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Yo guys!!
So, all is good in very hot and sunny Durban!! Yesterday we had our Zulu tribe tour. We left at 9am, there was only us and a young German guy and then the guide in his car. We went to valley of a 1000 hills which is the area where all the Zulu tribes are based; it was only about 45 minutes from our hostel. The trip was not what we expected, as they still advertise the zulu tribes as wearing the traditional outfits and walking around with spears, but realistically they have moved with the times, although a lot slower than us. So they are all wearing similar clothes to us and many of them now work in the city, etc. But they are still living in the mud huts and following old traditions, similar to what we saw in Lesotho. A local guy met us and showed us around the village, he took us to the lake and told us about how when couple get together the girl makes the boy a bracelet from the reeds- we all had a go at this and so are now wearing nice braided reed bracelets. Then we learnt about how once a year the females have to snap a special kind of stick and if it breaks they are a virgin and the chief gives them a plot of land to start a family, etc. If it doesn't break then they are not a virgin and their parents have to buy the chief a cow before he will give her a piece of land!?
We looked around some of the huts and learnt more about ceremonies and rules, etc. Saw loads and loads of cannabis growing wild everywhere! Saw another Sangoma (witch doctor). Then went to a local's hut for some lunch; spinach, maize, cabbage, tomato stuff and butternut squash. It was very nice, except you have to eat with your hands!! I have been chuckling ever since cos they offered chilli's and I had one, but I ate it slowly with the other food but then the German guy with us asked me if it was hot and I said "no, not really", so he had one and just took a big bite and next thing his eyes were streaming and his nose running and he was like "do you really not think it is hot?". Hahaha- that'll teach the Germans for eating so much (this is one observation we have made on this trip- the Germans eat a lot!!!!).
Some local kids danced and got us up dancing too- even Gareth danced!! Then we drove back through a local township where they had been demonstrating earlier and there was still the burnt out tyres and loads of police about. Come back to hostel about 3. Boiling hot, sunny day! We mooched to the beach which is literally 5 minutes away and has a lovely shopping, restuarant area by it- Ushaka beach! Had a paddle and then walked to the supermarket to get some supplies to do breakfasts and tea for tomorrow, etc. Gave the hostel all out washing to do for a couple of quid, felt a bit guilty as our stuff stunk!! They had done it all by the evening and put it in our room! Just chilled in the evening, reading and played scrabble again, 21-0.
Sunday:
Another glorious day, so we headed to the beach!! Lovely and sandy and the water is quite clear. It is a surfer's beach really as the waves are huge! We set up camp! Put on lots of sun cream and down 10 minutes on my front and back, but still both got a tad pink! Had a swim, which was nice and looked in some of the shops. Headed back about 2.30pm, before we got too burnt. Just chilling for the evening. Durban has a high concentration of Indian people, we noticed today.
Off to East London tomorrow at 6.45am, going to be a day spent travelling, meant to arrive about 6pm.
Hope all is good! Oh and well done Chris on passing your theory! Take care xx
- comments
soph soph Hey bisp and Garth! I am the first to post, i think there are gonna be a few jealous people ha ha ha. Have been keeping up to date with your blog but have to allocate time as they are so detailed! Sounds like your having a fab time tho and you have managed to see so much and also the beach, well done you are a sister of mine. Glad to hear the hyeenas didn't get you, Benny was worried. My blog goes something like this- back to school this week. Had graduation and a nice free meal. Had a course on Thursday and then open evening. Dodgey stomach at school on Fri, ate half a rocky. Been to London this weekend to see suzie and nicole, didn't drink. Anyways keep having an amazing time as i am sure you will! Love you lots x x x x x
Auntie Vic Bloody sopho!!!!!!!!! Zulu tribe sounded an experience ( i would like to see gareth dance so hopefully we can recreate this upon your return). ha ha ha to the greedy german guy. The beach sounds lovely but you know me im a beacher. How handy having someone to do your washing for you seriously your not used to that!!!!!!!!! my blog reads like this, on an early yesterday no staff so stayed til 7 then came home and spent family time, day off today hoorah so popped in town got a jumper and slow cooker book and then morrisons. Authentic indian chicken slow cooking as i type (boys not happy as i wont be ready til 6.15 which as you know is painful for them! Hope east london is fantastic and weather stays lush for ya. Love ya lots xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Ermmm hang on did soph actually say weekend in london with suzie and nicloe and didnt drink??????????????????????? xx
Mum Mandy I am finding myself in a parallell universe where I have one daughter dancing with Zulu's surrounded by wild cannabis and a greedy chilli eating German and a second daughter on a night out in london not drinking!! As well as a husband who has now started referring to us as dad dad and mum mum!! I knew I shouldn't have had that last glass of wine before bed!! My Blog: Work, cooked tea, went to bed, work, cooked tea (v nice roast even if I do say so myself) off to the the jungle tonight (ITV 9pm), bed! Alex and Gareth it all sounds fantastic, hope your bus journey isn't too gruelling and look forward to hearing about East London? Love you lots! xx
Auntie Debbie Hi you 2 everyting looks and sounds amazing - love the beach photos. Our Blog: Fay having a lovely birthday she went shopping in Kingston with Ad and got very spoilt / we dont expect to see the boys for a while as the new call of duty game arrived today and i have never seen them so excited!! work and sainsburys for me - still i can follow your blog and dream! Love to you both XXXXXXXXXX
Rob & Claire Sounds like you are both having a great time (not jealous.......much)! So bro, are you a fully signed up member of the Zulu's now? Enjoy the sun while you have the chance because you won't see much of it once your back. Hope you both continue to have a great time, take it easy. Looking forward to the next installment. P.s. Gareth - you need to brush up on your scrabble skills! Lol
mum Hi to you both what great pictures boy you both look great make the most of the sunshine not much here, make a change to get one over the German's good on you alex I'd love to have seen his face Ha! the new Waitrose and John Lewis opened last week long queue's of traffic not been yet ! watching I'm a celeb nothing else on. Gareth you will have to show us your new dance routine when you get home you guy's take care and keep in touch thanks for all the blogs your doing a great job take care love dadand mum xxxxxxxxx
Auntie Vic Hi ya a quick check in before yet another day at the office! (3 days off after late today) Yipee....You two probably dont remember work its something you do daily for money. Luke had a science test where one of the questions was worth 6 points he was the only one in the class to get all 6 points and he took a photo as evidence!!! So if anyone needs to know anything about the kidneys hes ya man. I havent been to wiatrose or john lewis yet either gareths mum im thinking its gonna be pricey but will go when its not so busy. Anyways look foward to hearing what adventures you two have been up to. Love you lots xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Mum Mandy I did pop along to John Lewis and Waitrose on Monday, still very busy and very nice although only bought a little something to amuse young people while dinner is cooking on christmas day! xx