Cape Town-Joburg-Atlanta-Cayman Islands
After 31 hours of travelling I have finally arrived in Georgetown, Grand Cayman Island. It is winter here and everyone is walking around in bikini's and speedos..
The 17 hour flight from Johannesburg to Atlanta (I have never seen so many aeroplanes at one airport) went quickly, I must have slept quite well. I sat next to 2 lovely people who reassured me that I would not be deported for just being South African.
The nightmare began when I got off the plane only to realise that I had just two hours to catch my flight to the Cayman Islands. After first asking politely for help, I was ignored and told to stand in the motionless queue to the first customs check. I decided that I would NOT (capitals used to exaggerate the determination) miss my flight, they would have to detain me first. I stealthily jumped the queue and eventually made it to the official who (once again) was in the worst possible mood imaginable. I then sprinted through the airport (discreet!) and skipped every queue using my charm and wit, asthma pump in one hand and luggage in the other.
Boarding just on time, I dragged my swollen feet onto the aeroplane.
LIFE LESSON 1: Americans appreciate a person louder than themselves, you will be ignored if you try to be polite
I arrived at my cousin's flat to find a ziploc bag filled with Sparklers, Red bull, Rum cake, hawaiian florals, Nerds (a type of Wonka candy), Cayman's currency (CY 135-to be used for the boat trip to Sting Ray Island on the 1st) and a letter from my cousin, Bianca. She is returning from her cruise on the 1st and is currently in the American Island of St Thomas.
I went to dinner with an American family whose daughter is friends with my cousin. We discussed the definition of 'now', 'now now' and 'just now' and other South African phrases which they found quite amusing. I am suddenly very aware of the amount of times I use the word 'ja'.
I was also shocked to hear that they found the Island to be very expensive. I then proceeded to tell them that I would have to 'live like a bergie'. When translated, 'live like a homeless person', did not get the same effect that I intended.
South African phrases:
'now'-5 minutes
'now now'-15 minutes
'just now'-hours..days...weeks
American terms to remember:
Rusks-biscotti
Cookies-biscuits
yeh-ja
traffic light-robot
I will be back, just now..
