The Journey, part 1

      I left Houston on March 18th at little after 7:00pm. The first part of my journey consisted of a fifteen hour flight to Dubai, which went surprisingly quickly. I flew with Emirates on a massive plane that easily fit over 300 people.  Shortly after being seated everyone received a small bag with an eye mask, ear plugs, socks, and a toothbrush. I was also lucky enough to have two empty seats between me and the next person. The entertainment system was quite expansive and I watched several movies I've been meaning to see. Although I did not manage to fall asleep in any of the twelve or so positions I tried, I remained optimistic that the next flight would be more refreshing. I spend just about four hours total in the Dubai airport, which was enough time to find some food, shower, and peruse the enormous shops. I felt I couldn't leave without something to remember my short stay in the middle east so I bought a small camel keychain.

      The next segment involved an eight hour flight to Johannesburg, South Africa. Immediately upon finding my seat I realized I was not going to be lucky enough to sleep, considering I was in a two-person row sat next to a somewhat grumpy older man. I think my politeness and our unspoken agreement to not talk appeased him enough, and we spent the flight in peace. I was right about being unable to sleep, but I sure did try. I occupied most of my time with more movies and television.
      I arrived somewhat delirious in Johannesburg, with a list of things to do before my next and final flight in five hours. I had to get through passport control, pick up my bags, get through customs, recheck my bags, buy a sim card for my phone, and exchange some money. Somehow, even after not sleeping a wink in over thirty or more hours, I got everything done. Passport control and customs were a breeze, and I even had a nice breakfast of avocado on toast with a freshly squeezed apple and mint juice. I had plenty of time to spare and made a futile attempt to sleep at the gate for my next departure. Ultimately I gave up on and bought a caramel latte instead.
     I expected to see or meet the adviser of the Ph.D student I'm working with on the plane from Johannesburg to Upington. I was only looking for one person though, and out of a group of just under thirty people I still couldn't figure out who it was. We all boarded one of the smallest planes I've ever been on, with three seats across and barely any room for baggage. I was more than prepared to get this flight over with, but fate would not have it. Due to a mechanical issue, the plane was delayed an hour. During this point I did manage to briefly fall asleep in my seat, not that it helped much. This last trip was about an hour and a half, and we landed at a very small airport with one gate, in Upington, South Africa.
       At this point I was a bit worried. I knew I was supposed to be picked up by the airport, but I had never met the person and still hadn't figured out who the adviser was. I was standing near the door with my luggage and trying to figure out if my phone was even going to work when I finally saw a man walk in with a meerkat shirt on. I figured that he must be the right one, and sure enough I was right. The adviser I expected to meet came with his daughter, which explains why I didn't pick them out sooner. We all piled into a car for the next part of the journey.