Getting to Grahamstown

I am not that new to traveling considering my former job had me at Silver status, so going on a 18 hour flight seemed to be no problem at all.   Packing two suitcases with stuff to take me through 3 years the night before you leave, that was a bit of a problem.  However, Will staying up all night made it easier for him to sleep on the plane.   I though was a bit of a wreck stressed about us driving to JFK.  Luckily though dropping off the car and going through security was so much easier than EWR.   We made it to the flight with enough time to buy a muffin and go to the bathroom ( you know 15 min. to spare) despite the traffic on the drive to JFK.
On the flight the usual happened, I saw every corny movie I wouldn't even request on Netflix such as Liberal Arts, Pitch Perfect, and Ruby Sparks.  When we arrived in Joburg, it was great to read emails and grab a cup of coffee.  I ordered a macchito single, non-Starbucks sized, 4 oz. espresso cup.  I received an email from my new boss requesting a trip to India.  I was feeling more relaxed and important at the time.

We arrived with a quick flight from Joburg to PE including a wonderful view of the shoreline at the connection of the Indian ocean to the Cape of Good Hope area.  Our first tasks in Africa was to get a car.  In the pursuit to be African and a proud take charge kind of man Will requested a stick shift.  His anticipation of the event did not seem to have any effect on his nerves and ability to drive the Nissan we got.  After a rocky start of getting out of the airport and through two rotaries (translate NJ: circles) we ended up on the wrong side of the highway with no ability to reverse.  A bunch of street kids and I pushed our vehicle backward enough to realign the car then we ended up on a side street consulting the owner's manual.  Apparently you need to pull up the stick to reverse.  However, my nerves were fried probably more than the car's gears.  Admirably Will declared we needed (I was thinking "desperately") to get a manual, although I think his ego was a bit damaged.  With that change we were off on the road to Grahamstown.  Pass the port city it was rolling hills of ranching farmland.  I think of the California Cheese commercial with the happy cows.  It was like driving out of Mexico City to Toluca.  Yet, as we were in Africa so we saw an ostrich and a zebra farm.  I will keep the wildlife count at two. 

Getting to Grahamstown was easy.  My first meal was meat pie with kudu and raisins.   Our bed and breakfast has a nice setting, so I am happy with our choice.  The summer weather also reminds me of California.   I walked around campus for a bit with the tall stone buildings, bricked walkways, palm trees and flowers in bloom.  Not too bad a first day!