11/16/17 - On 10/24, at 4 30 pm, Louise stopped by and picked me up to take me to the airport.  We needed to go a little early since she does like to drive at night and it was not a problem for me.  I got some dinner and then left on Jet Blue at 8 40 pm with a non stop to John F. Kennedy Airport in New York.  My duffel bag was checked through to Johannesburg.  We arrived at 4 50 am.

10/25 - I had to transfer from the domestic terminal 5 to the international terminal 4.  Since the flight did not leave until 11 15 am, I had plenty of time to get between terminals which was a little of a walk and included taking the train.  When I got to terminal 4, I learned that African Airlines would not be at the desk until for a while so had a little of a wait.  When they did arrived and before they actually opened the ticket counter, I learned that my boarding pass I had gotten in San Diego, had to be re-issued by African Airlines so had to stand  in line for a new boarding pass.  After re-checking in and going through security, I found the gate and waited or my niece Deborah to arrive.  Deborah arrived, we chatted and then left JFK at 11 15 am for Johannesburg.  We were told it would be almost a 14 hour flight.  The plane was not full but by the time we realized that, everyone had already spread out so sleeping was a little difficult but we both managed.

10/26 - We got to Johannesburg at 7 45 am.  We found our duffel bags and then met the O.A.T travel agent outside of baggage.  We were than transported to the O.R. Tambo Protea Hotel and riding with us we learned was a couple (Suzanne and Bill) that would be traveling with us for the next 15 days.  We got to the hotel and were told the rooms were not ready so we spent some time out by the pool waiting for our room.  When we got to the room, we took a nap and were not very hungry because of all the food we got on the plane so we had some snacks with us and just stayed in for the evening.