Phase III was Dec 6-10, it was whatever. My host family didn’t have me stay in that little house I was living in during training because they are now using it as a chicken coupe. Instead, I was staying in their living room. This was fine until the middle of the week when I saw a rat run across the rafters right above my bed. Not ok. I mean, I’m actually not afraid of rats, I just don’t like the thought of one falling on my head while I’m sleeping.

Kelly and I decided to take a last minute trip to Bloemfontein, South Africa. So we went straight from Phase III to Bloem. The hostel we stayed at, Hide Place, was so nice. I forgot how comfortable a bed is when you can’t feel every spring piercing your back, and what a nice hot shower is like. We just hung out at the mall and ate delicious food. It was quite a nice weekend.

 I now have two kittens! I’m glad I decided to get two because I am gone all day so they have each other to play with. The black one is Hermies and the calico is Hendricks. I’m already in love with them! 

For Christmas, a group of us volunteers went and stayed at the Deakin’s. They live in Butha-Buthe, the northern most district in Lesotho. It is a gorgeous district, there site is so nice. We has the most amazing Christmas dinner, probably the best I have ever had. They killed a goose and cooked it, we had mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, mashed pumpkin with candied pecans on top, dinner rolls from scratch, apple and sausage stuffing and a salad. So damn delicious.

For New Years the group of us went to Durban, South Africa. The drive to Durban alone was so awesome, South Africa is a really beautiful country, especially the Kwa-Zulu Natal district. Durban is the 3rd largest city in SA and it is a gorgeous beach city. It was so nice to walk around at nice and go to bars, also to not be stared at all the time. There is a very large Indian population in Durban (apparently the largest in the southern hemisphere outside of India) so we had awesome bunnie chow and ate at delicious Indian restaurants. Kelly bungee jumped off the new Football stadium they just built for the World Cup. I have a video of it and will load it one day.

I have off of work until the 17 so I am just relaxing. I am a little sick with a sinus infection to I’m glad I don’t have to teach in the mornings. I am officially bored though, this week has made me realize how thankful I am to have a structured job in Peace Corps, I don’t know how others do it.

My parents are coming to visit in March! I’m super excited! We will travel around South Africa for a bit and then they will spend some time in Lesotho. I can’t wait for them to see my house and meet all of my neighbors and coworkers.