In one of my classes, we asked our professor what he thought about the summer weather here. When we arrived it rained for the first week, so it really didn’t feel like summer at all. His response however, was that he didn’t necessarily care for it, because the rain and the warmth of the sun allowed the jungle to take over. This statement could not be more accurate.
First of all, it became increasingly difficult to go to classes and do homework once the weather turned warmer. I don’t think I could even tell you how many times I have been on my way to do homework when I see people playing soccer on the front lawn. So, naturally, instead of continuing with my plan to get things done, I dump my school stuff somewhere and run down to my chalet so I can change to play. After playing barefoot soccer (yes… barefoot) till it is just too hot to continue, I will start thinking about school again. But, it is not long before the jungle takes over again, and there is something else to distract me. The jungle also took over my computer, and I have not had if for the past two and a half weeks. Hopefully I will get it back this weekend, but you never know what the jungle has in mind. It has actually been a nice break not having it as a potential crutch though, and people here have been extremely generous. I am very thankful for my roommate Rachel Bidlack, who has let me use her computer for my daily assignments. Finally, we have a game reserve that is a two-minutes walk from our campus, and I find myself in there often, when I should be writing papers instead. In fact, just last night I was up until 1:30 in the morning because I decided to go on a walk barefoot into the game reserve a bit. (I didn’t realize how little I wear shoes until now). Alas, the jungle taketh over indeed.
Every week, we have things to do other than school. On Tuesdays we visit the different service sites we will be working at once the six weeks are over, and it is always refreshing to see God’s hand in some of these after school programs we have gone to visit; not to mention the pre-school kids are adorable. Then, on weekends, we go on field trips as a whole group. Our first Saturday, we went to a Birds of Prey park, and also to a place that had a name something along the lines of ‘World’s View’. Both areas were gorgeous, and it is apparent the jungle takes over everywhere, since both places were so green. Last Saturday, we went to a small shopping centre in Umzinto, and then to the beach for our Intercultural Communications class. Both days were a lot of fun, and it was great to get to see more of the beautiful country in which we now reside. Every morning I still have to convince myself that this is real, because the beauty of it all is just phenomenal. 
Other weekly things include trips to the mall, hiking, sitting/showering (clothed) in the waterfall, running, using the 90 foot slip n’ slide, church, eating, eating, and eating. We have three meal a day, and we also have breaks for tea, meaning if we are in class, we will be dismissed for half and hour so that we can eat, drink, and be merry. It’s good we have been so active because we never have a shortage of food to eat, and it certainly adds up! In all, I think I am starting to get settled into this place. School still is not any easier, because there are so many other things I would rather be doing than sitting in a classroom for six hours. But, I just remind myself that there are only six weeks of school total, and then I don’t feel as bad. I have found a church home already, and a group of us have begun a friendship with the youth there. They even took us to a concert on Tuesday, which was a lot of fun, and good to meet people outside of out API community. I haven’t stopped loving it here, and I cannot wait to see what these next few weeks will bring!
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