We’re going to South Africa!

Many of you probably already know this, but the time has come, and we’re actually going to South Africa for two weeks in March. We are so excited. Chad has been calling people he knows over there, and we’ve been roughly planning what we’ll do while we’re there. There are many things I’m super excited about, including

• Seeing the African animals in their habitat. Lions, giraffes, leopards, rhinos, elephants, zebras—they’re all going to be amazing. Bring on the Khakis.
• Playing with a baby lion at a lion park. I’m going to hold a lion! (There’s a huge grin on my face right now.)
• Seeing the shop where Chad bought my diamond.
• Possibly seeing penguins near Cape Town (if we get down there). Penguins in Africa!

Of course, I’m also excited to learn about the country’s history and meet and spend time with the people there. People and customs really make a place real, and I’m so glad that we’re going to be able to be in some homes to visit.

We’ve also got a 10-hour layover/plane change in London, so we’ve got some time to do a couple of fun things. Since Chad’s never been to London (or at least never outside the airport), I’ve been naming off lots of things we could do in that time. So far, we’ve chosen to do the Tower of London for sure (it’s so cool!) and we were disappointed that we’ll be missing the Changing of the Guards by about half an hour. But it will be nice to get off the plane and have a day in London before completing the rest of our flight.

With Brandon in Brazil, Zanny in Britain/Ireland/France, and Mom’s possible Kenyan marathon, we’re a well-traveled family!