Spanning the Globe

Our first day

Well, here we are! We’ve made it to Bloemfontein. The flights were quite the adventure - the first flight, from DC to Johannesburg was dreadfully long and our first attempt at landing was aborted due to wind sheers. The second flight, from Johannesburg to Bloemfontein, was fine - it was just very confusing to get through the airport. Luckily, our travel package included a guide who met us when we got off the first plane and took us all the way through to the second plane. I’m not sure we would have made it without her.

We arrived at the guesthouse at about 9pm last night. Our accommodations are wonderful- very home-like. Daleen, the woman who runs the guesthouse, even has three dogs (one is a dachshund!) that wander about the premises. We were tired enough from the flights that we were all about to get to bed around midnight. That left us in good shape to get up around 7:30 this morning. We had a huge breakfast at the guesthouse (the juices here are delicious!), then went to an African Art festival at a nearby park. This afternoon, we went to the local mall to pick up a few things as well as meet up with Dr. Dixie Watts Reaves, from VT Dept of Agricultural and Applied Economics, and the 15 exchange students who are here from Blacksburg. We had a late afternoon meal at a steakhouse and now we’re on campus in Dixie’s office making this post.

We plan on leaving here soon and heading to the grocery store to pick up something light for supper.

1. Will you and your goup be meeting with Nelson Mandella during your visit?
   Posted by  on  03/03  at  09:05 PM
2. Hi Robyn- We miss you here in the office...I am glad you had a tour guide too. Of course you know me and directions, I would have needed more than one tour guide hahhaha. Norma said to say hello from the County also. Have a wonderful trip. Leslie
   Posted by  on  03/07  at  02:47 PM
3. Wow, what a guest house it is bigger than my house. I cannot wait to see your pictures and hear all about what you all are doing. I am also looking forward to finding out what some of these things are. Hi to everyone.
   Posted by  on  03/07  at  05:08 PM
4. The VT students and I very much enjoyed meeting with all of you for lunch and sharing some of our experiences in South Africa so far. As has been the case for us, I'm sure you will have an extraordinary experience, see beautiful countryside, learn a lot, and enjoy the hospitality of the wonderful people of South Africa!
   Posted by  on  03/10  at  11:00 AM
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