So on my last post, I wrote that I wouldn’t be updating until I reached Africa. Scratch that idea.
I got to the Atlanta airport at 10 o’clock this morning, thinking that I would meet the rest of the team, and we would fly out to South Africa via London at 6:30 that same evening. We got in line to check in at about 5:00. After a half an hour of not moving up in line, we were all wondering what the problem was. We soon found out that the airline would not allow us to board the plane because we did not have the proper documentation saying we would be soon exiting South Africa upon arrival. I’m not entirely sure of all of the logistics of the problem, but suffice to say we are not allowed to fly out tonight.
We took the news like true World Racers. Several team members really stepped up and took charge of the situation and worked with the airline representatives to final an alternative solution. Meanwhile, the rest of the team headed back to the main concourse of the airport with our heaps of luggage and talked and played cards while we waited to find out what we would be doing tonight. During the whole fiasco, I did not hear one person complain about the sudden change of plans.
At training, we were told to expect the unexpected. We were told to be flexible. We were told to go with the flow. However, I don’t think it is possible to truly learn those lessons just by being told them. I think the lesson of flexibility is only garnered through experience. I think we got an A+ in our first true lesson learned. While today didn’t go as any of us planned, it was actually a great way to start the race by realizing that we aren’t the ones in control.
We are currently on a school bus driving to the AIM base in Gainesville, a northern suburb of Atlanta where we had training in April. We’re pitching our tents (or perhaps I’ll sneak inside and sleep in the kitchen with Elizabeth…) for the night. Tomorrow evening, 9 of us including myself will try this whole flight thing again with the proper documentation in hand (we hope). The rest of the team will head out on Thursday night and meet up with us in Swaziland.
Oh, the life of a World Racer. Love it; I want more! ☺
