We started our trip with a 5 hour flight to Washington DC...no snacks. Seriously, we got a drink. that was it. so lame. Let me just say when you are pregnant, and suffer morning (read this as "all day") sickness the way I do, a package of pretzels or peanuts would have been appreciated. The other road bump...they put my middle name down for both of us (Brett and I), and couldn't figure out how to change it. They advised we buy a new ticket, because they couldn't change it and weren't sure we would be allowed to fly into SA without the correct name on the ticket. We took our chances. Glad we did because I wasn't about to drop $2K because they messed up.
Day two: More flying.
We flew from DC to Senegal, and from there to Johannesburg. From there we had a few hours layover, and then flew into Durban. We went through customs in Jo-burg, and had no problems. We did find out that the big shot we got was not needed afterall. Boo. Then we finally landed in Durban, got a cab, and made it to our hotel. I was grateful to stretch out, and lay down. Normally I do not mind the travel part of traveling, but being pregnant, nauseous, and having a host of other pregnancy related issues (like having to pee every ten minutes) made the 28 hrs of travel not so much fun.
Day three: Putting out more fires.
We got some sleep, slept in, and woke up to find out that all the tours we had booked (starting the next day) had been cancelled because the credit card was denied because no one called the bank to tell them it would have a charge from South Africa. We had cash so we thought it would be no big deal, but NO, they would only take a credit card. We don't use credit cards, and thus have none, and so we had to try and figure out a way to contact someone back home and see if we could use theirs. Gotta love Skype, and their cheap international calling plans, we called from our computer and Brett's brother bailed us out, and let us book all of our activities on his card. This was very stressful for me. I couldn't just relax and have fun this day because I was so worried about everything. We did finally manage to go somewhere. We went to a fish market for lunch, which I promptly threw up, and then took a nap, then later we went to the beach. We got to enjoy a cool pier, and lighthouse. Then we walked back up to our hotel, and ate at the restaurant at the hotel. It was yummy.
Day four: Durban City Tour.
We had a great day today. We got up early, ate the wonderful breakfast at the hotel, then got picked up by our tour guide...Prince. We then proceeded to explore the city of Durban. It has such a rich history, and so many interesting sites. I cried when we went through the shanty towns and saw the vast number of people living in poverty. It seriously breaks my heart. I feel so blessed that we have so much. It is sad to think about the people in my life I consider "poor" or at least not that well off, and then compare their lifestyle to the millions of people here who literally have dirt floors, and roofs made of cardboard held down by tires. The kids do not go to school, they have no running water, no electricity.
We went to the stadium where the world cup was held in 2010. They have this cable car you can ride to the top, we were so excited to do it, but it was closed for repair. Darn. You could also bungee jump off the bridge. Maybe another time huh?
We visited this gorgeous botanic garden. The biodiversity in South Africa is incredible. We saw the most gorgeous trees...EVER. I wish I could even explain my emotions here. God is such an artist. It made me so grateful for the beautiful world we live in, and the blessings we have around us.
We went to Ushaka marine world. It is an aquarium and water park in one. Very cool. You can snorkel in the fish tanks, etc. We watched their shows, the dolphin show was really cool. I will post a video.
We tried bunny chow at the Indian section and did some shopping at the Indian market. This of course was awesome. I did not feel that great, so I did not eat much, but Brett really enjoyed it, and the shopping was a blast!
Day five: Animals.
We got up early and went to the hluhluwe-umfolozi game park (In zulu the hl makes and SHL sound, so you pronounce this Shlooshlouise). I will let the pictures speak for themselves, but let me just say, seeing all of these animals in the wild, just roaming about was pretty cool.
Day six: Shakaland tour
We visited a zulu homestead. In the zulu culture polygamy is practiced. Instead of one home, they have several huts (literal huts, most without electricity or water), and they put them in a circle and the whole family lives and works within the homestead. There is a rich history, and a lot of problems. Mindsets are very outdated, men rule, aids abound. It is so interesting and so sad. The president of South Africa is Zulu and has had six wives. One died, and he divorced one, so he has four. It causes a lot of problems, as the people do not like supporting all of his wives.
We watched traditional dancing, learned about the various ways of life, how they make their food, beer, etc. We got the full experience, bare breasted women and all. I was super sick this day, so I did not LOVE being here just because I wanted to be in bed, but I am really glad we went.
Day seven: Church.
We hired a cab and drove about an hour to attend church (EXPENSIVE). We asked the man to pick us up about four hours later, thinking that would give us time to visit, etc. Well, turns out that the people had not yet watched General Conference, as many do not have television, or even electricity. So, they were showing the Sunday sessions of Conference. It was kind of cool to rewatch four hours of Conference, we got a lot out of it. They had a 30 min. intermission type deal, so we were able to visit with people then. The people were so kind and welcoming. So many hugs, invitations, and so much love. It was almost overwhelming how generous these people were. We met a missionary couple from Idaho that knows my extended family the Simmons. We met a missionary from Kaysville that knows my nephew. It is such a small world, especially within the church. We met the woman who helped start the church in Durban. A few years ago, one of the missionaries that baptised her paid for her to come to Utah to watch general conference. Her whole family was there. They all arrived (and left) in a truck, piled into the back. It was crazy to see. They were so sad we were not staying longer, and tried to arrange to do something with us, but we couldn't work it out. They got out phone number, email etc. and have already emailed to invite us back, to offer to drive us and take us around next time, etc. We played with these darling children, and I gave them some pretzels, and it was so cute, they were so excited.
After church our cab driver came back to get us. Brett was kind of sad because many of the members he knew from his mission were not there. So, he had the cab stop at a home of someone he knew. She was home, and had attended a different ward that day. She was so excited to see Brett, and so smiley and sweet. She told him that 3 of her 4 daughters (Whom Brett had baptised) had died (of aids). And this sweet little woman was helping raise all of these grandchildren in this tiny run down cottage. It was really sad, but she was just smiling and happy, and kept saying how blessed she was to be part of the church.
It was a really awesome day, we had wished that our visit to that part of town (the sketchy side) had taken place earlier and that we would have had the chance to spend more time with these people. Brett loved every minute of it.
When we got back to the hotel I was so sick I couldn't move, and just went to bed for the night, so it was a short day.
Day eight: Packing to head home
I had another bad day, we had a half day before we had to head to the airport. I was vomitting all morning, and felt terrible. We did walk over to the mall, and I left a cardigan there on accident, but other than that we did nothing but pack and lie around. Then got a cab and went to the airport.
Day nine: flying home, long layover in DC
Flying home was rough, lots of running to bathrooms to throw up, and not making it every time so searching for garbage cans, etc. But we finally made it back to the States (27 hours later). Then we had a 12 hour layover, which we begged someone to get us on an earlier flight, and they did. So instead of flying directly home, we flew to Denver, then SLC. But it got us home four hours sooner, and even though I was so sick I was basically delirious when we got home, I was grateful to see my children, and get in my own bed. Not to mention shower and wash some of the stench of 34 hours of travel off.
