Back on African soil. And for me, that is always always always a good thing. I do not understand it, but something fundamentally shifts in me when I am here. I am happy. At peace.
I landed at Johannesburg airport around 3:30 after the 14 hour flight from Atlanta and after cleaning security and customs was checked in at the Intercontinental by 5:00. If I only have a single night in Jo’Burg, I always stay here because it is literally right outside the front door of the airport. It’s expensive but very nice. I showered and headed to the bar and enjoyed an ice cold Castle Lager on the patio. After reading a little news and relaxing I had an appetizer of springbok carpaccio with roasted butternut squash along with a very nice Sauvignon Blanc from Stellenbosch. For main I had Butter Chicken with jasmine rice and it was excellent. South Africa has a good Indian culture and the Indian food here is generally very good. I was very tired and hungry since I did not eat anything on the plane except a few peanuts and a Kind bar.
I was planning on leaving after dinner but a nice local couple sat at the table next to me and we started chatting so I ordered another glass and talked for a bit. It was 8:00 when I got back to my room and feel asleep straight away and slept deliciously well after so many sleepless nights last week in Columbus and then the long flight.
The Martini Tales 