Arrival

FINALLY HERE!!!! 17hrs after getting on the plane in Atlanta (~16hr flight + 1hr waiting on the ground for someone to not have their passport issues resolved) and more than 24hrs after leaving Austin, I’ve met up with my first host family here in Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Completely different from what I remember in 2007…as it should because it is all brand new.

This image may appear somewhat compromising, but I’ve managed to get tickets to the USA Group Games!!! So psyched for USA-England tomorrow! 1776 and 1950 all over again!

Nice to have a bit of fun before I start work nice and early Monday morning. I really will be doing a research project while I’m here in South Africa. I hope to gain some insight as to whether the World Cup benefits small and micro enterprise in the tourism industry. That means interviewing B&B and Guesthouse owners, small tour operators, street vendors, curio and handicraft vendors, etc… Might even be able to distribute a survey, but most likely I will be gathering more in depth qualitative data. I already learned a new question I need to add to my list for the micro businesses: “Are you a South African citizen?” according to my hosts, many of these types of businesses are run by immigrants, not the local south african population.

anyway, here’s the photo of the deliriously happy and weary traveler at JHB

Lucky!! I managed to get some USA Tickets!

2 Replies to “Arrival”

  1. Yayyy!! I can’t believe you went to the world cup on Saturday… you luckky duck!! Can’t wait to hear about your first day at work! be safe!

  2. Many of those businesses ARE run by SOuth Africans…of course there are also Somalis and folks from Zim etc but those are not the type of businesses you are looking for..those are the very marginal businesses that are not formal and known as survivalists! I am sure in fact that hose guys ARE benefiting as they are the ones on the side of the road selling flags and vuvuzelas

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *