What are the chances that I run into my old roommate Punit at Gate A23 in Jo-burg Airport, South Africa? Relatively high considering we planned to do so. His flight from JFK is a bit delayed making the meet-up slightly more stressful as he appears just ten minutes before the gate closes.
The next couple days I will stay with Punit and his family in Harare, Zimbabwe (“Zim” for short). As soon as we land in Harare, it is obvious that we are no longer in South Africa. The runways are shorter, the planes fewer, and the tourists not as plentiful. We purchase visas, run into a little excitement with our bags, and are greeted by Punit’s family.
After a drive through Harare’s potholed and people-filled streets, we arrive home, an area of quiet and comfort. Punit’s grandparents greet me, and then soon after putting our bags down, we are offered food. Food becomes a theme to my stay in Zimbabwe as it is abundant, different from what I’m used to, and delicious.
Within the first hour of landing in Zimbabwe, I am confident that my short stay in this land-locked country will be unforgettable.
Hey Andrew,
Say hi to Punit for Karen and me. Can’t wait to hear more about your experience in Zim.
–Elliot