Lumela!
We will be your bloggers from Group 2 of Lesotho 2009! My name is Tori Vogelgesang and I am a junior at Witt from Cincinnati, OH and this is my first time leaving the country. Co‐penning with me is Sarah Kelly, VP for Student Development and Dean of Students. We are both so excited to be going on this trip and all that it has in store for us.
After several rounds of headcounts, we’ve made it to Johannesburg safe and sound, all 29 of us. We landed just as the sun was setting and sky was a magnificent shade of pink. The flight was long no matter how many ways you cut it, but the movie selection was definitely impressive! We managed to see a few thunderstorms and the sunrise on our flight, which was awesome. It was also the shortest night any of us have ever experienced! The sun was up by almost midnight our time! Our trip from Atlanta was 7,800 miles and took about 15 hours. Group 1 was actually in the Johannesburg airport the same time we were, just in a different area. Several students had letters waiting for them from friends on the first trip. It was so thoughtful and much appreciated! We’re glad they had such an amazing time.
One thing that has become very apparent is how long everything takes when you’re working with a group of 30 people. Even bathroom breaks take a lot of time. So it was no surprise to us that it took almost two hours at the Johannesburg airport moving through immigration, collecting our luggage and exchanging money.
Upon leaving the airport we loaded the vans and turned on the radio. The first song we heard was Beyonce! Hah it was like we hadn’t even left America! We quickly remembered where we were when we noticed our driver Dwayne was sitting in the front right seat and driving on the left side of the road! We’ve just returned from a great dinner and everyone is looking forward to a hot shower and hitting the hay.
Tomorrow we have an 8‐hour bus ride to the Kingdom of Lesotho. After that our first real day of work will begin which we are all looking so forward to! So far it has been kind of surreal that we are actually in Africa! I think it will sink in more over the drive tomorrow. We will be in touch as soon as possible and look forward to your comments! Thanks for participating in this trip with us!
June 18th, 2009 - 4:32 pm
Tori!!
Sorry that I couldnt see you before you left, but im glad that you got there safely. Take a lot of pics and i cant wait to hear from you about the journey!!
Love & Peace
Yusuke
June 18th, 2009 - 4:54 pm
I know I am speaking for all the other Mom’s and Dad’s, that we sure are glad you all made it safe and sound. We sure are looking forward to hearing from you, on what we are certain will be the experience of a lifetime.
June 18th, 2009 - 7:48 pm
Just picked up our daughter from the first trip and from all that was shared and the few photos I’ve seen so far (out of the 800+ taken) you are in for an amazing experience. Say HI to Bre (Breanna Kimble) for all of us back here
I’ll enjoying reading your experiences as much as I did with the first group.
June 18th, 2009 - 9:23 pm
Tori and Jade , Dad says hi
Have fun and been safe
June 18th, 2009 - 10:02 pm
We feel better knowing that you made it there safely and we are looking forward to reading about your adventures. Take in all that you can - the time will go so quickly. Hey Em, LYM-M
June 19th, 2009 - 3:24 am
Like the Remingtons, we just picked Mitch up yesterday and are in awe over what he experienced during the last four weeks! We know you all will be forever changed by this experience and will also forever change in many ways all the children and adults you come in contact with through your service there. Hi to Shubes and DJ–you are in our thoughts and prayers!
June 19th, 2009 - 10:01 am
I’ve been tracking you on your journey wishing I were there with you! Tracked your flight and relieved when you landed. I’ve checked out the satellite map to see the area you are traveling, the weather & the terrain. Other than that it’s great to get your emails and blogs to fill in the blanks. Take care of each other and enjoy the experience of a lifetime! I love you Elyse!!
June 20th, 2009 - 9:15 pm
Alex,
I’m at work Saturday night and just read the blog to everyone. Everyone is impressed with the rhinos and paying to go the bathroom and all the little smiling faces! We just played ‘You Can Call Me Al’ for you. Josh is in Poland now and says hi and I can’t wait to keep reading about all that everyone is doing. And know this is going to change your life to the core. I love you, Mama.
June 25th, 2009 - 5:57 pm
Hello Tori and to your group:
We can’t believe you guys are relly there. We can’t wait to hear your stories and see pictures. Glad to hear everyone survived the thunderstorm.
Love ya Mom, Dad, Cathleen, Steven & Will and GG
June 26th, 2009 - 3:35 pm
Tori, Jade, Roby, Rudy, Julie…miss you all and hope you’re having a blast. Tiger up!