Single Digit Countdown!

            The countdown is officially in the single digits! In nine days, on May 27^th, my next international adventure begins! I have six more shifts at work before leaving. I have reservations at two hostels set up and paid off, my foreign currency order came in two days ago, and my airport transfer to my hostel in Cape Town is set up. In short, time for sharing my itinerary for my next trip! As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve worked a very exciting, special experience into this trip, but I’ve decided to leave that a surprise for now! Now, without further ado, here’s a rough itinerary of what my next adventure will look like:

            Next Sunday, May 27^th, I fly out of San Antonio- my first layover is in Minneapolis, which is an airport I’ve never been to before, but I’ve heard that it’s a pretty big one. From there, after about a one hour layover, I board another plane destined for my special, secret destination! I arrive at this place at 8:15 am (local time) on May 28^th. From then on I have almost exactly 72 hours to explore and enjoy that city. So far I have my hostel booked, but that’s all that’s officially nailed down so far. There’s a lot of cool stuff to do in this place though, so I seriously doubt I’ll be bored!

            After three days there, at ten am on May 31^st I get on another plane and fly down to Cape Town. That flight takes a little over eleven hours- I arrive at the Cape Town airport at 9:15 that night. From there I’ve arranged a transfer from the airport to Atlantic Point, the hostel where I’ve stayed three times before. Atlantic Point was the first hostel I ever stayed at, and it was where I spent my very first night in Africa. I really love that hostel and can’t wait to be back! The next day, on June first, I’ll get picked up from the hostel by White Shark Projects and head back down to Gansbaai, which will be my home for the next month! Of all the places I’ve been in the world, Gansbaai is definitely my favorite. Not only is it just a beautiful little town, but it really has come to feel like a second home. I’m familiar with the area, I know a lot of people there, I know the grocery stores, and I love being so close to the water. After spending another four weeks volunteering at White Shark Projects, on June 29^th I head back home. For that trip, I’m doing the Cape Town to Johannesburg to Atlanta route, which I’ve done multiple times before. That long 16-hour flight is never pleasant, but I’ve survived it four times already.

            So, that’s a rough outline of what my next trip looks like. I’m super excited to see the White Shark Projects’ Crew again, as well as the other returning volunteers. I’m really looking forward to having some classic South African braais, going back to doing my regular beach cleans, and of course, seeing the sharks again! Nine days until I fly out! This post’s food for thought: “There is no moment of delight in any pilgrimage like the beginning of it.”- Charles Dudley Warner