Port Elizabeth, South Africa

I have finally arrived in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The weather is unbelievable down here. Paradise and then some. The first day here was great. The group and I flew from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth early Saturday morning, February 1st. Flying over South Africa was incredible. The landscape and area is completely different and so beautiful. When looking out the window of the plane you don't see farm land and suburbs. Rather, you see hills, valleys, desert, beach, townships and small cities. The view gave me chills of excitement. I have never been so excited to land and get off a plane. Once we landed, Sister Mary Jane, our program director, met us at the airport. She helped pick us up and bring us back to Langerry Flats where we will be staying for the entirety of our program. We met up with everyone else who had landed earlier and got settled into our rooms. Personally, I love the rooms and find them quite nice. They aren't something you would see in Minnesota, however, it is perfect for a bunch of 21 year old college kids on a study abroad trip. There is no AC but there isn't a need for it. When you open up all the windows the breeze blows through and cools you down very quickly. That's one of my favorite parts about the flat.

So for Saturday's activities we all went to the beach and jumped into the Indian Ocean for the first time ever. The water was warm and the sand soft. Perfection. Nothing like it. We have all been sun kissed now because after that and our walk to the grocery store for some supplies, our Minnesotan skin is nice and red. However, I would prefer it this way in February rather than dealing with the -30 degree temperature.
At night, we all celebrated our arrival and made our way to the rooftop of the flat where we all talked and took in the scenery till about midnight.

So far today my friend Sam and I went for a quick jog down the beach and then for a dip in the water. It's so nice to be able to do that. After, we all went to mass with Sister Mary Jane. I see myself at the beach for the rest of the day. Maybe playing catch or swimming in the ocean. Not sure, all I know is that it will be very fun.