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.