Coffee Bay

Wow,
Almost a full week without internet access... I almost couldn't take it. The African internet cafe lady just called me a computer nerd, and I think she may be right.
I finished my pony trek in Lesotho yesterday and it was incredible. Lesotho is gorgeous and the people are really nice. I opted for a 3-day, 2-night trek, we went all though a green mountain valley and swam in a waterfall. It was also one of my first opportunities to get a glimpse into rural (traditional) African life. I took a bunch of photos of the local children at the tribal village where I slept, and the concept of being able to see their own image on the camera completely confounded them. Besides never having seen a camera, few of these kids have even seen their own reflection in the mirror. I have been told many times that it is important not to give the kids money or candy, instead donate to a local charity or give them fruit, or something else that won't rot their teeth. I gave them pieces of bread with peanut butter, which made me feel like a very culturally responsible tourist.
I got a ride back to the capital of Lesotho with a 12-person Australian missionary group, then bought a traditional Basotho blanket on my way out the border, where the cab driver walked me all the way to the border and helped me find a ride to Bloemfontein. The woman was a South African nurse, trying to save money on petrol. Interesting enough, until she almost falls asleep at the wheel and decides she needs to take a 30 minute nap on the side of the road before continuing on. This was a fairly awkward (not to mention potentially dangerous) situation, but luckily we made it to the bus station just fine.
So last night I was at the bus station from for 5 hours waiting for the overnight bus from Bloemfontein to East London, a couple of people were harassing me so a German lady let me sleep in her dried fruit store. I bought a ton of it, thrilled that dried fruit is my perfect loophole in the rules of giving responsibly to the local kids.
I slept like a baby on the overnight bus thanks to my new Basotho blanket. When we arrived in East London, the driver took the entire Greyhound to the minibus taxi stand so I wouldn't walk across town alone at 7:30 in the morning. I guess that's when it really hit me, this place is not safe. Just the reactions of the locals on the bus made me realize that, although this seems in many ways like a first world country, the crime rate is incredibly high here - and I make a obvious target.
Anyways, after almost 24 hours of travel, I have arrived safely at my hostel in Coffee Bay, South Africa, and I got a free beer when I checked in so things are looking pretty good. This place even has internet, laundry service, and hot showers! I am living large.
Also- I have a South African cell with international texting so leave your number if you want some random, middle-of-the-night shoutouts...