Best Sunset -- South Africa

Best Sunset -- South Africa
Originally uploaded by tuckergurl.

I got back to New York yesterday FINALLY after a sort of hellish travel experience. In short, because I thought I had a multiple entry visa but really had a single entry visa, they would not let me back into Nigeria to leave. Our "compromise" was that I slept in the airport for a day and then was able to fly home that following night. They would not let me leave the premesis because I was a "criminal" for trying to come into Nigeria without a visa. It was so insane. There were a few of us in the same boat so at least I was not alone. I does not feel like such a big deal now but it really was at the time.

This trip has been really amazing. I am not so articulate right now because it has been chock full of incredible (and incredibly different) experiences. I really did cram a lot into these 7 weeks.

Since I am a fan of lists, I decided to do a Best of list. (For those who do not read that often, I went to South Africa, Rwanda, Nigeria & Ghana.) I am sure I will have a lot to say about all of my experiences but I'll write about things as they come up.

Best Restaurant: Tanjia in Lagos, a pricey Moroccan restaurant. I do love Moroccan food. Why haven't I gone to Moracco?

Best Wine: Well, South Africa of course . It is what they are known for. I had some amazing Italian wine that a woman brought to a get together I went to in Abuja, Nigeria. I should have written the name of that wine down.

Best Duty Free Shops: Nairobi, Kenya. I spent a nice amount of time in that airport.

Best Airport: Johannesburg, South Africa. Great bookshop and perfect for last minute souvenir shopping!

Best TV Show: Scandal, a South African soap though Big Brother Nigeria did peak my interest.

Best Internet Cafe: This is an unfair category mainly because there is a bit of a dearth of cafes in Ghana and I never needed one in Nigeria or Rwanda but I would recommend the cafes in Obz in Cape Town. You will not be sorry.

Best Party: I went to an outdoor party in Osu, a ritsy neighborhood in Accra, Ghana. It had a great Hi-LIfe band.

Best Looking Currency: Rwanda. I like the look of the franc.

Best Souvenirs: Ghana has great stuff that is pretty cheap. However, if you live in Brooklyn, chances are that everyone on your block has most of this stuff.

Best Experience Overall: I gotta say that building that house for Zanele as part of Habitat was the highlight. You gotta build a house for Habitat for Humanity. It really is amazing and hopefully you'll go with as cool people as I did.

I have learned a lot and and am writing more about it in my journal. I'll share more later.

It is strange how your life just goes back to the way it was. I came home, watched the VH1 video countdown, made some coffee. It was like I never left and that's not a bad thing. One thing I learned that I can share is that my life really is not all that bad. I think I thought I would come back and really have clarity on the things that suck about my life. What I learned is that I like a lot about my life and am excited about some things to come. I've been waay to focused on what I have lost and not focused enough on all of the great things in my life. That has definately changed.

Comments

[Beebs]

welcome home!

[David Jacobs]

hello, Angela!

[adriana]

angela, welcome home. i can't wait to hear more about your experiences.

[MS. World]

You sound amazing! I'm glad your travels went well. I love your list. And I totally understand your feeling of coming back home and easily slipping back into your routine of life. I've been away for 2 1/2 years but upon my return to my mother's home- I feel like i didn't leave! Peace, Ms. World aka Chinita

[elzizah]

http://abujanigeria.blogspot.com/

http://abujanigeria.blogspot.com/

Join us share the beauty of Abuja Nigeria together with lots of other friends.

[elzizah]

http://abujanigeria.blogspot.com/

Join us share the beauty of Abuja Nigeria together with lots of other friends.

[John Wynne]

Hello , Angela

Wow, you seem to have had such a fantastic trip and South Africa my homeland is a really woonderful country. I'm always thrilled when people enjoy it. If you get a chance please add your experience of the sunset to the site http://www.4southafricatours.com/todo/Romantics.html or alternatively would you mind if we quoted you and put a reference to your blog.

Viva Cape Town, South Africa

[maggie]

welcome back! And thanks for warming my heart not only with a list, but a list that is all BESTS. that is my favorite thing in the world.

[Teresa]

Welcome back! I've enjoyed your posts.

[katherine Leggett]

7 weeks already! welcome home, and what a priceless 'lesson' you learned while away.

[tuckergurl]

John-

Feel free to reference my blog. I have nothing but great things to say about Cape Town.

Thanks everyone for the warm waishes and for reading!!!

[K Lance]

Glad you are back. Looking forward to see what comes out of this trip for you...

[Chantel]

Hey there!
I'm a South African living in London. I've just been home to South Africa for 2 weeks. I must agree, though I've not been to any other African countries airports, that Johannesburg airport has definitly stepped up a level since I left there 3 years ago. Thanks for all your lists they're very interesting and helpful for anyone going on a similiar trip.
I can also vouch for the South African wine, I went on a cheese and wine tasting trip myself last week - thoroughly enjoyable!!

I'm planning a trip to USA this year, I heard Brooklyn is the best area to stay in if you're visiting New York, is this true?

Look forward to reading more cool advetures.

Chantel

[tuckergurl]

Brooklyn ROCKS!!! It is a lot less hectic but be sure you are staying in a part of Brooklyn that is not far by subway from Manhattan. Since you are visiting, you will want to be able to get into Manhattan easily.