Chuck's Organization went to Durban for a night of 'Team Appreciation'. 17 people in a van outfitted for 15, lots of beer and watering breaks, eardrum splitting music and no hotel reservations made for a very interesting experience. Our patience just about ran out on several occasions, but we survived partly because our PCV friends were staying at a Backpackers in the hills (which had one room available)

This photo is one of 10 taken in front of the Toll into the city. Very exciting to have your photo taken in front of the toll! I had no idea!

 

Traditional Zulu dancers practicing their routines before the hordes of tourists take over Durban in 12 days!

What do you pack when spending the day in the big city? Your traditional outfits, of course! 

View of Durban from the hills.

 We spent the night in Durban with Chuck's organization.  Durban is really a fascinating city. We've been there a couple of times and I, particularly love it. It is very diverse, but somewhat segregated, of course. The beach front is like a trashy Atlantic City, but they're trying to revitalize it with new beach front promenades, seaside amusement parks and restaurants, etc... They're also planting thousands of trees and flowers, building parking lots and general upkeep in preparation for World Cup. The white area of the city is up in the hills with gorgeous views of the Indian Ocean. Our Backpackers are in this area, and the two we've stayed at are quite pretty with meandering gardens and natural swimming pools. This area is filled with outside cafes, weekend farmer's markets, botanical gardens.
The black and Indian areas are closer to the port and beaches. These areas are very dynamic with thousands of people shopping and conducting their trades.  Durban is the hub of the Indian population in S. Africa, and appears to have the most religious diversity from other areas we've visited. We love walking around here and people watching all the Christian preachers, the traditional woman coming in for shopping, mixing with big city young girls in high fashion.
Just a few blocks away is the glorious beach.  Miles of wide sandy beaches and warm, clear ocean, but with high waves, not ideal for swimming, but great for surfing.
And ALL of this is in stark contrast with our rural village. No goats and cows and chickens milling about with the vegetable sellers lined up on the road!
Durban is just less than 3 hours from Tugela Ferry, many of the MDs and nurses who work at the hospital and clinics in TF also have homes and families there. It's very handy for us to have Durban so close, but we are happier here in Tugela Ferry. Chuck has become very well acquainted with all the trails in the mountains. He runs for hours and hours up in the mountains.
And, I love my organization and work. We're in the right place for us.