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Published: October 3rd 2009
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So after my emotional, drunk 3 am decision to go home to Ohio. I had the challenge ahead of me to get to the airport to fly home. I woke up early in the morning to see Tiffany and Jen off and then I started to realize what a choice I made the night before.
I took a cab into town to book a bus ticket. The first 2 places I went said that the systems were down and I had to go somewhere else. I finally found a travel agent, which sadly charged me a fee to book the stupid ticket. Once the bus was settled I went back to the hostel in Jeffries Bay and arranged a taxi to Port Elizabeth, which took almost 2 hours to get there.
In Port Elizabeth, the driver had dropped me by the Greyhound bus and told me that I could probably just load my things, which was great because I was carrying close to a 100 pounds. So I get to the bus and the staff says no I couldn’t load the stuff, I had to check into the office, that was just over there. So I start walking, and
walking and about 2 blocks down (carrying a 100 pounds) I was ready to give up and cry. Then this man walked by and I asked him where the bus station was, of course I had walked right passed it. He was so great. He didn’t say anything, he just picked up one of my bags and walked me right to the ticket counter. So sweet!
Once on the bus, it was an over night ride of about 15 hours. Then from the bus station in downtown Jo’burg, I took a very expensive taxi to the airport. The first taxi quoted me R250, which is around $30 US and I told him that he was crazy! I then walked down the line of taxi’s quoting prices and they pretty much had me pegged as a tourist and no one would give me a break. I gave up and went to the first taxi driver. I arrived at the airport about 10 hours before my flight and tried my hardest to keep myself entertained. I was so desperate for things to do I even began timing how long it took to walk around each level of the airport. I felt
very pathetic. When I was finally able to check in, I asked how much and upgrade to business class would cost and the lady told me R62,000 which is like almost $8,000 US, another crazy person!
Eighteen hours later I was in Ohio. When Jackie pulled up to pick me up she had not told the kids that I was coming yet, just that they needed to pick up a package. Both of them just stared at me through the car window and when they finally recognized me both were ecstatic!
The next month, I spent helping Jackie put away all of her 100 of boxes, I don’t think I am exaggerating at all, it might have been more boxes. I was with her when she bought her first washer/dryer and brand new living room furniture! I love shopping for furniture so this might have been one of the biggest highlight of the trips so far for me.
In addition to endless organization, I was also there to celebrate or partake in Jackie, Ben, and the twins birthday. The twins had a carnival themed party this year and even though it had rained relentlessly the last week
before the party it was still a big success. They were both given bunk bed for their birthday, and their rooms were made over to fit their every desire. Simara’s theme in her room was pink and brown, and Tavish’s theme was grey, black, and red. I love their rooms and I am very jealous of them. I was especially happy when they got their beds because I was officially off the couch or thermarest and into a bed.
I have to admit, that it was nice to be back home and all on treats of the western world. I had plenty of time to regroup my head and my emotions and I by the time September 28th came around, I was ready to go to the next adventure. I missed half of Ben’s birthday because that was the day I flew out which made me sad, but I did let him beat me at a game of chess the night before. Not really, he is too good, I have never won against him!
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Bryce
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donde ?
Hi Rhea. So you left Ohio now? Where are you? Did you get to Capetown? It was my fave. Jeffries bay, pletenburg and all the way to the bottom actually. Good times here. Party after party after party......Updating and innovating lots of stuff all summer, getting caught up and K and I slipped off to Mexico for a few days last week. Is your mcnmw email still in effect? love and stuff..xo