Since I wasn’t able to blog along the way (original flight out Nashville was cancelled and rebooked, making all of my connections tight), below is a compilation of random thoughts and events along the way. By the time you read this, I’ll be in Cape Town.

• Saying goodbye to my family was the hardest thing that I have done in my adult life.
• There was a “loud talker” on the Nashville to DC flight. I know waaaay more about that guy than I ever wanted to know. He truly needed to find and cultivate his “inside voice.”
• Dulles is the worst international airport in which I have traveled. It is so confusing and not user-friendly.
• Snow was on the ground in DC (hence my flight cancelation in Nashville); it will probably be the last time I see snow in a while. I’m OK with that. 🙂
• On the transatlantic flight, I had two seats to myself. Yay!
• I watched “Ice Age” and did some reading, but I slept most of the way to South Africa. I guess I was tired.
• I’m now in Johannesburg waiting for my flight to Cape Town. I’m burning up. It’s time to shed the winter clothes, but I’ll wait until I get home. I’ll arrive around 11:00 tonight.
• I met a delightful woman who was in Washington for the inauguration. She lives in Durban and invited me to visit her.
• I hear children playing and their laughter. Some things are universal and priceless.

It’s great to be back on African soil. I’m blessed to call it home for the next three years.