The Journey Inward

In my quest to arrive in South Africa healthy, I wore a mask from the time I boarded my plane at Dulles until the time I disembarked in Johannesburg, with the exception of eating and drinking. It has been years since I’ve worn a mask, let alone for that long. It was convenient when I napped on the plane, though, possibly hiding a yawning mouth or worse yet, drool.

Despite the distance and hours, I found both flights on Ethiopia Air to be comfortable and easy. I sat on the aisle for the first flight so I could get up and walk and stretch whenever I wanted. People moved a lot more on the 13+ hour flight to Addis Ababa than I have typically found on domestic or European flights. Also, they boarded the plane from back to front, which made it quite easy to take your seat. I wasn’t stowing anything overhead, but it didn’t seem like anybody had to send their luggage off to be checked.

Arriving in Ethiopia, my only experience of it was out the plane window and the airport windows. But I found it breathtaking with its undulating mountains, lush, green land, and sparkling city.

While waiting in line to board the second flight, I met a young woman who was returning home from Saudi Arabia. She lives in Durban and sung its praises. I took notes! She said everyone talks about Cape Town on the southern coast, but her town on the eastern coast has plenty of hiking and warm Indian Ocean water.

This last leg introduced me to many different languages amongst the crew and passengers. I enjoyed listening, though I understood no words.

My new principal picked me up from the airport. He told me about Cape Town and a beautiful drive down through something called the Garden Route. He and his family had also just returned from Zanzibar City and highly recommended it.

On our drive to my house, we passed cows and goats. My principal told me that where he lives 10 minutes from school, there are zebras in his backyard! There was nothing particularly unique about the areas we drove through. They could have been any city in any part of the world.

When I went out for a walk to get to know my neighborhood, everyone I passed was friendly. Every person made eye contact and said hello or more. The children were all cheery and waved to me and said, “Hi, ma’am.” Bats flew over my head as I walked and I heard one new bird, (Nerd Alert!) the common myna, which I identified after downloading the South African region on my bird app. There is a creature that flies around my house that sounds like a pterodactyl. I’m not saying it is, but I’m not saying it’s not.

This may be unique to my neighborhood, but there are several homes that blast loud music in the mornings and the evenings. I can’t say that it bothers me and I often enjoy the song choice. Tonight it sounded like somebody was singing karaoke to the music, and I decided I must meet that neighbor! I want in on that!

I successfully drove on the right side of the car on the left side of the road and navigated two roundabouts! I just kept chanting, Stay left! Stay left! It was easier than I thought, and the two security guards for my development were Impressed when I made it home from both of my outings!

I went to two grocery stores, Woolworths, or Woolly’s as it’s known, and Checkers. Woolly’s has more of an upscale vibe to it. There was an open air Italian restaurant in the shopping center, as well. I noticed a few of the restaurants I’ve seen have play areas for kids. Definitely nicer than a McDonald’s and not in a separate room.

My house has a clothes washer, but not a dryer and it’s also not a combo. I was fretting to my only friend in the country, Walter, and he said it’s not uncommon to have your ironing done by a domestic worker. Being that I won’t buy an article of clothing if it has to be ironed, this could be my splurge!

One final note…when the sun goes down in Africa, it is immediately pitch black. There’s no easing in or dusk or pink skies. It’s like someone turns off a light switch. I had saved my walk for this evening, but by 6:15 it was too dark.