I woke up to a Construction wake up call with surrounding d pounding from all corners of my 1 bedroom alartment. At first I thought it was children gone wild but a quick call to the front desk confirmed constuction. Enter headache. I packed my things for check out and had the front desk make arrangements with Dickso. The night before he had taken me to the Monte Carlo casino before disappearing for a 20 minute drop that toom 2 hours. Not my business. We he returned and found me at the craps table we played for a while before both feeling defeated and headed home. Fast forward back to my last morning in Jo'burg (for now) I tried to catch a nap to no avail. Dickson came and gave me his signature, "Everything all right, Miss? Yes, Dickson. We had spent the last four days together but the last two more so with us having lunch together and talking about his life and his growing business and me giving him advice on what to do. Honest to say, Dickson became someone to look forward to seeing each day. It was almost like we were both exploring Joburg and all my tour spots together for the first time. When he dropped me off at th airport I surprised him with a professional photo of the two of us stroking the lion so he can share it with his kids. It was a first time experience for both of us. He thanked me and I hugged him good bye. I just went for it. Dickson is 34, married for 10 years with two kids and has been etching his name in this world as a business man who rose from humble beginnings by the age of 12 when his stepfather took him from his small township outside of Jo'burg to the city to work. He didn't have the opportunities afforded to me but he is making his way. The hug good bye was bittersweet for me and of course when I said thank you, he said Pleasure.
From there I went to check in and then was turned around three times in a quest to find Sasha who had emailed me earlier about finding my inscribed book on the flight back to Joburg from Nelspruit where I safaried. This was the book that got me through my first night, tears, revelation and all. I was determined to get it back so I can read it on the rest of the trip rather than wait until my 7th flight back home. I finally found her office in the airport, showed my passport , and signed for it. She remarked that she knew it was special since she saw the inscription in it to me and rarely do they get lucky to reunite passengers with their items. I thanked her and proceeded to do a mad dash to the gate since my plane was already boarding. I seem to like taking these risks. I made it just in time for my flight and as I settled in my seat I opened the book to continue from where I left off. Once in the air, I put on my music and let Corrinne Bailey Rae serenade me with "Girl Put Your Records On."
I had just completed the first two legs of my journey and was now on my way to Durban to meet up with Feesah and bring in my birthday. No transportation arranged, but winging it has worked out thus far so I am game. I lucked out and got an airport shuttle for 90 rand or 9 bucks and arrived at the gorgeous beachfront casino hotel where I was greeted with a warm towel to cleanse my hands and a glass of iced tea as I checked in.. Oh yes, I am going to love it here!
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