T.I.A

After 29hours in transit( Chicago- D.C- Bamako (Senegal)-Johannesburg- Gaborone) we finally made it. We got in on the 16th of June which is a public holiday here ( National Youth Day- in remembrance of the Sharpeville Massacres). The airport was buzzing literally with vuvuzelas blaring as soon as you cleared immigration. There are so many people here and everyone is ready for the World Cup. We made the connecting flight to Gaborone (barely) and arrived in Gabs in time for the daily power outages. ( Since the WC started, some parts of Botswana have been losing electricity, on a daily basis. T.IA).
Adele got to meet the rest of her family in candlelight ! My mothers were both very excited and I don't think she breathes without one of my moms checking on her.
By the time the power came back ( after about an hour), Ru was enjoying herself and chasing her cousin Kudzi around the house. The first day was a reminder of just how patient you have to be in Africa, the power outage did nothing to spoil our family reunion . Now as soon as I figure out how to upload this video I'll be up and rolling.

Takeoff - Almost

We have been packing, unpacking, repacking ,weighing and starting all over again. As important and fascinating all this may seem my mind keeps wandering off. I am debating whether or not to do the 'papal kneel and kiss the ground routine', not that I would actually do it. I just think it would be hilarious and slightly disturbing if I was to do that.
It is going to be an extremely busy 27 hour period as we drive to Chicago, fly to D.C to connect with the South Africa flight, pick up our WC tickets in Johannesburg and then get on the next flight to Gaborone. Let the adventure begin...

Day 1

Day 1 is over and I am really excited after watching the atmosphere in Mzansi. The people are in a carnival mood and they are all ready to party. The first game was fantastic and Bafana Bafana (South Africa) ended up in a draw with Mexico. I was amazed to see how many Mexican fans were in the stadium.
I have been trying to decide the first thing I am going to do once I get off the plane. I have the floor plan of Oliver Tambo Airport and I think Nando's will be my first port of call. I have to get my peri peri chicken fix and after that I am probably going to pop into Steers for a good Zama Zama burger. I am starting to think that I may put on some more weight over the next 3 weeks.

7 days and counting !

11 Days and Counting

We leave on the 15th for Johannesburg and I have to admit that my mind if already in Africa. I have all my weather settings changed for Johannesburg and I am reading the South African and Zimbabwean papers. Adele had a number of milestones last weekend , crawling, grown up food so that means that we're going to be busy on the plane.

Ten years ago when there was talk of a World Cup possibly coming to Africa my brother Anderson and I , would talk about what it would be like to attend a game. Would we be able to afford it? Would Ronaldo ( the chubby Brazilian) be still playing? Would Zimbabwe make it to the World Cup? How would Ivory Coast and Ghana do ?

Anderson would talk about which teams would do well and he told me that regardless of where in the world I was , I had to come and get him and we would go to some games.

Well the World Cup was granted to South Africa in 2004, Ronaldo is retired, Zimbabwe as expected did not make it. Anderson is gone.

I was determined to make it to the South Africa in 2010 and so was Gretchen. We have both been talking about this and planning this for the past 4 years. She knew that this was something that meant a great deal to me and now taking our daughter Adele with us really makes this such an important trip for me and for my family. I can share this with them and with my friends.