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BIG Travel Day

8/13/2013

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[Note added Friday, Aug 16: Sorry we haven't been posting. Our days are packed full. And internet is spotty at best - must put laptop in certain position in room with foot up in the air & tongue hanging out of mouth and hold breath. So here goes ...]

Backtracking to Tuesday,August 13th, we left New York in a downpour with a 15 hr flight ahead of us. Here is a summary of the flight:
Hours 1-5: OK no problem - I got this. Eat dinner. Read e-book. Listen to music with noise cancelling headphones (Note: headphones definitely worth it).
Hour 6: Person in front of me reclines for the rest of the flight and takes a lot of valuable square inches from the already miniscule personal space of my claustrophic self. :-(
Hours 7-10: Is it just me or is it getting really hot in here. Why isn't there a personal air vent? Try to sleep. Try to find comfortable position. Try to sleep. Forget it - watch movie.
Hours 11-12: Hit the wall. Let me out of this plane - PLEASE. Where is the exit? 
Hour 13: Sleep for a full 15 minutes then get awaken by the flight crew serving snacks.
Hours 14-15: Watch "Life of Pi" and envy the fact he is stuck on a lifeboat with a Tiger. That doesn't really sound so bad in comparison - at least he had fresh air and leg room. And he didn't have to go through passport control, security, etc.

Wednesday, August 14th: We land at 6:30 a.m.
OK, I did survive the flight and we did get through the passport inspection and our bags did finally arrive. But we are EXTREMELY tired, unshowered, and hungry. Starting to wonder why I left my comfortable rut, my comfort zone ... 

And then we are greeted in the airport terminal by local friends who volunteered to greet every flight that had delegates attending the convention. They had a welcome desk, transportation arranged for us to Pretoria (about 30 miles from Johannesburg airport), a choir singing beautifully a cappella, and lots of hugs. Long flight forgotten. :-)
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The Adventure Begins

8/10/2013

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Sunday, August 11: FINALLY we are on our way! It is so stressful getting everything done & ready especially the week before. But after all the months of planning, we are in the air. A trip just doesn't feel real until the plane takes off.

We flew over our home after take off. [I waved to you, KeikiBoo, hope you saw me.]  :)

Today's agenda: 1) Travel: Reno to Salt Lake, get an overprice lunch at the airport, SLC to JFK in New York & get to the hotel. 2) Be cool and remember to breathe.


Monday, August 12: We've learned from previous trips that a "decompression day" is very important. So today we slept in (much needed after the long hours at work we've been pulling just to get out of town) and now we are handling final trip & work details before we take off tomorrow. 

The parts I am least looking forward to: 1) leaving my grandbaby behind and missing her first day of school, 2) airports - esp security-ugh!, and 3) the 15+ hour flight.

What I am most looking forward to: 1) meeting lots of new friends at the convention - esp. the children, 2) going on a safari, and 3) experiencing a new culture & new foods! Yep. That about covers it.


PROLOUGE:
Mike & I have been invited to be delegates to the Special (International) Convention of Jehovah's Witnesses in Pretoria, South Africa, in August. There will be 1500 international delegates from the United States and other African countries as well as several thousand local South African Witnesses. The convention is three days and we will spend three additional days spending time with local friends.

After the convention, we will enjoy time at a wildlife reserve near Kruger National Park and end our trip by spending a few days in Cape Town. (See the stars on the map.) 

This is a once in a lifetime trip and we are so excited to be going
. :-D
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    South Africa

    Pretoria Convention
    Kirkmans Camp Safari
    Cape Town
    Cape of Good Hope
    Stellenbosch 

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    Ginny & Mike

    Bestest travel buddies - EVER! 

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