05-02-2008 Back to base

Eighteen-and-a-half hour on the way….still 8 to go….while counting the hours I order a 2nd cappuccino at Joburg airport, South Africa, that at the moment is being renovated thoroughly.

I am in the middle of an 8 hours stop over and since I continue my flight with a local airline, I have to collect my luggage and check in my belongings onto my connecting flight. Check-in can be done 24 hours upfront says the lady at check-in desk 77. Great, I am thinking, at least I don t have to drag my luggage along. Check-in?? come back within a few hours thus the lady at check-in counter 72 the desk meant.

Though tired from the trip I am quiet at ease, mainly cause my suitcase arrived which is rather exception than rule in my case….so no discussion. I take my luggage to the depot from were I can collect at later stage and I set out between a mix of construction workers & tourists heading for the restaurant….cappuccino thus and my favo magazine.

Peter’s last message is crossing my mind again: ‘I have been sailing the boat behind the reception’. Sounds good, except when you are aware that last year, same period the lodge was completely flooded. During the floods, buildings ,trees and big pieces of riverbank gone lost….something I don t want to think about right now.

I switch back to my table, the restaurant and the prospect of a night in Lusaka, dinner & drinks at Gerritz restaurant with a friend that collects me from the airport and where I spend the night. Tomorrow afternoon I will reach final destination Mfuwe…..total traveling hours till final destination….also something I don t want to think about.