Other than a jaunt to the National Portrait Gallery last week, I have not been able to get out and about as much as I would like. However, last night I did something really student-y: I hit the town with my "landlord", Tomi, and played a few games of pool. I was a bit rusty but managed to win all four games, which is mildly interesting (I suppose). But the most shocking moment of the evening was receiving the bill when we finished play. It had cost us more than $14 for just one hour's play!

Today I had a hair cut, which cost me a further $15. If you do the conversations into rands - which you should not, but which I do compulsively anyway - these prices will reduce you to tears. Let's just say that things don't come cheap in the land of the free.

Sticking with the theme of commodities and cash: I finally purchased a bed - an el cheapo from a store in the Latino neighbourhood of Langley. I managed to get it for the relatively cheap price of $106. If I had tried to buy a bed anywhere else, I would have had to purchase the mattress, the box spring (what Americans call a base) and a frame separately. Businesses here do try to make a dollar on every item - it's really hard buying a bed all-in-one as is so common in South Africa.

And speaking of beds, it's about that time. G'night.