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 (at about Noon). [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 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
We flew over our home after take off (at about Noon). [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 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
