So Long – Farewell!

At 3:43 this morning (now yesterday morning as I am writing this) the phone in our room rang.  I hear Susie say. “You have the wrong room.” Yes we got someone else’s wake up call.  Maybe one meant for Mindy and Steve.  Certainly not for us.  We had stayed awake a little later last night know that today would be a long two days for us.  Of course, even though I had taken a second Tylenol PM just an hour before, I could not get back to sleep.  I had to take a second one because the first one didn’t work.  Phew! Bad timing to the max!

We got our act together and went down to breakfast late.  I did stop by the desk and after confirming that it was not an automated call or based on an automated request let them know just how much we did not appreciate it.

We wanted to eat late just because with today’s schedule we need to be fully fueled when we leave the hotel at 11:00 a.m. Bonnie, Fred, Linda, and we breakfasted together.  We heard more about the adventures they had yesterday.  The dining room was getting crowded so we decided to meet up with Bonnie and go across to the vendors to find some beads that Susie had liked.

Bundled up against the high wind and blowing rain we dodged falling canopies and flying plywood to look for a giraffe etched ostrich egg for Bonnie. When we didn’t find it we decided we were too early and went to the Food Market Café instead.  This neat store had very delicious looking fresh food at very good prices and lots of options for deli breakfast or lunch. Even a Sushi bar was getting ready for the days service. We didn’t buy anything but if they had had Jujubes, I would have stocked up at those prices!

We tried again to check out the stalls in the square.  There are crews that set up for the store owners and they were really having a very difficult time.  Loud crashes had Susie jumping.  We found the Ostrich egg.  The seller had not yet set up but someone knew right where they were.  Bonnie loved her ecru etched egg.  She plans to put a light in it.  It will be so unique.

Susie found her beads and I succumbed and bought some for Maddie T.  I found some unique boxes that are shaped like Africa but have secret openings.  We hurried out of the cold but back at the hotel I agreed to help Iva find the same boxes, so back we went into the weather.  By the time we were finished it was time to make one last visit to the room and gather our stuff so we would be good to go.

Ian fetched us with the van and off we went.  It is about a half hour or more to the airport. When we got there, there were more hugs curbside and then porters took our bags to the check in counter for us.  Everyone else was on South African Air but we went to British Air.  Our flight was thirty minutes after the group was scheduled to leave.

Our porter took Susie and I to the BA counter and no one was in the line.  We were both very excited that the young lady offered to check our bags all the way through to Atlanta!  Yea!  We had understood that we would have to claim them in Joburg and go through the check in hassle again.  So tired of feeling like a pack mule. With other tour companies I have traveled once you arrive you do not touch your bags again!  Since I keep my electronics and souvenirs, and until today any medications and first aid, with me in my backpack, that is a heavy load.  My personal bag has my passport, money, tablet, a book, aspirin, cameras etc.  Also a growing weight.

As we approached the security line, a gentleman opened a new gate and ushered us right through to a waiting line.  No problem, no waiting, no hassle.  IS this to become a magical ride?

We found our gate, A8, after stopping in the Duty Free Shop to buy Amurula, and settled in for the two hour wait.  OAT is super cautious with airport time.  After we had checked out the nearby rest room, a few shops, and were reading, we noticed the other group had arrived at Gate A7.  They were delayed mainly by visiting the booth to reclaim the VAT taxes on their purchases.  Susie and I did not buy things that qualified for that.

Vitalis spotted us and came over to say good bye and to chat.  Soon Bonnie, Linda, Fred, Kay, and Bud joined us.  What fun and how nice to know that we will be missed by so many.  And we will miss them.  When their flight was called we all again hugged and they left.  Although their plane was still there when we boarded for our flight.  They were apparently delayed by the fact that there were not available gates in Johannesburg, as we were also delayed about 20 minutes.

Our Delta flight was totally full.  Unlike those on South African Air who have to stop in Dakar for refueling and then in Dulles to go through customs and catch their domestic flights after being already on the plane for close to 20 hours, our flight was a non-stop 16 hour trip to Atlanta.  Sixteen hours is the longest flight any aircraft can make without refueling.

So non-stop was the good thing.  The bad thing is that it was cloudy dark when we took off and quickly was actually night time since our flight left at 8:10 (actual time was 8:19). And we chased the sun for more than fifteen hours and never caught it.  It reminded me of those nights when you have trouble sleeping and keep waking up or keep checking the clock to find out that only ten or twenty minutes have passed.  Those nights of distress that seem endless and as though dawn will never come.  Our flight was an endless night!

Dinner was served about two hours into the flight and I chose some sort of beef and potatoes that actually taste pretty good.  I took my Tylenol PM shortly after that but never did really fall asleep despite being by the window where I tried to make a nest like comfortable spot. Susie read in the aisle seat.  A very tall man flying to a new consulting job in Bermuda watched movies and slept soundly between us.  His long legs bent to my side and his long arms taking up the arm rest completely.  I only disturbed him a few times for a trip to the lavatory and to stretch my legs. 

I guess I should change my choices to aisle for these long flights.  But if I do that I miss the excitement of seeing the approaching coastlines and fairy lights of the cities.  And this flight was no different.  After taking more Tylenol at about one, I dozed on and off for an hour until at about two a flashlight shone in my eyes.  The flight attendant was checking the seat numbers in order to hand out the special diet snacks.  Our snack was brought to us about 2:00.  A bag of cheese crackers, a cookie and a banana.  We also had a drink option and I chose my usual hot tea.

While flying I was writing to catch up on this blog.  Some of those updates were posted this morning.

Lights were switched on, warm disposable towelettes were passed out and breakfast was served at 4:30 a.m., some 30 hours after we were first awakened in Cape Town. Luckily they did not run out of Apple Crepes which were actually quite good.  Pretty sure an omelet would not have sat well with me.

Soon I could see the coast of South Carolina at Georgia.  Hilton Head Island was distinguishable in the deep pre-dawn darkness.  Lights surrounding the darkness of lawns and trees.  Golf courses only distinguishable by the slight glow of the white sand traps in neat organization.

I blocked as much of the cabin light as possible to watch with an amazement that never ends for me as we flew over vast open land and twinkling tiny towns.  Atlanta approached and the blue-white light of the homes and stores sparkled beneath.  The amber of traditional street lamps outlined roads and subdivisions.  The headlights of moving vehicles working their way toward the big city in the pre-rush hour rush moved rhythmically below us.  Then the city itself magically appeared.  I recognized the highways already busy and the buildings lighted to please and represent wealth and power.  Then the airport.

We arrived about a half hour early which meant we were at least 30 minutes ahead of those who had left two hours before us to Dulles. But everyone has long said that Customs in Atlanta is a pain.  This time was different.  On board they said US passengers proceed to the kiosks while those traveling on Visas go to the lines.  So I dutifully went to the first kiosks I saw and tried to process my entry.  Just as I realized that I was in the wrong place, Susie came back to point out that these kiosks were for the TSA Pre-Approved passengers. 

We entered the correct line but Susie had been looking for a rest room.  I asked the person managing the line if there was somewhere that she could use and then rejoin me in the line.  She left her backpack with me and he took her off.  She soon returned before I had gone far.

By the time we got to the end of the line they had changed shifts and restarted using the 40 or so kiosks.  You slide in your passport, check the info, answer the questions and take your picture.  I had to stand on my tiptoes to be seen in the photo window.  The machine spits out a receipt and you then enter the second line.  At the end of this you present your passport as always and show your receipt to the attending officer.  He matches the receipt photo to your passport picture and your actual face.

After being cleared and stamped for re-entry, the next stop was baggage claim.  My bag was just passing and Susie grabbed it.  Hers quickly arrived also.  Now for line three.  Present your receipt to the waiting official and you are free at last.  You come out of baggage claim right at the exit of Terminal F.

I had texted Katie from the plane that we had landed.  We went outside, across the taxi line, to the passenger pick up and found a bench.  I called Katie who was on her way.  It took her a few extra minutes to make it all the way to the International Terminal which is not at the same exit as the rest of the airport.  I had thought that is where she always met Dave when he returned from Afghanistan but turns out he would use the shuttle to return to the Red Parking rooftop.  I was glad though not to have to schlep my bags onto a shuttle bus to do that.  Our airport is three years old but the train does not return from International to Domestic.  A tiny little fifteen passenger shuttle does that.  Not convenient considering how many people pass through Hartsfield – Jackson International every day!

Katie took us to Christine’s where she was racing out the door for carpool number two of the day.  Susie and I loaded up my car with our bags and my Skeeter for the 25 minute drive to good old Echo Mill.  A hug in her driveway and the attempt to return to normal life began.