UPDATE: We are definitely not getting out today, but we plan to go to the airport around noon tomorrow to beg SAA to put us on another flight. We'll see what happens.
You probably thought I was almost home. Well, surprise! I am still in Johannesburg and don't know when I can get out. I doubt it's on the news there, but South African Airways is in the middle of a huge strike and yesterday the entire airport was closed. We were put up in a hotel and are still here, which is where I am posting from now. It could be a few days . . . We are planning to go to the airport in a couple of hours to find out if we can get a flight out. We were supposed to fly to NYC, but since we had to cancel our flights from there, we might try to get one from Jo-burg straight to Atlanta and then my parents can get us from there.
I am frusterated because I am almost out of clean clothes. In fact, I would be already if I hadn't decided to send a few things out to be washed a few days ago "just in case." I am glad, however, that if we have to be stuck somewhere, at least it's in a gorgeous city like Johannesburg. Our tour guide is still with the 18 of us who are here. He says he'll stay until we can get out, so we may do some more sightseeing today he said. I guess we have an extended vacation. I don't know when I can post again or what the heck is going on, but hopefully I'll be back in the next few days. Keep your fingers crossed.
Pixy: So far we have stayed with our guide because we are making trips to the airport and listening for any info, but if I find out that we are going to be here a couple more days, I will call you. :-) By the way, you had nothing to be nervous about. Jo-burg rocks!
Posted by Hannah at July 23, 2005 03:14 AMYeah, just look at it as a chance to extend your vacation! :) Good luck getting hope. I hope that it all goes smoothly for you. Good thing you had some clothes washed "just in case"! :)
Posted by: Lisanne at July 23, 2005 11:03 AMHannah - sorry about the strike (most embarrassing for us South Africans). Not sure how long it will continue but how about throwing a tantrum and getting SAA to put you on a British Airways flight to London and then fly London back to the States. And get the hotel to wash your laundry - SAA has to foot the bill so you might as well use this opportunity.
Ask your tour guide to take you all to Sun City. You will love it and may also be able to go on another game drive.
This is a good thing! A longer vaca in a place you absolutely adore!!
Try some sink-washing... works wonders with underwear :)
Posted by: girl from florida at July 23, 2005 09:42 PMHey there - egads - how mortifying that you've been affected by the strike and HOW typical of the staff of our national carrier, as an agent, we really hate them - but I'm just so sorry that you had to have your holiday affected like that. I'm also really sorry that I didn't get to meet you guys - I was going to meet up with Michelle and come and say hi to you folks, but I'm STILL not entirely recovered from my flu - and I think it would have made your holiday even more eventful if you had a nice south african flu bug to take along with you on your travels! Anyway, I have all my fngers crossed that you folks make it out ok - and that SAA stop with all their striking rubbish and get back to work!
Posted by: Valkyrie at July 24, 2005 06:38 AMGood luck! I'm glad you are having fun.
Posted by: ani at July 26, 2005 10:30 AM