Warning: This is a long one

What a couple days of traveling! It all began with an idiot person working the desk at United at Dulles. He claimed that he could only check my bag to Frankfurt. From there I'd have to collect it and then check it in again. After a big stink, with the help of my parents, we were able to get someone a bit more competent to figure out how to check my bag in to my final destination. I got on the plane to Frankfurt in my window seat and a gentlemen sitting next to me. Thankfully this man was a loving husband and was able to find empty seats a couple rows back for him and his wife to sit in. This left me with no one next to me and space to sprawl out!

We arrived at Frankfurt airport and I was running on 2 hours of sleep (trouble sleeping even after drugging myself). Since my flight to Johannesburg wasn't until 10:10 pm, I planned to travel into the city and do some exploration all day. After a lot of asking around, I hopped on a train and ended up in the center of Frankfurt. It was very bustling as there was plenty of shopping to do and people going and coming from work. I lugged my heavy back pack around and went down some random streets. I ended up at an indoor market. I walked around looking at all the bakeries, flower shops, meat delis. There were plenty of customers there doing their shopping. I ended up at a bakery and used my "nearly perfect" German to order a chocolate croissant. I found a bench to sit and enjoyed it. After leaving the market, I found an old church to explore. It turned out to be the Frankfurt Cathedral. The tour cost 5 Euros so I didn't bother with that. I went into the entrance and was able to look into the church. Lots of great architecture, stain glass windows and a crazy depiction of Jesus on the Cross. It was a neat experience. 

After the cathedral, I went walking around some more. Yet, lugging a heavy backpack and my 2 hours of sleep was wearing me down. I decided to go into a mall to relax and people watch for a bit. I came to the realization there that my day of exploring Frankfurt wasn't going to be a day. I decided to grab some lunch and then head back to the airport to find a place to pass out. I picked up my bag and hit the streets. Trying to find an authentic looking German restaurant that I could spend 10 euros at was becoming difficult. After going left and right, up and down, fate brought me to a street. The street was filled with food carts and business folk on their lunch breaks. I walked around and took in the sight and smell of delicious foods. I came across a random truck that had a line and a menu that I felt confident ordering from. It was a quick order, receive your food and get out of the way place. I ordered currywurst and a potato hash. Currywurst is a bratwurst cut into pieces with ketchup and curry powder on top of it. Simple and delicious! I sat myself down at a random bench with other people there for a quick lunch.

After my lunch I slowly walked to the train station with fatigue kicking in big time! I hopped on the train for the airport, found a reclined chair meant for sleeping and passed out for 2 hours. I woke up at 3:30 and felt it was best to just head to my gate. I don't know why I felt arriving 6 hours early to boarding time was a great idea but I was groggy from my nap and still exhausted. I headed to the gate which was taken over by Chinese people as they waited for their upcoming flight to Beijing. I sat myself down right near a film crew that appeared to be making a video with a promotional video for Lufthansa using a pilot. Through my nosy eaves dropping I saw that the film crew was a mix of Germans, Brits and Americans that were under the direction of a young American director. A lot of drama was going down, though, due to all the Chinese people that were making a lot of noise. They eventually called it quits. I started to read and the Chinese boarded their flight, emptying out the gate area. Soon after, the film crew was back. They set up, did the shot and were drinking beers in no time. A huge success that had the director telling the rest of the crew he knew where they were going to party that night and there was sure to be crazy and have lots of ladies. Made me wish I had stuck around in Frankfurt for another day. Alas, I had a journey to complete that was encouraged more by the sound of K'Naan - "Wave Your Flag" from the nearby cafe. Amrou knows my love for this song.

About an hour before boarding, I decided to go take a cologne shower. If you don't know what this is, this is where you don't have time/access to shower so you spray yourself down with cologne. I meandered over to the Duty Free, sampled some fragrances and settled on a Versace cologne to give myself 2 quick sprays with. I boarded the massive Airbus A380 plane and wasn't so lucky to have an empty seat next to me. The great service, food, drinks and touch screen head rest monitor made up for it though. I enjoyed spaghetti bolognese and red wine while watching the Adventures of Tin Tin. Alas, the hectic day, lack of sleep and wine couldn't knock me out and I only got 3 hours of sleep. It was completely frustrating waking up at 2 am and not being able to go back to sleep. I made the best of it and watched 2 more movies.

I arrived in Johannesburg Saturday morning at 10:30 am. I changed dollars to Rand (7.39 conversion) and headed found a place to get some much needed coffee and water. If you know me, you know I only drink coffee in desperate situations and this was one of them. When it was time for lunch I found the chain of one of my favorite places in D.C., Nando's Peri Peri. I knew I had to get some authentic Nando's and enjoyed every bite of it. Before I knew it, it was time to board my 3:30 flight to Durban. I boarded a half empty flight where my assigned seat was in the last row where there was no one else sitting in my row. There was a group of obviously athletes that boarded the plane. They were all wearing button up shirts with "GM" on the back and a logo on the front. I stared at one guy and wrote down what it said. The team was the Highveld Lions, who I came to discover is a South African club cricket team. Pretty cool stuff.

I arrived in Durban on a very cloudy day. I still could see some of the surrounding area which was nothing but lush, green, rolling hills. It was a beautiful site! I collected my checked in bag, which I was fully expecting not to arrive due to the idiot at Dulles. I headed out and was collected by the director's, Lwazi, mother. She works for the government in Durban but comes to Eshowe every weekend. We hopped in her car and drove the hour or so to Eshowe. We had a great conversation about what she does, her past, my past, the economic situation in South Africa and many other things. I know you guys are wondering and yes, Gotye is playing on the radios here too. She did tell me that those clouds I saw as I flew in were from the cyclone warning that was in effect for the area. Do I make an entrance or what!

I arrived at the house with the rain pouring down. I was greeted by Lwazi with a big smile on his face. I gave him a hug and I settled in. First thing I did was take a much needed shower. Don't worry, the effects of my cologne shower were still there. I said goodbye and gave my thanks to Lwazi's mother. The woman who is to be my supervisor came over. I don't remember her name but will keep you all updated. We chatted and then braved the rain to go to a restaurant for dinner. A friend of Lwazi met up with us there. It was great chatting with them about South Africa, work, natural disasters, cars, etc. We hopped in the friend's car and we automatically discovered that we shared a love of Rick Ross. I then found myself driving around Eshowe at 9 pm, in the rain, blasting Rick Ross. You can imagine how happy I was in that moment.

Tomorrow I begin work. I'll also begin my lessons in learning Zulu. Hopefully after 3 months I can be fluent in the language! Posting photos seems to be a problem. I'll try again tomorrow with this blog and Facebook once I get to work. Thanks for following me and I miss all of you!