Cape Town at Last

First day, first impressions.

So after three awful days on the airplane, we are here in Cape town staying in a small but quaint B and B nestled against the Table Mountain. A room with a bed look so good to us after trying to maneuver sleep in an airplane seat. Any way you position, sleep is hit and miss and noisy and uncomfortable. Even getting through Heathrow this time made us laugh. Would you believe that I got stopped and searched all over only to find out that I had a capstick in my pocket that had a metal outside. So now Cape Town and first impressions...the airport was clean and efficient so getting out of there with our baggage was a relief. I am always relieved when I see our Reardon bags. Then we called the Taxi service that our Cross Cultural told us to use at all times. Again, this was a smart move because when you get off of the plane and are ready to get transportation, there are about 20 taxi drivers who immerge on you. We were told that many are not safe nor leggit. So here comes Rashid from Excite Taxi.....very charming and informative. Sigh of relief once again. He knows his way around and told us little things we could use now and again. We have found another member of our group in our b and b. She is a retired army vet..nurse from Kuwait.....who is travelling and experiencing many things. Poor thing had the airlines loose her luggage...so right now she has the clothes on her back..I made her a care package for now and she was greatful.
Driving to the B and B we passed at least ten different townships. THese are areas that started during apartheid and have remained. It reminded me of the slums in Slum Dog Millionaire....house upon house made of cardboard, metal, whatever. It is here that we will work.. Cape Town is preparing for the football games in 2010...so there you have the modern springing up...what a contrast side by side.... that got me first... Looking forward to having a good night sleep in a real bed...jet lag will not be so bad then when we check in tomorrow at our place for three week. So bye for now.... Love, Dianne