Greetings from Cape Town!

            Hello from South Africa everybody! I’m writing this blog post from my bunk here at Atlantic Point, the same hostel I stayed at last time I was in Cape Town. I got in at about ten o’clock last night, after traveling for more than 24 straight hours from San Antonio. The first flight, to Atlanta, was a breeze as it usually is. I’ve flown through the Atlanta airport multiple times in the last few years, but I always forget how huge that airport is. Thankfully, with the help of the rail that runs through the place, I got to my gate with time to spare. Then the real fun began!

            The last time I flew from Atlanta to Johannesburg, I’m pretty sure the flight was completely booked up. This one definitely wasn’t. Thankfully, there was an empty seat right next to me. I was in the aisle seat, which I had wanted, so the girl at the window seat and I shared the extra space in between us. Because I was able to spread out a bit more, I think I did get a little bit of sleep on that fifteen and a half hour flight. That, plus Delta’s in flight entertainment options, helped those hours pass bearably. The only issue was the flight actually ended up being about twenty minutes late getting to Johannesburg. My layover was already only an hour and a half, so I was cutting it close! I’ve never missed a flight in my life, but last night I came pretty close. I found myself literally running through the Johannesburg airport, unsure if I would get to my gate in time. Thankfully, with the help of a porter, I made it just in time.

            When I got seated on the last flight, I noticed something- the smell. I hadn’t noticed it on my first trip here, but South Africa has a smell! I’ve heard that smell is the sense most closely related to memory, and as I breathed in the South African air, a million memories rushed back to me.

            That last flight was also really easy, and shortly after nine o’ clock last night, I touched down in Cape Town. I had no trouble meeting up with the airport transfer I set up, and soon enough, I was coasting down Nelson Mandela Boulevard (I think every city in South Africa has one of those), headed to my hostel. After checking in, getting a quick tour around, dropping my bags, and taking a quick shower, I was ready to go to bed. Ten at night South Africa time is two in the afternoon San Antonio time, but after getting very little sleep the previous night, I was ready to pass out! When I woke up this morning, my body was on South Africa time.

            So far this morning I’ve had the complimentary breakfast here at Atlantic Point (while chatting with two other travelers from Holland), and explored the hostel a bit more. I’m heading out in a bit to catch my tour of Robben Island, but wanted to type up this blog post first. I’m sure I’ll make another post about this tour tomorrow, or maybe even later today- two blog posts in a day, think of that! I’m so happy to be back in Africa! This post’s food for thought: “To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.”- Freya Stark