Friday morning was early. Mind you, I had so much trouble sleeping Thursday night due to excitement so it really wasn’t a big deal in the long run.
I used points to bump my flight to executive first class. This is an experience I have never had, and highly doubt I will ever be able to justify affording myself it it weren’t for aeroplan points, but I have never felt like more of a princess! While in the airports; I waited for my flights in a private lounge. There are comfy chairs, free internet, and complimentary juice, pop, coffee, beer, muffins, fruit, sandwhiches, and yogurt. You also dont need to stand in line for anything. Not security, or the service desk, or customs for that matter. And of course, you get priority boarding. On the plane; you get your own separate pod. it has its own folding out TV, noise blocking headphones, an outlet to charge your electronics, and all kinds of buttons to adjust your seat. you can inflate/deflate lumbar support or move your legs or head, or back all individually up or down. Theres also a button that you push and it lays your seat all the way down into a bed. you are provided with an actual pillow, and a duvet for the trip as well. On your seat when you get there; there’s a little toiletry case for you to keep too. It has earplugs, a sleep mask, fuzzy socks, a toothbrush/paste, mints, lip balm, and hand lotion. We were served something to eat or drink every 5 minutes. All our meals came on glass plates, and with metal cutlery. All our drinks came in real glasses. Before everyone was even seated they came around with mimosas for us. Your given a menu for your meals, and your choices are hilariously elegant, not to mention 4 courses! I never refused a course because I so wanted to take advantage of all the goodies, but I waaay overate and was so full the whole time – something I’ve definately never experienced on a plane! I’ve never arrived on a plane feeling more rested than that however – I imagine its quite useful if you are on a business trip, have meetings all the next day, and need to have slept.
I arrived in Africa Yesterday afternoon. I opted for a cab over a rental car. Driving here is terrifying! Nobody uses signals, there aren’t lines on most of the roads, and what few traffic signs there are, are taken as suggestions. Besides all the lazy driving habbits; the roads are super slick from being worn down by the sand. It’s a little like your permantly hydroplaning. I had to distract myself by looking anywhere except the road.
I did eventually make it to the hotel alive, which is quite beautiful. Once I got all checked into my room; I watched a little TV, ordered room service, and went to bed.
Africa so far is like nothing I have every experienced before. I have never been so intimidated by a culture before, plus it’s quite terrifying to literally never understand anyone around you. Everyone speaks French and Arabic. I no absolutely nothing of either language. I realize how comfortable I am in Spanish speaking countries. I at least can understand most of what they are saying! There are very few people who speak English, and even they often know very little. I constantly feel as though I just don’t get what’s going on around me. Mostly because I don’t – there are so many cultural nuances that are just so foreign to anything I’ve ever known or seen.
Every room you could ever be in has an arrow pointing to mecca somewhere either on the ceiling or the floor so you know which way to pray. The temple gathers 6 times a day I think, and those who can not attend, stop everything they are doing and pray where they are for half an hour. It’s pretty amazing – though I wonder how these guys manage to get anything done ha ha ha.
Its like the desert, only with palm trees and no cacti. Actually I think it would be completely barren, except that the people have brought palms and other desert vegitation to grow around hotels, office, and government buildings. All the buildings are light colored, and remind me of the movies. I haven’t had much time to explore yet but I’m excited to see everything.
I havent been feeling my best, but I suspect I’m just recovering from jet lag still. I’m also sending you all some sexy hotel pics I took today
It’s so strange to me that I can’t cam! I’ll try to keep you updated regularly
Maybe I’ll even shoot a video tonight!




Click for the Full-Sized Images
xoxo
Lita