- Sudafed is a must during airplane landings. If it is not taken, it can lead to excruciating head pain that then dulls upon landing but sticks around for a day or so.
- Always pack light on your carry-on luggage. Seriously. No one wants to be stuck in an airport for 5 hours lugging around two pieces of luggage that weigh like 10 pounds each. Even if your checked luggage is overweight, don’t pile it in your hand luggage.
- If you have a kindle, you have it for a reason. Don’t bother traipsing around with two extra books with you because “You swear you’re going to read them”. Especially if they are school books, because then you can’t leave them.
- Your body can become dependent on caffeine in 3 weeks. Fact.
- Trying to explain to a Mugg & Bean worker that their Maple Cinnamon Latte (a new menu item) tastes like Christmas in a cup is pretty invalid considering South African Christmas is generally around 90+ degrees Fahrenheit. The concept just doesn’t translate well.
- Global warming is truly affecting the globe. It can go from pouring rain for a week straight and seriously cold, even to the locals, to about 80 the very next day.
- It is a comfort to hear the voice of another American in a foreign land.
- Friends are your friends for a reason. It’s amazing how you can live thousands of miles apart, see each other infrequently, but have the ability to pick up right where you left off, like nothing ever happened.
- The majority of other cultures eat off of the back of their fork. Not only that, they also tend to eat everything with both a knife and fork in hand at all times.
- If someone says to you, “Wanna go for all-you-can-eat-pizza?”, Do it. And seriously try to eat all you can.
- Despite what people tell you, you can find Asian people in Africa. And yes, they do make sushi.
- Churches around the globe sing the same songs. And when you hear one your church sings, it instantly makes you feel at home.
- Songs about bananas can be hilariously entertaining. Especially when sung by the Irish.
- Wise council is important for so many reasons.
- A short-term mission trip is not complete without some form of a hook-up.
Oh and here’s a picture of my wonderful friend and tour guide for the few weeks, Des:
