Almost 30 hours since I boarded my first plane in Johannesburg, South Africa yesterday and I am now back on Canadian soil in Toronto. The first segment of my return from South Africa to Germany was uneventful - which considering the recent aviation events is not a bad thing. The second leg of the journey home (Germany - Toronto) got a bit interesting.
Three hours into the Frankfurt - Toronto flight a frantic announcement requesting a medical doctor on board to identify them self to a crew member. The older gentlemen sitting across the aisle from me eventually identified himself as a doctor and was rushed to somewhere in the back of the aircraft (not sure where exactly as I received an upgrade to executive class where you cant see any of the economy people). After a lot of excitement and increased blood pressure for the in-flight staff the situation seemed to loose urgency. Eventually the doctor returned to his seat with a slightly disgusted look on his face as apparently the event was nothing too major. A women had passed out when she got up to go to the washroom which was the catalyst for hysteria. When the women came to she was quite worked up and was demanded to go to the nearest hospital for treatment - I am not sure she necessarily recalled that we were 39,000 feet above the Atlantic Ocean.
When we arrived in Toronto the plane was met by full paramedic and emergency service personnel. All passengers had to wait on the plane until the women was carried out on a stretcher by paramedics. As a result, I missed my connecting plane to Winnipeg. Fortunately, I received a seat on the next flight out to Winnipeg this afternoon without any delays. By late this evening I should (pending any other delays) be back in Brandon.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Slight Mid-Air Emergency Delay (not for or caused by me) but in Toronto
Friday, July 3, 2009
Not a Real Trip without a Robbery
When I arrived yesterday in Johannesburg I was not joined by luggage. Apparently, it decided to spend an extra night in Mozambique. Although an inconvenience it was fairly minor as I am on the final days of my adventure. My luggage would follow on the next flight and be delivered to my hostel late that evening. I was skeptical of the evening delivery however my luggage did appear - or part of my luggage.
Somewhere between checking my luggage in Maputo and its delivery to the hostel my possessions were informally re-distributed to new owners. How convenient. After the thieves broke the lock on my bag (which they kindly placed inside my bag) they proceeded rumage around my bag and steal five items: winter jacket, shoes, flashlight, hat, and sandals. Thankfully this occurred near the end of my trip and not the beginning. I spent much of this afternoon filling out airline re-imbursement forms and police reports. The odds of being adequately compensated would appear to be slim, however, I would welcome the surprise.
No adventure would be complete without one robbery!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
R$500 to See a Doc in South Africa - Thanks Maptuo!
Maputo was such an interesting city, however, I am not too disappointed to have left the city! The night before leaving I noticed small red dots on my shoulder. My first thought was bed bugs but after investigating further I ruled out this possibility. Although reassuring it was not bed bugs I would like to have known the source of the mysterious red bumps - insect bite or allergic reaction? I started to wonder about the greasy mystery meat I was served and if it could be the source. This morning when I went to investigate the red dots on my shoulder I discovered while I was sleeping the dots reproduced! Rather than try to locate a hospital/clinic in Maputo and then try to explain the situation in English to a Portuguese doctor I waited until I arrived in Johannesburg as a decent hospital is located about 20 minute walk from my hostel.
When I arrived at the walkin clinic the first question from the receptionist was "how will you be paying". Such a foreign concept to pay for medical services before even presenting your name. Before I could proceed into the examination room the receptionist wanted an imprint of my cred card - I guess this was so that I couldn't dash off without paying! Perhaps I look like the sort of shady character that would dash off without paying? After a short 10 minute wait I was visited by a doctor who declared the red dots tropical insect bites common to Mozambique. When the doctor inquired about my accommodations in Maputo I started to laugh and then proceeded to tell him about the elevator that didn't quite reach the 8th floor. He laughed and sympathized as he has stayed once at the Hotel Santa Cruz! After hearing the description of the tropical insects and the side effects I was glad I headed into the hospital. This type of insect bite can lead to massive infections and all sorts of nasty stuff. The doctor handed me a prescription for 3 different medications (none of which I can pronounce, let alone spell). Before the door closed when the doctor left the office the receptionist was in the room with the bill for 500 Rand (equivalent of C$80) for the doctor consultation and and 100 Rand (~C$15) for taking my temperature and blood pressure.
I am happy to say that I am drugged up and feeling fine. In a couple of days I should be back to normal and in my own bed in Brandon.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Roosters + Car Alarms + Pigeons = Little Sleep
The 'faulty towers' like accommodations is proving to be a constant source of amusement, however, not a place to get much sleep. Unlike previous accommodations it is not my neighbours keeping me up. Rather three events usually wake me up every hour:
- Similar to Zambia there are a few roosters within proximity to the hostel that start annoying me at 4:30 AM.
- Throughout the night and early morning there is usually one car alarm going off each hour. My assumption is that someone is trying to informally distribute wealth. Each alarm usually goes off for 5-10 minutes before it is turned off.
- Two walls of my hostel room are entirely windows. This provides a great view of the city through the 'somewhat' clean windows. Unfortunately, it also provides a ledge for pigeons to congregate on once the sun rises. There oh so pleasant sounds usually start after the car alarms end - I guess no one wants to steal a car in the day light hours!
Since the weather is absolutely beautiful (unlike Cape Town) I am willing to contend with interrupted sleep.
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