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I spent a few relaxing days in Jo’burg with my friends, Leor and Josh, whom I met while backpacking with my sister in India in May 2008. Jo’burg was the last stop on my trip. From there, I flew back to the US. I couldn’t believe that my time in Africa had come to an end. I was excited to return to the US. But it has definitely been one of the most amazing years of my life, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to leave the African continent just yet. Unfortunately (or fortunately), plane tickets make you set semi-permanent dates in advance.
Instead of returning directly to the US for good, I thought it was best to soften the reverse culture shock blow. And considering I don’t have a job anyway, I decided to head to Nicaragua and Mexico to participate in a Spanish immersion program. My plan is to return to the US for good (aka at least a few months) in mid-July.
In Jo’burg I stayed with my friend, Leor. It is actually a funny story how I know Leor. When Risa and I were backpacking in India last year, we met Josh and Leor from South Africa. We spent about 4 days traveling with them. Coincidentally, they are also Jewish. In a 24-hour period in Jo’burg, I managed to eat kosher ribs, chicken, hot dogs and a burger. I had to get my kosher meat fill. It was glorious.
Leor and I chowing down on kosher burgers!
Being a cheap and adventurous backpacker, I decided to take the bus from one side of the continent to the other (check out a map of Southern Africa). It involved 3 buses, a border crossing and 28 hours to reach my destination. For $100 more I could have flown, but this was more fun. And anyway, Intercape (the bus line) has nice and comfortable buses and was only 2 hours late in the end. That is significantly better than any buses in Tanzania. Yup, I know what you are thinking. I am crazy.
