ENTRY 1

When I booked my flight online on Iberia Airlines to travel to South Africa as a volunteer for Friends of The Peace Train in Ngcolosi (pronounced naw-law-see), I was quite pleased with the airfare Iberia offered. When I took a cursory glance at the flight itinerary sent via email with my flight confirmation, I must admit I wasn't thrilled about having to transfer to another flight via Barcelona (Spain) to reach Johannesburg, South Africa. (I really am not a fan of flying.) However, I did look forward to reaching my final destination and just resigned myself to believe I was sure to have some exciting adventures along the way. I would be traveling with two other Friends of the Peace Train volunteers, Sharon Katz and Jane Konrad. We departed from JFK airport in New York for our first leg of the journey, Barcelona, Spain.

I was so happy when we touched down safely in Barcelona, arriving after 10AM (4AM, back home in Philadelphia and I barely slept on the flight). We had a full day to spend here because our next flight was scheduled to depart at nearly 11PM. We went to Iberia Airlines to get our boarding passes for our flight to Johannesburg. Ayeeeeee! Surprise! We find out our flight itinerary failed to indicate we have yet one more flight to get on before we board another flight to get us to Johannesburg. We have to take a flight from Barcelona to Madrid, then a flight from Madrid to Johannesburg! Did I mention how much I really dislike flying??!! With boarding passes in tow, we exchange some U.S. dollars for Euros, receive directions to get to a sightseeing bus, and we go to a storage place across the street from the airport, to safely, temporarily store our carry-on luggage in lockers. By the way, the things I was carrying included: my own pink and black rolling carry-on bag, my large black handbag(stuffed with lots of things), a travel-size Scrabble game, a hardback book and one of Sharon's guitars on my back. (I did have a black hooded jacket that I had around my waist, took off on the flight from New York and inadvertently left on the plane, probably entangled in the blanket I used on the plane.) We asked a few people to let us know which bus to take to get us to Catalunya, where we would board another bus for a tour of the city.  We received responses in some words we could understand in broken English and some we had no idea what they saying in Spanish but we could understand the direction they were pointing. We board the bus we need to and soon reach our destination.  We purchase tickets for the tour bus which will allow us to hop off and on at various tourist attractions.

 (To be continued)

10/6/2009 5:41:17 PM - 002022988860

Whit,

Thanks so much for taking the time to write. Stop the "jelling" and make plans to join me in South Africa. It will truly be an unforgettable experience. Love you much!

DeeDeeKhethiwe :)

10/5/2009 12:20:21 PM - 002091625176
Dee Dee
oh my goodness I love the pictures. I am so proud of you and a bit jealous. Who knew you were a professional with the camera! You look wonderful and the images just took my breath away! wow! what an amazing journey. I am deeply touched and kudos on your work and writtings.

miss you tons you are truly blessed Ms. Khethiwe!
:)
Whitney*

1/21/2009 2:44:19 AM - 002022988860

Merle,

Thanks so much for visiting the Wendy Loves Africa Website and leaving your comment. Our trip to South Africa was truly an unforgettable journey for me too. I was blessed to have met you and our other travel companions.  

Peace, Blessings and Prosperity to you,

Khethiwendi

1/20/2009 1:56:14 AM - 002054516736

Dear Wendy:

   Your (camera) eye captured so many memories for me that I keep going back to relive our journey.  I remember  so many of the childrens' faces, the places we visited, the smells, the food and, most of all, the mix of personalities of other people on our tour.....anyone who sees the images can only use their imagination but we lived it!!!

   It is with love in my heart and good wishes for a joyous and peaceful New Year that I send this,

           with deepest thanks,

              Merle

               

 

9/13/2008 2:43:41 PM - 002029812860

Wendy,

   This was a true pleasure. I have never seen pictures so pretty. The depth and colors are fantastic. I loved the dancing and all the performances were spectacular. I would like more information on touring South Africa and also going to the school that you visited. I will check out the other links on your page.  God's Peace Thanks Terrie

9/4/2008 7:46:28 PM - 002027976970

Wendy,

 

Thank you for the wonderful journey to South Africa via your pictures and videos. I look forward to my journey to South Africa with you and your friends. It was such a pleasure to meet and be entertained by such wonderful performers on Tuesday evening at Temptations, the music was infectious especially the saxophone.  I'm sure that the mission that the Peace Train is on will continually grow as they Serve, educate and empower  more people come aboard,  I'm glad that you reserved me a seat on The Peace Train.

 

Love and Peace,

Keith G.

9/1/2008 1:59:31 PM - 001065324949

Dear Sister Wendy,

Thank you for coming with The Peace Train to South Africa. Your pictures and stories take me home and I love to visit this site often to see how you have captured the  beauty and depth of our home.

Ngiybonga kakhulu.

Our journey will continue as we build together and bring our energy and love to the children!

Peace & Love,
Sharon Katz

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