Advancing Toward London

We departed from Cleveland today, now at Dulles Airport outside of Washington, D.C. with a six hour layover. Then we got lucky. We managed to sweet-talk our way into the United Global First Class Lounge even though we are not technically flying first class. 

Works for me. If you have to spend many hours in an airport, this is the way to do it.

Why visit South Africa?

For all three of us (Eric, Jessica & and Jessica’s sister Erica) this will be our first visit to Africa.  Why South Africa?

For years we have heard about the incomparable beauty of South Africa. Our family friend Paula grew up in South Africa and spoke often of her love of the country of her birth. We met Paula’s father Derek, who had an apple farm outside of Cape Town, and we met other members of Paula’s family.  We learned how to make Paula’s family recipe for bobotie, the national dish of South Africa.

We read books about South Africa—Disgraced by JM Coetzee, Born A Crime by Trevor Noah, Collected Short Stories of Nadine Gordimer, My Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela, and The Covenant by James Michener.

South Africa has a unique history and culture. What we thought would never happen in our lifetimes — the end of apartheid — happened.  Like the rest of the world, we watched in amazement as Nelson Mandela, imprisoned for 27 years, 18 years on Robben Island, triumphed to become the first president of a post-apartheid South Africa in 1994 — this revolution occurring without bloodshed or a protracted civil war.  South Africa is a walking illustration of the power of a nonviolent movement.

All of these exposures to South African life cultivated our interest in this country. Still, a visit to South Africa would have remained on the back burner but for a small article in the HeightsObserver about group trips to South Africa organized by Cleveland Heights neighbors Jan and Gus Kious. This community-minded, civically active couple offered reasonably priced, 21-day small group trips to Jan’s home country twice a year with their mom and pop operation, South African Journeys.  Jan and Gus love South Africa and want to share this country with others. We signed up for the April trip.

 And so, the adventure begins, and the three of us partner again

 . . .

Jessica

Another 21 Months Later. Europe and South Africa 2018

Our travel blog lives! On the eve of Easter and April fools day, Eric, Jessica and Erica are again departing the USA for a great adventure. Jessica and I will be going to London for five nights to visit our wonderful five month old grand niece, the daughter of our niece Emily who is the daughter of Jessica's brother Corky and his wife Judi. Jessica's sister Erica will be traveling from Oakland CA to London to join us. Together, we will see the sights and visit with our former exchange student Grischa, his wife Ayla and their three children.

The three of us will then fly to Cape Town, South Africa and spend the next 20 days traveling around South Africa with the Kious family. Janet is a native of South Africa, and loves her country. Jessica and I will then fly from Johannesburg to Amsterdam where we will spend four nights before returning to the states at the end of April. Our travel maps out something like this.

Depending on access to good internet connections and having too much time on hand, I will do my level best to keep anyone who wishes to follow our travels up to date. Stay tuned!