Return to the Motherland

Marci and I will be traveling to South Africa this summer.
YAAAAY for us!
It's been a good 15 years since my family left, and I decided that it was now or never.
(The other motivating factor was that I found airfares really cheap)
The best part is that I get to plan the whole trip. Marci told me last week that she just wants to go, and have it all organized.
This is awesome!
And so I have planned a week long trip across the Karoo desert on camelback.
(Don't tell her it is going to be a big surprise.)
Yeah right. Can you imagine? "We are doing what?" Followed by the look of death.
You know, the one all wives give their husbands when what they are trying to say is - "Have you lost your mind"
I used to get that look a lot when we first got married. Now I know when it is coming and I just start to laugh nervously, or do what all guys do and say "ha, ha, just joking" in the nick of time.

I have discovered that ladies like traveling away from home only on the following conditions:
1: Proximity to a working electrical outlet must be maintained.
2: Proximity to a working toilet, must also be maintained
3: An entire country must ensure that their electrical system will function with the grooming tools of choice - namely hairdryer, and curling iron. (Works in conjunction with rule #1)
4: A much larger then necessary suitcase is required, and non-negotiable.
5: Any overflow of luggage will require additional space in your luggage, also non-negotiable (see section a/addendum B "using sex as a bargaining tool")
6: Proximity to running water must be maintained at all times
7: Running water MUST be available in a heated configuration.

Men have few rules for travel. In fact, these are some of Sean's rules and tips.
1: Always carry on luggage. They cant lose it that way, and no checking baggage!!
2: Travel light - underwear can be turned inside out if necessary
3: If I forget it here, I can buy it there.
4: I don't want to talk to anyone on the plane, even pleasant old ladies. I just want to sit and be quiet and miserable like everyone else
5: Don't take shampoo or soap, the hotel will have plenty of that stuff. Then you don't have to put it in those little bags for security.
6: Always get the aisle seat, that way you can get up when you need to.
7: Check in online at home, print your boarding pass, and go right to security. No checking in. This has saved my butt from missing a flight countless times.
8: Always travel with earplugs. You never know when that broken old A/C in your hotel room is going to go click, click, click all night.
9: Essentials for any trip - your most comfy jeans, and an I-pod
10: Leave your parking stub in your car, under the visor. Once you get into the airport put your car keys in a secure place - for me usually in a pocket in my suitcase.
11: Remember your parking spot!! A handy trick I use is to send myself a text message with the space number. Nothing is worse than getting into a dark parking lot after a long flight and not remembering where you parked the car. I did this once on a cold, snowy night, and walked the lot for 45 mins in my business shoes and dress pants. Never again. This way you store the number on your cell phone and voila.

There you go.
I am looking forward to spending time just with my wife. Once we see all our family, Marci and I are going to head out in to the eastern cape for 3 days, just us.
We are going up the garden route (google it if you want) after we spend some treasured time with my grandparents, and my family.

I will be sure to post a very informative blog after our trip!

Sean.

Some info on Cape Town
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Town