10:24 PM, Friday, January 28, 2011
Where I am: Johannesburg (more technically “East Rand” section outside Jo’burg, at a Catholic Seminary of all places).
Where I’ve been: Minneapolis, Chicago, DC, Dakar, and now, here.
How it went: My first two flights were good. Typical, annoying, but fine. My flight to DC was spent next to a husband and wife who teach Old Testament and New Testament, respectively, in Zimbabwe. When I arrived at D.C., ready for the long flight, I was informed my flight had been cancelled. Or, rather, yesterday’s flight had been cancelled due to weather, and those people were taking my flight. I would be notified if there was a seat for me. Long story short, two hours later I had a seat. Two hours after that we finally took off (7:30 PM, DC time). Waiting in line to board- for an hour- I had a long conversation with an Afrikans couple from Johannesburg. They were both pastors of a church together, and her name was Sharon. She was very friendly and I told her about my program and she told me about her life and travels and grandchildren.
The international flight was obviously very long. 17 hours flight time not including time change hours. We left at 7:30 DC time and arrived at 7:30 Johannesburg time. The plane was huge- 80 rows with 3 sections of seats. I was in row 73, but I had the window seat. Next to me sat a woman named Mike (I never asked how she got that name..) who was headed to Lesotho. She started some type of ministry online and now works with children there. She had been delayed the night before and was making the trek for ONE DAY in Lesotho. That is love and dedication, my goodness. We talked a lot- she kind of mothered me through the international flying process, which was nice. If not for her, I might not have known how to watch all those movies. : )
Since getting here it’s be a disorienting kind of get-to-know-you. You can tell everyone is really just beat, but trying hard to make friends. Maybe a little too hard- I didn’t feel bad skipping out to shower and go to bed. It’s hard to sleep on planes, and right now as I type this my limbs feel fuzzy and I feel a little dizzy. I’m off to bed- I just knew if I didn’t write this now I never would.
Peace.
Let the adventures of tomorrow unfold!
Claire, thank you for sharing. I especially liked this:"You can tell everyone is really just beat, but trying hard to make friends. Maybe a little too hard- I didn’t feel bad skipping out to shower and go to bed." I can completely relate. Miss you.
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