Final Days in Africa

This blog got a little delayed in posting.  It was written about a week before I departed: 

Today I finished my last dive qualifying as an Open Water Scuba Diver.  The water was crystal clear- finally.  I saw a humpback whale, star fish, crab, giant fish, and even a giant jelly fish which really only looked like an oversized booger with legs.  No.  I’m serious.  It’s gross. 

Though the water was a warmer temperature (18 degrees Celsius) I was FREEZING! …It wasn’t until I made it back on board that I realized my wet suit was unzipped and open in the back the entire time.  Now I completely understand why that school of fish followed me around the reef… buncha’ little pervs.

Moving on. Because frankly fish are only so entertaining when they’re not animated, handy-capped and searching the ocean for a parent.   Halloween was celebrated here in Africa this year and it was by far the best yet.  I through a party for the internationals and the local friends I’ve made here in my own flat and it went just swell.  Due to my contract with Marymount University, I will not go into any further detail about the epic events that took place but I’m sure you can use your imagination to fill in the blanks.

On a horrifyingly more gruesome note, I woke up a week ago to a flesh-eating spider bite.  YES. This shit really does happen.  Apparently the “Sac Spider” is a native of South Africa and when bitten, a cyto-toxin is released decaying the flesh around the bite. Where did this little SOB bite me, you ask? That’s another one you’ll have to leave to your imagination.

But the days are dwindling, I fear, like the IQ of our future J-Bieber fans and I will be leaving Tuesday to return home. On the down side, I will leave the most beautiful country I have ever seen, some of the most interesting and exciting people, and of course- the cheerios.  On the BRIGHT side, however, I can fall asleep without fearing a damn spider will get to third base with me in my sleep.