The day you knew would arrive is here--you'll survive.

Again, points for anyone who can identify the origin of the post title. Of course, then you'll know that choice is a little inappropriate, though you might be able to argue that I was "obviously going through some adolescent phase." (Hint: one of Lisa's favorite musicals)

So, today is my last full day in the states. No, this doesn't make the Boro seem better, but it does make me excited/nostalgic about many things. So, I've decided to publish a few of my thoughts over the past few weeks. Hopefully, this will be updated during the plane rides tomorrow, so be sure to check back if you're a blog-checker.

1. Gmail looks funny in Turkish.
2. I really didn't trust the driving skills US taxi drivers--who knew you could actually get in a wreck in a taxi--in Rome!
3. Traveling makes you tired. This would have been a good thought a few months ago when I signed up for my fifth interim.
4. Interim trips are fun, no matter how old you are.
5. I don't know how to say 1:30pm in South Africa. Is it 13:30?
6. I had forgotten that the proper South African response to "thank you" is "pleasure."
7. I'm not worried about not knowing where I will live. Should I be worried about this?
8. Packing never gets done in the amount of time you plan. Probably because you're updating your blog, dummy.
9. A 12 hour flight is long, even when your best friends are along for the ride. No, this doesn't mean you should flip out since you now have a 12 hour flight by yourself.
10. EVERYONE knows someone in South Africa. Seriously. Test this theory. I think there are only 2 degrees of separation for most people.
11. Rotarians are incredibly kind people.
12. My birthday is in the second week I'm in Jo'burg. And I thought the first day of classes at home was bad. At least it's not the superbowl this year.
13. People in Johannesburg won't watch the superbowl!
14. People in Johannesburg won't watch the Oscars. :(
15. I love care packages (you knew that was coming).
16. My guitar will soon look as if it's been everywhere from its new collection of stickers. Hopefully, it will have actually been most of those places.
17. Turkish food tastes a lot like African food, believe it or not.
18. Turkey looks a lot like California.
19. I will probably really miss driving.
20. Wherever you are on Feb. 23, I've got you beat--the Royal Yacht Club in Cape Town
21. Nelson Mandela WILL be my best friend, even if Abbott's good vibes alone get me there.
22. I love visitors! A trip to Jo'burg costs anywhere from $1400-2000 and then lodging is free! I'm serious about that. Check Delta and South African Air
23. I will miss sushi.
24. I'm going to be a master-knitter! I have a new book and all kinds of time. Same goes for the guitar.
25. I'm going to miss you! Email, Skype, or write soon!

I'll get into Jo'burg on Sunday morning and I'll update you then. Until then, Happy Trails!

Ode to a Greecian...urn? Maybe not.

So today we're here in Crete. We have visited Istanbul, Izmir, Kusadasai, Bergama; ancient Ephesus, Colossae, Laodicea, Pergamom, and Hierapolis in Turkey. Turkey is in Asia, which I didn't actually realize since part is in Europe, so I have now seen 4 continents...only 3 to go (if I really want to include Antarctica). In Greece, we have seen Kavalla, Veria, and Thessaloniki; and ancient Beroea, Philipi, and Thessaloniki in Greece proper.

Crete consists of staying Heraklion and making a couple of day trips, today to the Palace Knossos, the St. Titus basilica and the St. Catherine's basilica.

Loving every minute of it!! I'll update when I can. Love to you all from far across the seas.

The sojourn begins

We will dispense with the song lyric post titles (because it's getting old and because--believe it or not--I don't know that many) as we begin the new year and the new journey. I hope that holidays were lovely for all of you, as they were for me, and that the new year has been a good one in its first two days.

Tomorrow, I will leave the 'Boro for Birmingham. I have several get-togethers with folks that I haven't yet said goodbye to, and then I will head to Ashley's house for the night before leaving at 4:40 the next morning. We will get to the airport around 5:15, and then the sojourn begins--this time to Turkey, Greece, and Italy, in the footprints of Paul. We will go everywhere that St. Paul goes on his sojourn in the book of Acts, including ancient Ephesus, Smyrna, Laodicea, Corinth, Athens, and Rome. I will return to the States on Feb. 17. The picture below is not our exact route (I stole it from a bike trip map), but it is a pretty good replica. If you really want to know the exact locations, go get out your handy dandy Bible.

Once I return, I have only a week before I leave for Johannesburg. I have received my visa (thank goodness! and with little time to spare) and have only to wait on my plane reservations now. I should have an overnight in Paris to see Farley, and then arrive in Jo'burg on the morning of Jan. 28. Lynne and Peter, my Rotary sponsors, will be at the airport to meet me. They are delightful people, and I'm sure that they will take good care of me, so no worries! I am excited to meet them and to begin my time in Africa--FINALLY!!

So, as you go about the first week of the new year, my travels have begun--what a great way to start the year! I hope that yours is as exciting as mine is shaping up to be! Pax!