41,200 km's later.....

I sat today and worked out the total kilometers I travelled for my trip back to Africa and was amazed that including my return journey, I had travelled over 41,200kms in 14 days!!! Wow, that is quite a fair amount of flying, not to mention a total of over 60 hours travel time..........needless to say that jet lag took its toll. Al Gore said that "Airplane travel is nature's way of making you look like your passport photo!" - I couldnt agree more! But inspite of the long & exhausting travel - it was fantastic!

For those of you who dont know, I was invited to Kenny and Sharnas wedding in Durban, and I decided that I just HAD to go. So with a bit of planning, which started in September, my plans were underway. I had the unexpected joy of having half my trip paid for, I cant mention by whom on my blogg, but that was a HUGE blessing for me. So to cut a LONG story short (cause you dont want to still be reading this blogg update in 2008..............I arrived in Durban and stayed with my very dear friends Stella and Selby and little Jasmine. I had a wonderful time of catching up with everyone - and being at the wedding made it all the more special (if you would like to see more pictures from my trip, please see my online web album - go to: http://picasaweb.google.com/debslee.n.z ).

The amazing thing about my trip was that although I had left South Africa 8 months ago, it really felt like it was just the other day that I had left, and that 8 months had flown by. It was wonderful to also pop into the Homeguide, and see Sylvan and Els and everyone where I used to work. I am sorry though that it was a flying visit and I didnt get to spend more time with everyone, that I think was my only regret.

The wedding was stunning and I must say that this was one of the best weddings I have been to in a long time. What stood out for me, was you could see that the Lord had put this couple together and it was such a confirmation for so many people - I think that Kenny and Sharna found their "soul mate" in each other. I was so blessed to see old friends again from Zimbabwe - Mike and Shez, Glenda and Clive, and also see Trevor and Aloma, Kirk and Elodie and Peter and Jane from England - was so amazing and such a treat too! The hardest part was getting on the plane again and leaving - this is not easy.

However, next on my list was a surprise trip to Zimbabwe, where no one knew I was coming - only two people, Shez and Zodwa (you guys are brilliant at keeping a secret - as they say in Kiwi language "good on ya mate!". So I flew in under everyone's radar, and my first stop was Daily Print to surprise Cheryl. The funny thing was in the car, Zodwa and I were thinking up all these plans of how to surprise Cheryl and what we would do, so we had it all mapped out, and as we pull up outside the offices, I could not contain myself any longer and I dived out the car and said to Zods, "sorry I just want wait any longer" and ran inside, leaving Zods in my trail...........All you could hear from Cheryls office (and Fiona was there too) was screaming and shouts of joy as I popped my head in the door way and said "hello girls" - I am sure you can imagine the response! From then on it was non stop short visits as I had two days to visit all my friends and of course spend some time with my dad and Jenny. It truly was wonderful. (above is John, Tan, Fi and Cheryl).

I will post this blog now, as the next one is all about the return trip, which was a story all in its self!