Last night Janka was very teary and asked to go along to the airport this morning. Dropping me off, it was a question of hugs and kisses to Janka and Jan, followed by more hugs and kisses. With Janka telling me how brave I am and that I am the best mom in the world, I made my way to check in.
The 1Time pilot made a wide turn over the False Bay, and I could almost see our house! Flying up into the sunrise, I am greeted with a most amazing scene. What a way to start my journey.
Arriving in Johannesburg on time.
But then the Kenya airways flight to Nairobi was delayed by 5 hours, which meant that I missed my connecting flight! Fortunately I could get a later connecting flight which meant only arriving at the hotel at about 1am!!!
The flight delay gave me an opportunity to do something I love: reading and drinking coffee! The Horse Boy is a book about an autistic boy and his somewhat hippy parents. His parents initially to provide all the usual therapies for autism (which is still a relatively unknown mental illness). When nothing works, they decide to travel to Mongolia to find the reindeer shamaan. They go through a variety of rituals with various shamaan - even being whipped! Crazy, crazy people. And although the things they did go against my own religious beliefs, I admire them for what they went through in order to help their son and realised that as parents we often do crazy things for our children.
Arriving in Nairobi 5 hours late
Arriving at Nairobi airport, the contrast between SA and the rest of Africa hits you right in the face. Literally, as there is no working aircon and hardly any seats for hundreds of waiting passsengers. And yes, as you could guess, the connecting flight to Kilimanjaro was also delayed!
Having finished my book on the Nairobi flight already, I had some time to reflect on what exactly I am doing here. I know I am as ready as I can be, and realise that I am really looking forward to this journey
Arriving at Kilimanjaro - no luggage!
All these delays didn't even annoy me - I was just grateful to get to Kilimanjaro.
Next hiccup! My luggage didn't arrive... With a slight possibility that the bag will come with the first flight in the morning, I leave for my next journey to the hotel… Quite annoyed that the airline cannot even tell me where my bag is, I can just pray it will be here first thing in the morning.
The guide keeps saying: Be happy! Happiness makes you warm. And I reply back: you have it the wrong way round: being warm makes you happy... Let's see if the next day will bring both warmth and happiness.
... no, Jan Truter said: I know what it feels like not having your luggage. Exactly the same thing happened to me last year when I went to Kilimanjaro. Being told that it does arrive the next day 95% of the time does not help that much. What a relief to abandon the contingency plans of having to buy new clothes and hire other gear when the luggage eventually arrives!
ReplyDeleteFinally I have managed to link !!
ReplyDeleteWas updated by Jan yesterday re all your delays and have now read about it first hand. Take heart dear friend .... as they say ..... "this is Africa" ..... our Africa.
Janka was in chipper spirits yesterday at the show and was happily chatting to me about your amazing adventure so yup ......... as a mom you have made it!!
Every step takes you closer to home again!
Hopefully your luggage arrived and you are currently on your way.
You're in our thoughts and prayers all the way! I believe you will get up there and come back safely - even without any luggage! S
ReplyDeleteHope luggage arrived on time. I believe you have the physical strength and strength of character to climb that mountain. You are constantly in my prayers. L
ReplyDelete