Know Yourself!

I am strong and resilient.
I am the bad ass who went to South Africa by her got damn self for two weeks and lived like a boss! Experienced life and met amazing people. I am bold, beautiful, intelligent and a force with which to be to be reckoned. I am  confident, head held high, at peace, growth experienced. God had my back from start to finish letting me know he is there. I will keep my head up and keep moving forward. I left all your pains, stress, worries and fears in Africa. I challenged myself. Lives on my own and didn't get snatched or lose a thing. I did the bold and unthinkable. I am the bold and unthinkable.

Top of the World

Cape Town , Table Mountain. I was here.

You Lived!!

When I got in this morn I saw that this came in the mail yestetday. Perfect timing! I sent this postcard to myself from the top of Table Mountain in CapeTown about two weeks ago per the suggestion of Shannon Murray. Thank you! 😙I remember writing to myself and feeling very amazed that I made it. I think that  I cried tears, small tears of joy, too, but I felt awe for that majestic moment in time and ever so grounded in who I am for being there. For getting myself there.  It took exactly two weeks for the postcard to arrive as stated but it came right on time. I am adding this to my vision wall as a reminder that you can do anything that you set your heart and mind to do. I signed it with a kiss: You lived!! From the top of Table Mountain, YOU LIVED!!!

Never be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone. We have one life. Be bold in it and be fierce in it! You owe that to yourself. #BeYou #LoveYou #WalkwithHim #LIVE

What that Mouf Do?

You  don't even want to know what that mouth do and let's not talk about the ostrich who attacked me for the bag of food in my hand! Lmao, I screamed so loudly in the Lion Park jungle until Dickson snatched the food bag out of my hand. A mess!!! 😂

In the Jungle Again

JFK > Jo'burg > Nelspruit > Jo'burg > Durban > Cape Town > Jo'burg > JFK 18 hours in the air, 7 am arrival and I am at work struggling for the next 12 minutes. I can make it.

Flight 7: I came, I saw, and I conquered, Me.

It is my last day in Cape Town and though I had a 9 am massage scheduled and had planned to tour the Cape Peninsula on the Blue Hop On and Off bus, I was completely kidding myself since I woke up after 11:30. Thankfully, the night before I had convinced Candace at the front desk to give me a 1pm late check out and as I was packing the last of my things so I am on time I heard the band in the Green Market playing "All of Me" again and it was the perfect morning send off. This time the words just seemed to mean so much more as I opened up my heart to this experience and it gave me all it had to offer in these moments. I got a What's up Text wishing me a beautiful day and trip back home from Razia, the mom and business owner who I spoke with days earlier. I told her I was still here and hoped to see them again before I leave. When I finally made it downstairs where I stored my luggage, I kicked it with the staff for a bit before heading out for lunch. I ended up spending more than intended in the Green Market by picking up beaded necklaces and African art work to bring home and I met this beautiful Shop Keeper named Ruth who is from Naroibi, Kenya and her adorable toddler son. She asked me about my travels and I told her I came her solo for my birthday to challenge myself and she hugged me for my boldness joking that she hopes it rubs off on her. I encouraged her to push herself outside of her comfort zone and we chatted and agreed that when you have kids and that life you are no longer living for just you. It is different, great, but different. So best enjoy your time with self as much as you can. We hugged good bye and wished each other farewell. I stopped at this Trattorria named Bellinni for pizza but only had time for a Bellini with 15 mins on the clock since the airport cab was coming at 2:30. I connected to the eatery's wifi and saw another text from Razia asking if I was still there and I let her know I should be back in 5 minutes not totally sure if they would get it in time. As I headed back to my hotel, picking up more art and talking myself down the shopping ladder I was anxiously greeted by my shuttle driver, security and the resident travel tour agent, Ruth. Turns out it was 2:30 on the dot and traffic was starting to back up. I told them no worries. I have a late flight. Hugged Candice good bye, got my bags from Spar, the cute security man with locks who walked me to Long St on my first night and always told me to be safe, and I looked around for Razia and Zahaira hoping to see them one last time in the lobby. Walking towards the hotel exit there they were standing in the entrance waiting for me, mom and daughter. They thought they had missed me and I thought the same. Razia gave me such a long and tight hug calling me her angel but really they were mine. We all shared parting words with Zahaira promising to let me know of her college decision and me promising to send a step by step plan on how to further the business. I got kissed from everyone all around from Ruth to Zahaira, both cheeks, with South Africa's signature "Pleasure" as a good bye. I promised myself I wouldn't cry but then being there made it the best departure. The ride to the airport had the city and Table Mountain in the backdrop and ratchet African music as the soundtrack. Four Leaf Clover. After declining offers for help and quickly flirting with a sexy African brother dressed all in traditional garb while waiting for his ride, I checked my luggage at the ticket counter and heeded the warning from the agent that my wine bottle can't fly in my purse internationally. I kidded with him that maybe I can finish it on the way back to Jo'burg since it can fly domestically. He surveyed the 1996 bottle of Cab from Stollenbosch and let out a whistle saying he doesn't blame me if I did. It is a delicious bottle of wine and a great pick. We tucked it away in my checked luggage and I just met the baggage allowance short of .3 kgs. He asked me if I enjoyed my trip and I gave him a quick playback which led to more questions from him and the two other agents that gathered around surprised that I did this alone. He joked that if I had told him in advance then he would have taken holiday and joined me and now he is sad to send a beautiful sistah back to America. I laughed. Flattered. I told them I wasn't really alone. God was with me and sent angels for every step. Seriously. Every step and I thank Him. The female agent asked if I found what I was looking for here and I told her that I did. I did this for me and I gained peace with me. I did everything I set out to do and then some thanks to wonderful people who met me along the way. I lost nothing but I gained everything. They shook their heads and smiled and wished me all the best, safe travels and thanked me for visiting and I thanked them for having me. Through this entire journey I encountered angels and kindhearted Saffies who shared themselves with this young, solo traveler from New York. As I walked to the security check in I was humming/singing "All of Me" the entire way. It is now stuck in my head but ever so fitting. I challenged myself, I listened to the hearts of others while opening up my own and embraced every moment as it came to be, reminding myself that we attract the energy that we put out. Not once was I homesick, felt alone or felt sadness upon having to leave here. God used me in every way and showed me all I needed to see. It was all in His perfect timing and it is now time to go home. Along the way I learned many things, but the most important as told to me by Feesah is to be yourself, unapologetically. Be unapologetically you, all of you and I am doing just so by being All of Me. On this red eye flight now headed to JFK listening to John's newest album as I down my third comp bottle of sparkling wine. 4 cities, 7 flights, 2 weeks, countless adventures, priceless memories and hearts touched all around. South Africa, I will carry you always until my sweet return. Sanibonani. Igama lame ngu, Michelle. Hamba Kahle. Nigiyabonga . Pleasure. Indeed, it was a pleasure. I was there, I lived with you, however a small fraction of time in love and life, and it was a pleasure.

Flight #6. The plane, Boss the plane!!!!

I reached Jo'Burg after falling asleep on my flight from Cape Town. Maybe it was the Castle beer or the double bacon Wimpy cheese burger (Breakfast and lunch) but I was knocked out after 30 minutes. Mouth opened. Head jerking. Smh.  We finally landed and it is like Roe to Perdition (bad ass movie) trying to get to the connecting flight to JFK. After waking from West bubble I landed in front of security check in and of course I was flagged. Last time It was for my and dust toy where i had to explain to the woman what is an adult toy and where she can order one. Yes, I did. This time let's talk about the b.s. The man took out my two bottles of water, my coca cola that I had from day 1 of landing in Cape Town that was still fizzy fresh, my Lemon Iced tea from my Wimpy burger breakfast /lunch (Ok, my bad)  and my jamsss!!! Yasss, he tries to stop me for my jams that I got for a good damn price from  the wine estate. No, honey! Called them liquids and then asked if he can open it. I said, Hellllll Naw!! In my Sophia voice. How you gonna stop me for my jams but not my spiced cheese or proscuetto?! My choices : Leave them or check them in. Well since I am not providing you with a late work snack, sir, defiant and determined as ever I will scurry my self back on over to West Bubble and check them in even though the plane is boarding.

Off I go. Tried looking for plastic containers in the pharmacy on the way, no dice. Contemplated trying another security entrance and sneaking them through but in those 10 minutes of time lost I opted to head to West Bubble and check in my carry on bag . I told the agent what happened and she did a rush processing while I shifted items around in my bags and put lock ties on the zippers for my former carry on while praying I will get my bag back after all this fuss. Those jams are the business and I'm  bringing them for my mama. The airport clerk told me the flight is boarding already so I better run cause the gate  is a ten minute walk from here. Why, West Bubble, WHY???!!!  So my just in case you got to run  sneakers have now been checked in and I am in these sandals trying to get my life and my flight. 

I walk hurriedly with my two side bags that have passed on all 6 flights as a pocket book and a blanket bag and I go through security. Breeze. Passport checkpoint?  Huh? Breeze.  Challenge: 10 minute walk with four announcements for final boarding. Lord knows as much as I love South Africa I am not trying to stay in Tambo Airport for the night. I scurry and hop on the  moving belts, out of breath, being reminded that I need to get my butt back in the gym asap upon my return and I swear if one more Mofo tells me it is good exercise running for things in S.A....... Chile! Two gladiator looking men are also running with me and as I slow down they yell don't you quit. They are heading for the same flight so naturally I told them to hold it for me. Either I'll die after I make it or I won't make it cause I died. Lol, I am dramatic. We hear another announcement for door closing and haul ass. The last thing the passport inspector guy told me after security was Run!! South African Airlines will leave you at the gate with your mouth open. Chileeee! Mouth open, heart burning, and refusing to just throw my stuff down and quit I run and get to the gate with the guys, drenched in sweat only to be asked by the lady agent... What happened to you?  She conducts what is probably the 6th (no lie) check on the way to the plane. One thing I can say is they play no games with security. I get through final boarding and exhale when I got on the plane. One minute more and I would be sleeping on a silver chair cursing myself out. Mama, I am coming home! I get on the plane, which is not full at all and many of us are scoping out center seats. I learned my lesson the first time. You get yourself an empty center row of seats so you can stretch out on this 15 hour flight. Got mine!