Day 1 & 2

It's 9:27 pm and we're settled in a comfortable resort in Johannesburg, about 5 minutes from the airport. It seems like it's been a long time since meeting in the Des Moines airport Thursday morning at 9:30 am. After a flight to Atlanta, with barely enough time to make our connection, we boarded to Johannesburg, stopping in Dakar. While in my mind I knew a 24 hour flight would be long, I had no idea just how long it would feel.

Luckily we each had a little personal touch screen on the seat in front of us to watch movies, tv, play games, and follow our route along the way. Let it be known that Donna Scarfe is the ultimate trivia queen. I, personally, had a rough trip, coming off with no voice and a very upset stomach. Our landing felt like a 30 minute roller coaster, circling the stormy weather until the pilots found the smoothest route - which wasn't exactly smooth. The stop in Dakar was quite an experience with safety officers boarding and ripping up the velcro seats to check for who knows what. It felt a bit chaotic, especially since it was 4 am at the time and wherever we moved we seemed to be in the way.

After arriving in Johannesburg, we each converted some cash and piled into vans to head to our resort. We made it just in time for a quick meal, with the kitchen closing at 8:30 pm and I was lucky to notice the inconspicuous computer in the corner, which cost only 1 rand per minute (about $.05).

Unfortunately my photo card was not compatible with this computer and there is no wireless here, but we'll upload fun photos tomorrow!

Tomorrow we'll wake up, eat breakfast, and travel 5 hours by van to Mbabane, Swaziland. Cheers until then! Thanks for the thoughts and prayers!

Peace,
Lydia K.