En Route to Cape Town (the hard way):
(Sunday) We're cruising over Missouri, I do love the "Flight Map". The trip has been an adventure so far and that's just getting to the first leg. Had to renew me passport and it took 6 hours to get tickets reissued, so I lost one day, That wasn't fun but now I know it can be done!!! Flew out of San Francisco instead of Sacramento, and thanks to Mickey, Al, and, of course, my wife Tina , for making it happen.
It finally feels like I am on my way. It will be another 20 hours or so before I get to Cape Town.
South Africa at last:
You have to love the view from the Tail Cam of the airbus 340-600. It gives you the view outside from the top of the tail of the airplane. Very cool! I was stuck in the middle section of the middle section for 15 1/2 hours, and watched everything on on-demand video down to the Wedding Singer.
In the airport in Johannesburg, in the Keg pub, I ordered a Hansa Beer and Bangers and Mash and there was a cricket game on the teley. I felt like I'd arrived in South Africa. It's all somehow familiar but not familiar.
I was thinking that since I'm a day behind my group, I was hoping there would be someone in Capetown holding a sign with my name on it or I'd be screwed. No problem. I was met by a driver and 2 other travelers who were delayed in New York due to mechanical problems with their plane, so I am not the only one missing a day.