Saturday 07 March

Arrived at last! We rushed to Starbucks as soon as we had passed through customs (with our bags, if you can believe that they got here without incident) and, even though the fact that a Grande Cuppachino cost us $3.35 (sob), it was SO worth it. (And Grant publicly thanks the Drinkwaters for treating him to his first cup of America's favourite.) Printed on Grant's cup of brew was The Way I See It # 21: "People need to see that, far from being an obstacle, the world's diversity of languages, religion and traditions is a great treasure, affording us precious opportunities to recognise ourselves in others." We trust that it will prove true for this trip and for the people we meet.

As far as the flight was concerned: if any of us are ever given the news that we have 24 hours to live, we will ask to fly SAA to the USA, because it will surely be the longest 24 hours possible, and by the end, we know that we will be quite looking forward to death! Those planes must be bigger than they look, because we couldn't find a flight attendant anywhere. After settling in at a motel, we were treated to lunch at Applebees, a great little spot that was packed with a victorious junior high basketball team and entourage.

Sue and Ernie Bentley took us to Downtown Roanoke for supper. This older part of the city has a fantastically first-world atmosphere to it, and in parts, restaurant seating spills out onto the pavements. We ate at "Corned Beef&Co.", and all ended up ordering the same thing; smoked pork and pecan salad, which was monstorous in its proportions, yet so delicious that no-one failed to finish.

After dinner, we took a walk over the "Glass Bridge" to the historic Roanoke Hotel, a tudor-style beauty that, along with the ultra modern art gallery, dominates the area.

Friday 06 March

It is 23:30 and the (dream) team are mostly dreaming (behind very stylish blindfolds courtesy of SAA). According to the flight path indicated on the screen, on the headrest in front of me, we are just over halfway to Dakar (Senegal), our one stop on the way to Dulles airport, in the USA. We are 38000ft above sea-level and the temperature outside is -23C (looks like my 3-in-1 jacket from Excelsior will come in handly if I decide to step outside).

Today has been long and difficult. Long, because it has been spent almost entirely in planes and airports. Difficult, because the reality of leaving home for 6wks has finally sunk in for some. Of course the pull of the promise, of new things excites us all, and all the work we've put into being prepared is starting to make sense. In truth I think we are all a little apprehensive about what to expect (from the USA and from ourselves) but as someone once said "it is better to know those with whom you travel than to know the path upon which you travel".

That is the biggest bonus for us; actually enjoying each others company and learning to trust eachother as our friendships deepen.

We're taking off for the USA!!!

The time has finally arrived! After 9 months of planning and preparation (something parents might be used to but not the singles amongst us) we are leaving from East London at 11:30am South African Time and we will arrive in Roanoke, the following day, at 7:30am Eastern Standard Time. There is a 7 hour time difference.

We have completed our final presentation to the Rotarians of East London, kindly hosted by the Rotary Club of Beacon Bay. No more South Africans need to suffer through our presentation, it is now Virginians who will be afflicted.

All the team members have suffered from sleep deprivation the last week or so, what with late nights of marking, packing and early mornings for travelling. Between PJ and Norah-Ann most of the country has been criss-crossed in the last week, due to business and family commitments (they insist) not because they were holidaying.

It is safe to say that it is time, the labour pains are behind us. Come on team, let's GO!

Predeparture Roadtrip

Our first week of presentations in South Africa has passed successfully. We got some valuable feedback from all four of our presentations: in Queenstown, Port Alfred and twice in Port Elizabeth. It has given us the opportunity to iron out some flaws and get used to the nerves, and it has allowed our sponsoring clubs to share an aspect of our GSE experience.

(Pic1: Trevor & Norah-Ann working)

(Pic2: The Team, with Etienne, the President of RC Port Alfred)

Queenstown also allowed us the opportunity to spend time with PJ and Grant's families.

(Pic3: Three of Pj's beautiful daughters - they take after their mother)

(Pic4: Grant's mischievious sons - they take after their father)

Final Planning

The Team is meeting in Queenstown this weekend for our final planning meeting and for our first presentation. We will be accommodated by Rose Lodge B&B for the weekend. We look forward to seeing our newly printed brochures and our corporate clothing. In addition we will do a presentation for the Lukhanji Sunset Rotary Club which will provide us with good practice before a week of presentations to the Port Alfred Rotary Club on Tuesday morning, 17 February; followed by a presentation with the Sunrise and PE West clubs in Port Elizabeth on Thursday evening, 19 February; and finally to the King William's Town Rotary Club on Thursday night, 26 February. Our final SA presentation prior to departure will be to the East London Rotary Clubs on Thursday, March 05, the night before we fly out. The trip and GSE experience are starting to become a reality after 9 months of planning. Everyone is very busy tying up loose ends for the GSE trip, and attempting to complete our usual work responsibilities in a manner that will leave our colleagues glad to see us upon our return in April.