Travel
I do not want to see the inside of a plane for quite some time. Though traveling was good it was long and tiresome. My long flight from JFK to Johannesburg (or Jo-burg, what the locals call it) was 15 hours long. Luckily I was able to sleep most of the flight and spent the rest of the time watching movies. It was boring but also fun since I was sitting next to a rambunctious 10 year old girl from SA. She was traveling home from visiting her sister in the States and was by herself. She was quite a talker and it made the flight interesting and fun. The only hiccup in my trip was when I landed in Jo-burg, I had to go through entry into SA and customs. I was supposed to grab my bags and go through customs but due to only having a little less than an hour before my next flight, I was told I should leave them and catch my flight instead. So I ran a good distance and caught my flight. So currently I am without clothes and am very hopeful to get them today. We will see though.
Arrival
After arriving in the airport and dealing with my bag situation, two people picked me up from Cornerstone. One has been my contact in preparation before arriving (Tammy) and the other is a SA student who is one of the peer mentors for the study abroad students (Joanita). Tammy dropped Joanita and I off at my host families home, where I met my host sister Robyn-Lee. My host parents were at work so Robyn-Lee showed me around the home and showed me where I would be staying. I will be sharing a room with another study abroad student but for now Joanita is staying with me. We kind of have our own closed off area from the home with a bathroom and nice little living area as well. It is very nice and very comfortable as well.
Host Family
My host family is amazing they are very nice and welcoming people and I am looking forward to getting to know them better as time goes on. I am also very thankful for Joanita, the peer mentor, she has been such a blessing making me feel welcome and comfortable. She is very very sweet and helpful. I am looking forward to getting to know her more as time goes on, I can see us becoming good friends. My host parents are great people as well. Last night after a dinner of fish and chips, a very popular South African meal, they took Joanita and I on a drive to the city center of Cape Town (I live in a suburb). It is a very beautiful city and I can’t wait to go explore the area more as time progresses.
I know I have only been here a day but I already feel pretty at home here with my host family. So far things have been amazing and even though it sucks to not have any clothes, they have let me borrow things so I have been ok. Not sure what is planned for today but I think we may head to the beach! Please pray that my stuff arrives soon! I miss you all dearly and still can’t believe that I am here in SA!
Much love,
Allysa
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