It's been one heck of a journey getting down here, but stepping out of the airport saying: "I'm in Africa right now..." was so worth it. We left Winnipeg on the 11th and flew over to Toronto - and for all of those who know how much I love Big Bang Theory this should make you smile: I sat next to a theoretical physicist!
It was smooth sailing getting our group and our luggage checked in at the airport, but the first bump hit at Pearson. We were heading over to our next gate and Raf told everyone to get out their next boarding pass. Steve (my co-worker) and I looked at each other, because neither one of us had another boarding pass. Just Winnipeg to Toronto! So we had to exit out of the airport, head to the Lufthansa desks, print our next 2 boarding passes and check back through customs. Not a huge hitch, just a little annoying. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise, since, as we rounded the corner to walk up to the desk I got hit by something hugging me and calling me a liar all in one go. Holly had come to the airport to say hello to those flying out of Toronto (and I had told her the day before that I wouldn't see here because we didn't have time to come out and check back in. Hooray for life's little surprises!
Toronto to Frankfurt was another smooth, albeit long flight. I don't sleep well on planes... which was great when we landed at 9am and I hadn't slept in some 24 hours. But it was just fantastic being back in Germany. I loved being able to speak German again and I managed to eat just about everything on my list. First stop of the day: a café to delve once more into the deliciousness that is German bread! Mmmm.
After a quick nap at the airport, we took off on the last leg of the journey: Frankfurt to Johannesburg! A late night departure had us landing at 10:00 am in South Africa. It was the day that just wouldn't end! Luckily enough, all our luggage showed up, so we hopped on a bus (driving on the left too!!) and drove over to Heronbridge - the retreat centre we're doing orientation at.
It's just lovely here in South Africa - green, warm and full of bird-song. Not that I was aware of any of it until the second day we were here. I don't think I've ever been that jet-lagged in my life! At dinner I couldn't even remember what hand I normally hold my knife in.
These past couple days have been great for hanging out, catching up on what happened over Christmas, learning to breathe through my nose again (goodbye allergies!), and filling everyone in on what's going to happen this semester.
But the highlight so far? Driving over to the mall. Let me tell you... it's really really weird shifting with your left hand. And I couldn't find my blinker to save my life. But I had a really really clean windshield!
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| all chipper as we head out of Winnipeg |
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| loosing steam in Frankfurt |
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| bus time!! (this is how we travel around SA) |
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| on our last legs at Heronbridge (can you tell we're exhausted?!) |
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| group Rock, Paper, Scissors with a twist |
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