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Published: February 6th 2011
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We started our drive from Lambert’s Bay, South Africa around 9am. We stopped for lunch at 1pm. We finally got to the border crossing around 3pm. It was pretty smooth considering John Locke told us that he has had many problems in the past with immigration folks. Ann, my wackadoo roommate couldn’t seem to figure out how to fill in the proper paperwork. This led us to believe that even though she speaks English, she may not be able to write in English. I offered my help several times, especially after she copied John Locke’s exact information. She went through 3 forms until she got it right.
We then had another hour until we reached our destination for the night which is located on the Orange River. The landscape from South Africa to Namibia is extremely different. It is almost a tad strange if you really want to know. The temperature increased about 15 degrees… it was about 101 degrees today.
So today wasn’t the best group day… I am started to sense it may not work out after all. I had a heart to heart with John Locke and he can’t stand that Ann doesn’t listen (or doesn’t
understand anything), Linda is a stuck up rich biatch (which makes me wonder why she is even doing a ‘budgetish’ tour like this one). Coleman insisted on taking up 3 seats of the entire row in our 2 row van as he wanted to stretch out. Until I burped up some vomit from being in the back row after my 4 hours of nausea did I ask to sit next to Coleman. He simply took my seat in the back.
Enough laughing/fake crying out loud while I type this as I don’t want these individuals to ruin my time or take away from what I am here doing… I have another 18 days with this group. John Locke is even pissed how GAP would book people in such bad shape on such a trip. He said once they gave him a guy in a wheelchair. He gave this guy a piggyback through the sand dunes. This was tough on him – but the company didn’t even know what the condition of this man was! I think everyone has the right to travel – young, old, handicapped… but find a tour that will suit your needs.
Travel agents out there – I am starting to think many of you are assholes. Know your client and know what they are looking for. Do not book an overweight man with a heart condition on a 20 day trip where the conditions are going to be rough. He can’t even participate in ½ the activities. Why come at all? Poor Coleman said to me today, I think this is my last trip… my body can’t take it anymore. This is sad as he has made his life about travel. If it were a different trip; perhaps it would be more suited to his needs and he wouldn’t stop his life dream… to see the world!
Ok, ok… enough about the pathetic drama and more about Africa. Today was the 1st day where the climate matches my expectations. It is rough, dry, and hot as hell… bugs everywhere. The place where we are staying is one of the last with air conditioning. We were supposed to be sleeping on the actual river; however due to flooding our accommodations are now under water! We got upgraded to the hotel like huts which I have to say are beautiful. Upon arrival I jumped into the pool and cooled off for a bit. After a cold shower (with the sun beating in) and a nice dinner I head back to my room.
On the walk back to the room, there are the loudest sounding frogs I have ever heard in my life! I thought of my dear friend LBJ… only if my camera took some night pictures, she would have loved those darn frogs!
I am about to get into bed and there they are… spiders! There are tons of little spiders all over the bed. Urghhh – John Locke told us all to buy this spray that you are supposed to spray before you bring your luggage in the room. It kills everything, but if you breathe it – it hurts your lungs? Sounds promising. I gave my bed and surrounding my bed a good spray. I waited about 10 minutes now I am hoping I don’t pass out or start choking. Hello Africa I am here! I simply hope I keep my positive excitement going even though I am sure I have a small spider lodged in my ear right now
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