South Africa at last!

After roughly 32 hours of traveling, I finally arrived in South Africa. As nervous as I was about arriving here, I have to say, I couldn't have been happier when that plane finally touched down. The flight from Frankfurt was again, just as I like it, uneventful. It was a 747, a first for me. The seats on this flight practically laid flat, which was fantastic! I probably got about 6 hours of sleep, which has helped in getting me caught up on this new time zone.

After arriving and going through customs, I met up with my driver. He was super friendly and even drove me the long way to the hotel so that I could see Johannesburg. He pointed out some landmarks, including a gold mine that is no longer up and running, the local University, and the prison...a place I told him I had no desire to see the inside of.

Upon arriving at the hotel, the only rooms available were smoking rooms, so I said, after waiting this long for a bed, I could wait another 30 minutes. They gave me breakfast on the house for being so cooperative (good deal for me!) My room was all ready about 15 minutes after I finished breakfast, and it was a welcome site. This is a very contemporary hotel, and all the employees are very hospitable. It was great to finally take a shower and lay down for a bit. On a side note, the phone in my room looks like the one DJ had on "Full House," you know what I'm talking about!



After a little nap, I wandered out and about. I am staying in a complex called "Monte Casino." It totally reminds me of Las Vegas, mostly the Venetian, as the Italian theme is very prevalent. There are lots of restaurants, bars, and shops. They of course also have a huge casino with the typical games.

Outside in a big piazza, they had a huge TV set up where they had South Africa v. Whales playing in a rugby match. The place was packed and everyone was decked out in green and gold. I decided to do some people and rugby watching at a little wine bar I saw. I had to use my cell phone to look up Rugby rules as the game totally threw me for a loop. In the end I found myself just smiling when everyone was cheering...figured I'd blend in better that way!



I then had dinner at a great little Italian restaurant that is right outside my hotel. I am definitely concurring my fear of asking for a "table for 1." I enjoyed a nice Shiraz and a bowl of gnocchi with a gorgonzola cheese sauce. Yum!

Afterwards, I decided to take in a movie, so I went to see "Sex and the City." It was quite good, and my apologies to those I said I'd see it with back home. I promise, I'll go again! I just really needed to do something "normal" after two days of being in foreign places alone.

I might add that everything is quite inexpensive here. My dinner, with tax and tip, was only $16.00 and my movie ticket was roughly $4.00. Rachel Ray would have a field day down here on her $40!!

Tomorrow I head to Secunda for the "work" part of this trip. Goodnight!