Finally Arrived!

Well I'm finally here. I can't say that the trip here wasn't eventful! The first flight from Orlando to DC was very bumpy and about half way thru the trip there was a very strong electrical smell on the plane. Everyone was looking around with fear and the flight attendants were up and down the isle trying to figure out the cause. Needless to say, I was a bit worried. Come to find out it was some cooling fan that was burning up or something...so they found the source of the electrical issue and cut the fan off.

DC to Johannesburg....well...the flight was pretty good! South African Airways, which I flew last time was awesome. They are very attentive to all the passengers, the food is very good (I still can't get used to their diet sodas), they always have a lot of movies to choose from....they definitely make the long flight as pleasant as possible. The Airbus that I was on has two seats on the left a row of 4 seats in the middle and then two seats on the other side. I was on the aisle of the row of 4 seats and there was another passenger on the other aisle and the two seats between us stayed empty...so I had some room to stretch out!

We are finally starting to descend and I put my TV screen on an outside camera, under the plane so I can see us land. So I'm watching...and watching...and watching....the runway is getting closer and closer and I'm feeling relief that I'll be able to get off this godforsaken plane for a couple hours and stretch. Right as the runway looks very close...I feel the pilot pull up on the plane and the airstrip is going away....away....away........then our Captain in his friendly, calming British accent says, "my apologies, but we just had one of our hydraulics go out...no worries though, happily enough the other two are still working. We will loop around and go to another runway that is a bit longer, but please don't be alarmed when you see the emergency equipment on the ground." PERFECT!

So now I'm starting to panic....hydraulic out....longer runway...emergency vehicles...this cannot be good!!! So I decide to turn off the TV screen showing the landing....I didn't want to see what we were headed for. The plane landed, with what felt normal...but we went...and went...and went down the runway and then one quick slam of the breaks...we all jerked forward...but the plane stopped and everyone applauded. I was very happy to get on the ground and off that plane.

Trip from Jo-Burg to Cape Town was uneventful. THANKFULLY! I sat next to some really cool teenager from Korea that just talked my ear off. He was very nice. As always a driver from Cross Cultural Solutions picks us up from the airport and I was elated to see it was my buddy Wonga! He was my driver the last time I was here, so it was wonderful to see a familiar face as soon as I got off the plane.

Of course, between the sleeping on and off on the plane and the 7 hour time difference, I was in bed reading, wide awake until about 4:30 a.m. and was up by 8:30 this morning to get ready for orientation and a town tour. As always, the group of volunteers here is awesome. Everyone is so nice and the staff here at the house is incredible. There are a few familiar faces from before and some new faces, but everyone is just awesome. As soon as Wonga opened the front door for me and I walked in.....ahhhh.....I felt like I was home. I wish I could explain this attachment I have to this place. I'm not sure I understand it....after having only been here 3 weeks, two years ago....but I definitely feel connected to this place and felt instantly at home and at ease the moment I stepped in the door. I know I will continue to come back.

Tomorrow is the township tour. Same route and tour as last time, but I'm looking forward to going again. I'm anxious to see if there are any changes, and it's a day spent with the other new incoming volunteers.

Tuesday will be the first day at my volunteer placement and I can't wait to get back there and see those precious little faces.

Well...that's it for now. We just finished dinner and I'm going to sit out on our big porch and socialize with some of the other volunteers.

More tomorrow! :)

17 DAYS!!

The Public Affairs Office where I work did a small interview and this really cool and talented guy that works in our graphics department put together a collage of photos from my last trip and they are putting a piece together for the January Newsletter at work! YAY! The cool and talented guy goes by the name of Marcus Parker and outside of his work at TSD, he owns his own media production company, Park-Man Productions. Marc made this beautiful poster for me, for framing! It's awesome. If you have a need for any media products, give me a jingle...take a look for yourself! I think you'll agree!! Marc I can't thank you enough for the beautiful poster!

I really am touched by everyone's support and encouragement!

I just can't believe I leave in 2 1/2 weeks! Where has the time gone!

I'm making my lists and checking them twice! It's so much easier this time round, since I know what to take this time! I already got my Airborne! Found an online pharmacy where it was much cheaper than the $6 and change at Walgreens! And the shipping was minimal!! I feel pretty confident that my twice per day Airborne is what kept me pretty healthy last time. I got my Nalgene bottle and my Bug repellent with the recommended Deet level. I should be receiving my airline ticket in the mail anyday now and should also be receiving comfirmation of my volunteer assignment.

I'm debating on whether or not to ship some Diet Pepsi there this week! They have Diet Pepsi but the artificial sweetner they use if different and I don't like it too much. So I thought maybe I would ship over a case now and it should be there when I arrive or very shortly thereafter. Or can I live without Diet Pepsi for a month...hmmm.....

I'm very very excited, yet a little bit apprehensive. I have to admit...I'm not exactly looking forward to the very long flight! DC to Johannesburg is about a 17 hour flight! Ugh! But I really can't wait to get there!

I've picked up all my odds and ends and started lining it up on the dining room table. My Magic Jack, my power adapter, my vitamins, meds, toiletries, my book, my audio books, etc. I've gotten my H1N1 shot...all other shots are still good from last time...all I really have left to do is pack up my clothing and my odds and ends.

So what's in store the next couple weeks? Wrapping up things at work, celebrating Tyler's 19th birthday a couple weeks early (since I'll be gone when it's actually here), participating in our Wednesday Family Night Wii Rockband nights, a few dates with a few of my girlfriends before I leave, and quality time with my family....a pretty full plate....so the next couple weeks will also fly!

I'll update again as soon as my placement has been confirmed! In the meantime, be safe and love to you all!