DC to Munich to Johannesburg

Whoo! Well that was a very long journey. The best part was stopping in Munich and spending some quality time with a friend who scooped me from the airport and took me into the city. Munich is adorable. With cobblestone-narrow streets, beautiful flowers and so many bikes! I could do some serious shopping and beer drinking. Finally, I landed in Johannesburg early and slept so hard last evening. So, before I head out to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe I wanted to drop a line or two.

1. Our hotel is across the street from the mall, which also has a grocery store. Very convenient for late night shopping and affordable prices!

2. I had a yummy oatmeal breakfast with cafe and sat around with four guys (two are my former professors in undergrad and grad studies) who reminisced about their past collecting and field experiences here in South Africa. Their stories are so exciting! I can't wait to have my own stories to share and then return next year to continue the adventures. #scienceisawesome

3. Now we are talking shop. Prepping for our trip tomorrow -yippee! I love that I am a part of this journey.

Hilda hard at work.

Bus, metro, bus and ze plane! Ze Plane!

I can hardly believe it! It's today! Almost exactly a year ago Dr. Patrick Lewis sent me a message on Facebook (what would we do without it) asking if I would like to join his team on their next journey to South Africa. "Me?" I looked around -yes he was asking moi. So many questions (mostly fear of the cost) ran through my mind, but boy did I need this trip! And now after a year of planning, praying, working, planning, more praying and more working- but more importantly, with support from my family, friends and colleagues-I am here. I made it. We made it. So much more to write, this is only the first of many posts. Write more soon. My heart is definitely doing cartwheels in a field of wildflowers with butterflies. #alwaysyoungatheart