Preparations took a little longer than expected – but finally we are off!!! In high spirits and 100% holiday mode we dive straight into the first highlight of this trip: we are going on the Gautrain.
I know, I am a little behind most Joburgers – after all the first train undertook it’s maiden voyage on 8 June 2010, just in time for the Fifa Soccer World Cup! Nonetheless, I am extremely excited. It sure is a fine looking train…
And not only the train itself – the stations are also pretty impressive, me thinks!
Rather cozy inside here… and if I may remark: the blue interior complements me rather well, not so?!
And only a few minutes after settling in the train departs on it’s rather short 15 minute ride to OR Tambo International Airport. It goes like a bullet with top speeds of up to 160km per hour. This may not be the fastest train in the world but the scenery outside surely swishshshes past fast enough for me…
So I quickly find comfort on the lap of Tanya and Donovan who are also on the way to the airport.
Thank goodness the ride is over in a flash but I get to the airport feeling a little squeezy. The sheer sight of the magnitude of the station makes me slightly dizzy too…
After having to orientate myself I manage to find the departure hall but am still feeling a little green – so I rest for a moment and take a deep breath…
I must have not been looking my snakey self because I immediately get attention from a very nice lady who works at the airport and her big smile soon has me back on my coils again.
Ready to hit the check-in counter I come across a lot of suitcases.. amazing what people carry with on overseas trips…
All the people here are really very nice, seriously. Everybody is full of smiles (who knows maybe having a permanent smile stitched on the face does help to get people to smile back at you?)
Almost there – just a few more shoulder rubs here and smiles and hugs there…doing what I do best!
Then it’s time to leave my newly discovered mode of transport behind…
But there is one last thing I have to do before I leave South African ground behind, I have to really get in the swing of things and prepare for my time with them Germanians: One “cool blonde” me thinketh is what they call it, correct?
So long, my dear Africa, farewell, adios, cheerio, Auf Wiedersehen!!!
I’ll be back!
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