Arriving in Africa
After nearly 24 hours of travel, we have arrived in Africa. For the most part things went smoothly without incident, but we did have a few close calls.
Our flight from Nashville to DC was held on the tarmac for about 30 minutes for “weight and balance” issues. Basically were told we could not depart until 4 people voluntarily removed themselves from the flight. Eventually two people did so and that was enough to get us going. Sitting in the cramped cabin that extra time didn’t help my claustrophobia, but I managed to make it without having to resort to taking Xanax.
The flight from DC to Jo-burg via Dakar, Senegal was long, but uneventful. The crew was great, the food was decent, and even though 18 hours is a long time to sit on a plane, it wasn’t as difficult as I was expecting.
When we deboarded the airplane, we were quickly reminded that it is winter here in the southern hemisphere. It wasn’t freezing, but definitely pretty chilly for a short-sleeved shirt.
Customs and baggage claims were a breeze as was exchanging money and renting the car. It was easier to navigate the international section of Jo-burg airport than it was Dulles.
Once we picked up the car, the real fun began. In planning for this trip, I have not been nervous about the standard things. I am not worried about the plane crashing, or our luggage getting lost, or carjackers, or lions (or tigers and bears), or black mambas. But, I have fretted over learning to drive on the other side of the road.
I don’t know if it was self-fulfilling prophecy, or if it really is that big of a transition, but the 20 minutes from the airport to our lodging was by far the most stressful part of the trip so far: Every time I tried to use my turn signal I turned on the windshield wipers; Beth has to remind me every time I turned to not go straight into the path of incoming traffic; I am constantly hugging the left side of the road, and; it still freaks me out to see cars coming at me on the right.
It didn’t help that the highway we traveled on was under construction and had concrete rails on either side. Nor did it help my confidence to witness the car next to be get rear-ended as a semi tried to merge into my lane.
I am hoping the worst of jt is over (knock on wood) and am looking forward to driving on the more open country roads instead of the city.
Tomorrow (technically “today” since I am writing this at 3:00am due to jet lag keeping me awake) we will drive the 5-6 hours to Swaziland and enter in through the Bulembu border crossing. We have a brief tour of Bulembu then we are staying with the Director of Operations at his home. On Thursday is when the real fun begins with all of our meetings scheduled.
Can’t wait to get the traveling out of the way so we can get to the heart of our trip.
So far we have been lucky with internet, and hope to be able to post updates along the way, but there are no guarantees. Even if we can’t post, we will keep some notes so we can update you on the details of our trip as it progresses.
-bk