Up, up and away!
My very lovely trip to South Africa was interrupted by a necessary stay in the hospital; thank goodness it was a short one! My friend's family took wonderful care of me, acting like a surrogate family, and I learned that asking if you're going into "theatre" is inquiring about whether you are having surgery, not going into acting :) I also had some of my South African friends visit me during my short stay in the hospital which meant a lot to me!
My last week in Durban I spent staying with friends, enjoying the sunshine and the company of good people.
My last day in Durban, they took me on an inside tour of the Durban aquarium with a private tour guide (who happens to be my friend's dad), a bunch of super sweet SMS's (text messages) wishing me well, a bunch of funny phone calls to say goodbye (funny because I still couldn't talk, so I was whistling for yes), a hand made teddy bear from my friend's grandma, and the cutest going away card from his family that you've ever seen. Such sweet people! I will miss all the wonderful people I met in Durban, and all the adventures shared there. I can't believe the journey is over! The life lessons I learned, the wonderful memories made, and the fantastic friends I have will always be in my heart! I really wasn't ready to leave, but I am so very glad I went! I come home feeling renewed, well traveled, and enriched in so many ways! As tough as it was to say goodbye, I have many fond hellos to look forward to, and a snowy Christmas (it was very weird to see Christmas trees in really hot weather, and Santa hats on people wearing shorts and tank tops)!
As I tearfully boarded the plane home, my hopes to travel more swelled, my memory soaking in all the wonderful times spent over the last six months, and my friends make me promise to try to come see them in 2010 (when South Africa hosts the world cup!) Such joy, such fun, so many laughs, so many experiences, so many friends, so many smiles and the adventure of a lifetime! While its sad to see it come to an end, I can only wonder what else is in store, and am so incredibly grateful for the opportunities I had in South Africa, and for the opportunity to go in the first place!
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