Hello from Afrika

Let me begin by saying I miss Chicago and the familiarity of routine but this time round South Africa isn't so foreign to me and my immigration experience was an absolute breeze. I had all my receipts in a Ziploc bag ready for a fight and I had 4 very large and very full suitcases that I had already paid $500 fines for because they were heavy and I had 2 extra. As I approached the Customs people I went straight for the Red Zone “Goods to Declare” with the resolve of a 3 year-old, committed to being stubborn at all costs. I knew that I had things over the R3000 limit but because I was charged for DUTY -FREE scotch last year I was determined to get away with a freebie this time. Spoiling for a fight I got to the Customs officer.
She took one look at my mountain of bags and also took in the strong smell of scotch that followed me at 7am [I had dropped and smashed one of two bottles of MaCallan's - very sad- while tugging at my bags at baggage claim.] and she decided she was not going to deal with that HOT MESS so early in the morning. Welcome to Suid Afrika!

So because I wouldn't be me if I didn't complain...but you cannot imagine how anti-climactic it was to not engage in a fight when you have been gearing up for said fight for an entire year. The number of times that I have imagined what I would say and how I would behave when the time came to face-off with a Customs Officer at OR TAMBO Airport, for this face-off not to occur.......anyway I really am trying to get over it...clearly...I should gear up for the Zimbabwe aunthorities. My last encounter with them was scary to say the least. The SA airport looks pretty swanky. Those coming to World Cup 2010 will certainly appreciate the "Ayoba-ness" of it all.

Am back from Mozambique and that was a sweet trip with just the right amount drama, I will post those stories soon but here are a few pictures to whet your whistles