Bye Bye SA...I'll miss you...

Hello everybody.

I have been really busy and haven't had much time to write, until now, so here it is - the story of my first 12 days in the USA.

I left Durban airport, after saying goodbye to my family (I had already had to say goodbye to my "Margate" family 3 days before that, Rebecca I hope you didn't cry too much!) and the last words I said were "No, you're a push-nut!" ha ha that’s sounds pretty ridiculous I suppose, but my little bro likes that word that’s what he calls everyone and although no one is quite sure what it means, the giggle it produces when he says it so worth letting a 5 year old call you a 'push-nut'!

Riley, Roic and I at Durban Airport

I got on the plane, planning to sleep...that didn't really happen though, probably 'cos I was seated next to a very nice gentleman who was telling me stories about the airports he built and although this was totally fascinating *yawn* I probably would have benefited from a few more hours of sleep! When I arrived at JHB my friend had arranged for another friend to fetch me as she was driving back from Kruger and wasn't going to make it back in time. After hanging around with Jade and Craig, Annelize came to fetch me and instead of heading home (like I thought was the plan) we headed to her previous job, a cocktail bar...but thankfully we didn't stay too long. Once we reached home...I was thoroughly ready for bed! We woke up early the next morning and went shopping a little then headed to the airport.

Pictures from the sky

Once at the airport I meet up with a fellow au pair from Durban, Annelize decided to stay away from long drawn out goodbyes and so we parted ways then and there. Ravashnie and I just chilled for a while then as we were getting ready go through the boarding gates I noticed a young blonde who was brawling her eyes out, I asked if she was an au pair, and her family just laughed...she is a repeat au pair, so it gave me hope that if people come back a second time, it can't be that bad, right?

Ravashnie and I just before boarding

I am not even going to TRY and explain what me trying to sit still for 18 and a half hours looks like - use your imagination! After 10 hours of flying and at least 1 hour of delays (true SA style) when landed in Senegal, only to re-fuel and to have these security men come and check all the seats (for hidden bombs) and to spray disinfectant in the air all around us, Argh cough cough!

My first look at America

*Hi-lighted words are explained in the glossary page

Orientation, Milwaukee and a new start...

Orientation was 4 days of rules, regulations, videos, lectures and a lot of info. Things like *don’t shake the baby* and other useful tips like that.  On the first day most of the girls received gifts from their families (flowers, cookies, sweets etc) I received - nothing! Until the second say when I arrived in my room and there was a lovely bouquet of what I thought was flowers, then upon closer inspection I realized the whole arrangement was made out of fruit...it was so pretty and healthy!

 

Fruit basket from my family

I think the hardest thing to deal with in the first few days was - the traffic! Everyone warned me that Americans drive on the other (wrong) side of the road but, they all failed to mention that means when you are a crossing the road you should look the other way too! So us Safa girls would start walking across the road (thinking it was clear only to suddenly realize we had to run, go back or get squashed - so we ran! I'm happy to report I am getting used to looking every direction when I across now!

Getting lost in Stamford, CT

On our last day of orientation we got told how we were getting to our families, I had to fly (about two hours) but since my flight was delayed (yes, even in America they have delays) I only arrived at the Milwaukee airport at 11pm...Shoo...I was tired! My host dad came to fetch me and took me to the house; it is a very pretty house. It’s a 2 story house plus basement; I’m on the main floor while the rest of the family is on the upper floor. That will make for noisy Saturday morning, hmmm.

My new home

My first few days in Milwaukee were pretty cool (the weather and the vibe)When I showed my host family my warmest "jacket" (a hoodie I had stolen from my brother at the airport *thanks Rayson*) they laughed and asked, do you realize it gets pretty cold here? Once I told them that this probably was the warmest thing in Margate and that I planned to buy stuff in Wisconsin, they realized I did know what I was getting myself into. I have since brought one warm jacket but am thinking I may need another one (or two!) The family couldn't believe that I thought it was chilly here (60 F/15.5C is chilly to me; I do come from sunny South Africa after all!) 

My limited wardrobe...guess I'll have to go shopping :) 

*Hi-lighted words are explained in the glossary page