7/1/09
I started my morning with roibos in my favorite chair watching the sun come. It’s almost exactly how I spent my first hours in Cape Town. The sunrise is just as beautiful and awesome as it was on the first day. I got ready for work every morning to that sunrise and now I was witnessing my last...at least the last sunrise of THIS trip.
In between cleaning, organizing and packing, I returned the beetle, said my goodbyes and attended my final yoga class. I got the most I could out of the class, not knowing when my next yoga class would be. As the day went on, the reality of my situation sank in. A lot of it derived from the idea of calling a taxi. The emptiness of that was almost unbearable. I got in touch with Sister Sara and she graciously agreed to drive me to the airport. I felt 90% better about leaving. Just before 5, Sarah, Pippa and I gathered my load and headed to the connect office. I dropped off my keys and phone and said my goodbyes. From there we went outside to meet Sara who was already there waiting with her trunk open. Once in the car, I was feeling a heavy and almost lightheaded. I realized at that moment how truly horribly taking a cab would have been. Sitting with a stranger at that moment and left to my own thoughts or superficial conversation would have been painful. Instead, Sara provided laughs conversation and even encouragement. We talked more about the hospital and the children. I leave RCCH behind knowing they are in the very best of hands. With Caroline and Sister Sara on duty I have no reservations that the children will be provided for and entertained.
I fully expected my suitcase to be over weight….and it was. 13ks overweight! Fortunately (and to my grateful surprise) it only cost me R353. I also earned R589 back in taxes. But things can only go so smoothly for so long in DaniLand. To my shock and dismay, I looked into one of my bags to find a connect cell phone in it! I knew it wasn’t mine, but HOW…WHEN??!! I looked through it and realized it was Sarah’s. HOW…WHEN?!?!! I called Lucy’s phone (which I knew was in our apt) and finally got in touch with Sarah. She was just as confused as I was. I asked around the airport and there was nothing I could do at that point. We would not have enough time for Sarah o come retrieve it herself so I was to take it all the way back to the states only to mail straight back to SA. How frustrating!! How Dani!!!
Also, I REALLY need to learn how to pack better. I just had stuff everywhere. It was abundant and heavy. By the time I settled into my seat on the plane, I hade stuff above me, below me, on my lap and at my feet. At least all the excitement was enough to keep me distracted from all the people and places and things I would be leaving behind. My aim at this point was to maintain my Cape Town way of thinking: presently and forwardly. I was excited to see SO many people, then there’s summer, the 4th, Abbie’s Baby and Burn Camp. I would focus on those things. Cape Town had taught me to do this very well. I only hope I am able to take it with me and not leave it behind…along with lord knows what else…
I started my morning with roibos in my favorite chair watching the sun come. It’s almost exactly how I spent my first hours in Cape Town. The sunrise is just as beautiful and awesome as it was on the first day. I got ready for work every morning to that sunrise and now I was witnessing my last...at least the last sunrise of THIS trip.
In between cleaning, organizing and packing, I returned the beetle, said my goodbyes and attended my final yoga class. I got the most I could out of the class, not knowing when my next yoga class would be. As the day went on, the reality of my situation sank in. A lot of it derived from the idea of calling a taxi. The emptiness of that was almost unbearable. I got in touch with Sister Sara and she graciously agreed to drive me to the airport. I felt 90% better about leaving. Just before 5, Sarah, Pippa and I gathered my load and headed to the connect office. I dropped off my keys and phone and said my goodbyes. From there we went outside to meet Sara who was already there waiting with her trunk open. Once in the car, I was feeling a heavy and almost lightheaded. I realized at that moment how truly horribly taking a cab would have been. Sitting with a stranger at that moment and left to my own thoughts or superficial conversation would have been painful. Instead, Sara provided laughs conversation and even encouragement. We talked more about the hospital and the children. I leave RCCH behind knowing they are in the very best of hands. With Caroline and Sister Sara on duty I have no reservations that the children will be provided for and entertained.
I fully expected my suitcase to be over weight….and it was. 13ks overweight! Fortunately (and to my grateful surprise) it only cost me R353. I also earned R589 back in taxes. But things can only go so smoothly for so long in DaniLand. To my shock and dismay, I looked into one of my bags to find a connect cell phone in it! I knew it wasn’t mine, but HOW…WHEN??!! I looked through it and realized it was Sarah’s. HOW…WHEN?!?!! I called Lucy’s phone (which I knew was in our apt) and finally got in touch with Sarah. She was just as confused as I was. I asked around the airport and there was nothing I could do at that point. We would not have enough time for Sarah o come retrieve it herself so I was to take it all the way back to the states only to mail straight back to SA. How frustrating!! How Dani!!!
Also, I REALLY need to learn how to pack better. I just had stuff everywhere. It was abundant and heavy. By the time I settled into my seat on the plane, I hade stuff above me, below me, on my lap and at my feet. At least all the excitement was enough to keep me distracted from all the people and places and things I would be leaving behind. My aim at this point was to maintain my Cape Town way of thinking: presently and forwardly. I was excited to see SO many people, then there’s summer, the 4th, Abbie’s Baby and Burn Camp. I would focus on those things. Cape Town had taught me to do this very well. I only hope I am able to take it with me and not leave it behind…along with lord knows what else…
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