long journey home
As written on the back of a used Etihad e-ticket and typed while passing time in Abu Dhabi airport at 4.30am
I'm sitting in Johannesburg International airport having enjoyed a Cape Malay chicken curry courtesy of Etihad airlines who have just added 6hrs to my already gruelling 24hr journey. Thus, it is taking me 30hrs to complete, what should be, a straighforward 15hr trip. I'm already emotional having left my family behind so it's no wonder tears prick my eyes when the lady at security confiscates my Rooibos Facial Wash (amateur mistake ... I'd tried to bypass the 100ml liquid rule). Her consoling words, "Ay, eet weel bee orkay, mummy" were of little comfort. They're so friendly in Africa. Still, sometimes I really hate flying.
The rest of my trip was enjoyable. I was glad to see Africa was as I left it; "Africa time" (GMT +1-2 x4 +6-3), the PE beachfront, Steri Stumpie milkshakes and my grandparents house in Cotswold remain unchanged.
There's something about returning to "The Friendly City" that brings me down to Earth. I might live in one of the biggest, busiest cities in the world but a great chunk of my heart lies in the city where the wind starts to blow at 11am, 360 days a year. I cherish coming back to the place I called home for so long, spending time with my grandparents, eating Red Windmill ice-cream and staring out of Nans' lounge window hoping to spot a Southern Right Whale or a school of dolphins. I also find that I depart from SA feeling like one of the aforementioned whales thanks to Nans' relentless offerings of cakes and cookies, Grandpa keeping me in constant supply of biltong, Mug & Bean's giant muffins and scrumptious seafood - the best of which is found at Trawlers take-away in JBay.
However, this time was about more than visiting family and indulging. I also had the privilege of watching my long-time friend, Vanessa, walk down the aisle to marry Marcus at the elegantly rustic Plantation in Sardinia Bay.
So, despite my current frustrations and eagerness to see my husband, on reflection, some things are worth a mere 58hr roundtrip.
I'm sitting in Johannesburg International airport having enjoyed a Cape Malay chicken curry courtesy of Etihad airlines who have just added 6hrs to my already gruelling 24hr journey. Thus, it is taking me 30hrs to complete, what should be, a straighforward 15hr trip. I'm already emotional having left my family behind so it's no wonder tears prick my eyes when the lady at security confiscates my Rooibos Facial Wash (amateur mistake ... I'd tried to bypass the 100ml liquid rule). Her consoling words, "Ay, eet weel bee orkay, mummy" were of little comfort. They're so friendly in Africa. Still, sometimes I really hate flying.
The rest of my trip was enjoyable. I was glad to see Africa was as I left it; "Africa time" (GMT +1-2 x4 +6-3), the PE beachfront, Steri Stumpie milkshakes and my grandparents house in Cotswold remain unchanged.
There's something about returning to "The Friendly City" that brings me down to Earth. I might live in one of the biggest, busiest cities in the world but a great chunk of my heart lies in the city where the wind starts to blow at 11am, 360 days a year. I cherish coming back to the place I called home for so long, spending time with my grandparents, eating Red Windmill ice-cream and staring out of Nans' lounge window hoping to spot a Southern Right Whale or a school of dolphins. I also find that I depart from SA feeling like one of the aforementioned whales thanks to Nans' relentless offerings of cakes and cookies, Grandpa keeping me in constant supply of biltong, Mug & Bean's giant muffins and scrumptious seafood - the best of which is found at Trawlers take-away in JBay.
However, this time was about more than visiting family and indulging. I also had the privilege of watching my long-time friend, Vanessa, walk down the aisle to marry Marcus at the elegantly rustic Plantation in Sardinia Bay.
So, despite my current frustrations and eagerness to see my husband, on reflection, some things are worth a mere 58hr roundtrip.
Labels: south africa, travel
posted by foxy_roxtar at 5:37 PM
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