From Durban to Cape Town - 3 Carryon Bags?
Trip Start
May 29, 2007
1
37
41
Trip End
Jul 18, 2007
Cape Town,
South Africa
Monday, July 16, 2007
This morning (Saturday), instead of paying for a ride, we hitchhiked with two Dutch guys who stayed at the same lodge. They were flying out at the same time and offered to take us for free! Very Nice.
The two Dutch gentlemen filled the trunk with their belongings. As a result, we crammed all of our luggage and ourselves into the back seat. Aaron and I had two bags each that were to be checked. Also, we each had a carryon and a personal. This was a remarkable feat. We were smashed. Turns out the previous minibus rides were good preparation.
We made it to the airport in plenty of time to check in. Mango airlines would be taking us to Cape Town. While checking in, we were informed that each passenger's checked baggage must be 20kgs. Or less. Considering Aaron and I have 20 kgs. of Maize flower, this was a problem.
For starters, we placed our two largest bags onto the weighing meter. 56.6kgs lit up across the monitor. Luckily, the lady cut us a break and allowed us to check the two largest bags. Now, we had the problem of three carryons each.
The bag I intended on checking contained three primary things:
Drugs - (OTC drugs from the States - NOT illegal African drugs brought for the purpose of pushing) Hot Sauce - Like 20 bottles (for gifts). 10kgs. Of maize flour (which could be easily mistaken for cocaine)
Here's the problem. In case you haven't flown anywhere in the past few years let me explain a primary rune. You aren't allowed to bring any fluids on the plane unless they can fit into a single 'pint-sized' ziplock bag. Also the bottles inside the bag must contain less than 3 ounces of fluid each. Do you see the problem yet?
I don't have a ziplock bag I HAVE 20 BOTTLES OF HOT SAUCE!
Having no idea what to do, I weighed out my options. Wait, I had no options. It was carry on, or try to carry on, the highly unapproved contents of the bag or leave it behind. And everybody knows, you can't turn your back on a good hot sauce.
It was game time. I walked up to the security station. The lady found it odd that I had two carryons and one personal, but my confident facial expression seemed sufficient to satisfy her puzzled expression.
It was time for the x-ray machines. "Surely they will see the 20 bottles of practically flammable hot sauce," I thought as I hoisted my belongings onto the conveyer belt. Doubt-filled, I sheepishly walked underneath the metal detecting archway and waited.
My bags came through. I glanced around, sure to meet the eyes of a hardened airport security guard waiting to interrogate, but I saw no such thing. Instantly, I grabbed my bags. I couldn't believe it! I was shocked! Here I was about to board a plane with a suitcase full of drugs, hot sauce, and maize flour (that looked like cocaine). BENDING THE LAW! I hope this kind of thing doesn't happen too often. The flight was short and the descent into Cape Town was scenic.
I realized while waiting at the baggage claim in Cape Town that I am an impatient American. It only took about 15 minutes to get our luggage, but it felt like hours. I looked around and everyone was perfectly content on waiting. Not me though. Haha - It was funny how I expected my baggage to instantly appear upon my arrival - The spoils of an American airport I suppose.
I caught myself doing things like rolling my eyes (I looked like Morgan), looking at my watch (who does that? - like it's going to make a difference anyway), and making those preteen girl sighing noises... Then I got my act together and realized that no matter how bothered I was, it wasn't going to expedite the process.
We were picked up by Claire and Gareth Gordon after we collected our belongings. They are friends of Aaron. The Gordon's moved down to Cape Town a few years ago and offered us a place to crash during our stay. Thanks!
We got situated at the Gordon's and then headed to church.
We pulled in at 2:27. Church started at 2:30. After the sermon on "ANGER," church adjourned and we began fellowshipping. The Cape Town church has about 40 members. They were a lively bunch of people, and very talkative.
One member showed a keen interest in our travels - Ivan Weber. I told him the grand theft auto tale and about our adventures throughout Africa. He found the border arrest story most amusing.
After church, Aaron, Claire, Gareth, and I met up with a few church members at a local coffee house for a hot beverage. Two hour's worth of caffeine and conversation later, we departed back to Claire and Gareth's home.
Dinner was enjoyed at a brilliant waterfront Portuguese restaurant. Home and bed were next. Cape Town is tremendous.
The journey is still unfolding. More to come.
