Qwaqwa, Basotho and Clarens

      Yesterday (well it was yesterday when I wrote it now it's two days ago) we came back from Qwaqwa. We were happy to leave the wind and freezing cold behind but sad to leave our new friends and great food. On the way back from Qwaqwa we stopped in Basotho cultural village. We learned a lot about their culture and even met the chief of the village. We got to try their homemade beer where we all sat around the chief and passed around the cup. I was not a fan of the homemade beer. It was almost like spoiled, fermented milk. Kinda gross. After that we toured the village and met the chiefs second and third wife. We also got to try maize, salt and sugar mixed together. She put it in our hand and then we just ate it. It was basically powder and it tasted very strange.  Then we tried corn but it was larger than usual and it was really salty and chewy. I wasn't a huge fan of that either. However, for each thing we did the guys always went first and then the girls were allowed to go.         After touring Basotho we went to Clarens. We were supposed to get an hour to eat and walk around but we ended up getting a half hour. We scarfed down our food and while waiting for our food we took turns hopping into stores around us. It was crazy.        When we got back we got our new roommates and now I'm rooming with a girl from the university of Minnesota. There are 6 of us in Akasia (the name of our dorm) and none of us are rooming with South Africans. Some are rooming alone! We thought that was strange. Everyone in the dorm was very welcoming and so far it's been a great experience.         I even made a friend with a South African who lives on the second floor. She came down to meet us all when she heard there were international students in the dorm. She had just gotten back from App State 2 weeks ago after studying there for a whole year.  When she came I had been in my bed and didn't get out because it was freezing. She noticed this and brought me. Huge fluffy blanket (I know have 5 blankets on my bed) and a heater for my room. It made everything so much better and now you can hang out in my room without having to be under blankets. Getting out of bed in the morning is awful because you're nice and warm in your bed and nothing outside of your bed is warm.         I know as soon as I get back to the USA I'll be complaining about the heat and humidity and wishing for this weather back. But I just like to complain now! :)