Day 1
Toronto – Frankfurt, Frankfurt – Johannesburg, Jo’burg – Hlotse. Our layover in Frankfurt was long, and as both flights were overnight, we booked a hotel room for the day and snoozed. Smart! Best $80 we’ve ever spent. The Lufthansa airline food left much to be desired. Okay, it was gross!
The last leg was in a rental car which, not unlike a clown car, was crammed so full we turned heads. Did I mention the three massive hockey bags full of gear and shows, and three personal bags? Our electric blue car is a hatchback so with one seat flopped down, Stew folded into the front seat, me crammed into the back, and Dean in the right side driver’s seat we set off.
The drive south to Lesotho was rather like the Prairies – flat, and fairly dull in the scheme of things, though we did spot three ostriches. As we approached the border the mountains appeared and the terrain changed completely. It’s rocky with red soil, and beautiful.
The border crossing was a breeze and our first real challenge of the day was interpreting mum’s directions to the guesthouse. Oh – that, and not killing anyone. Once in town, the streets are fair game for man, child and animal, plus engine-free vehicles, goods for sale, chunks of rock and pot holes the size of a mule.
Mum had assumed we’d cross at a different border so once we worked out how to reverse her specific guidelines (“Turn right when you see the Shoprite sign on your left. Pull into the convent/driving school driveway and park near the tree.”) We finally located the bumpy dirt path leading into the convent, driving school and guesthouse, our home for the night.
Our big surprise, that is, the arrival of brother Stew, elicited the desired response. Mum’s head popped off and I have the photos to prove it.
Our dinner consisted of baked potatoes and grated cheese, plus peaches and yogurt. Odd. Hysterical actually, especially since we were all overtired and giddy. We spent the evening unpacking, counting and pairing the donated running shoes (with footwear from Reebok and New Balance, our outstanding grand total is 66) and mum planned for their distribution.
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2 comments:
Good plan staying at a hotel in Frankfurt, it just gets too hectic on such a long flight to Johannesburg.
Have you guys heard about that card that gets you into any business lounge in any airport in the world? I havd a friend who used his after his flight to joburg
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