golden Mile, Durban's premier stretch of coastline. During the weekend nights, us girls in the volunteer house have taken to going out dancing, as it is one of the only places we can go after dark and otherwise we just end up in bed by 9. The days are spent lounging on the beach or listening to the live music while eating ice cream or sipping smoothies, life here is pretty much a paradise and I am actually upset just thinking about leaving, though excited to see the people I love.
   While writing this blog, I have found it impossible to convey all of my feelings and experiences as I would like to, there is just too much to put into words. The center is still great, though I wish I could help the staff reorganize to volunteer program to make things better for both parties. A couple of days ago, I got the job of serving cocktails at a very very posh golf club where CROW was holding a fundraiser. The golfers were very nice and quite interested in CROW and what it does for the community. Thinking about the military precision that goes into organizing the Columbus Zoo's "Zoofari" fundraiser, this even was the total opposite. After sitting reading in the shade for 6 hours waiting for the golfers to finish, I helped present prizes and got tons of pictures take of me. Speaking of which, when I was walking along the beach, these three black women with a baby walked over to me and just started posing around me, it was very surreal. I was reminded of when I was on a ferry in NYC and approached by three Asian women who wondered and marveled at my then bleach blonde hair. I was asked to take several different positions, most of which involved me holding the baby of the hands of the women. They seemed gleeful and kept on going on "Come stand here my friend!" It was very cute and touching when they beamed and thanked me when I left. Everywhere I go, I seem to get attention, mostly because I'm the only white person around. There is definitely still racisim in South Africa and the white population seems the most guilty, labeling all the "black" beaches and taxis as dangerous and not worth my time. It is so sad to see this go on around me.
   Since my trip is coming to an end, I am asking for those of you reading to post any questions you may have about my stay, or if you wish for me to elaborate on anything, hopefully the internet will be working next time I attempt to get online!