As mentioned in my previous post, I had a long layover in Frankfort on my way to Zimbabwe and The Antelope Park. Instead of staying in a hotel, I booked a room in a hostel for the night. I can afford a hotel but thought it might be interesting to stay in a hostel. They say it is a good way to meet fellow travelers and socialize a bit.

Frankfurt has turned out to be relatively uneventful. Other than a break from the plane, a trip to the museum, I would not say that it was worth the extra cost associated with the layover. I might be able to appreciate the hostel better if it weren’t for the loud techno-base-thumping-house-music blaring from the speakers in the public room, forcing me and possibly others to spend time elsewhere. Or maybe just me, as I’m not into techno-euro-punk that is so loud I can’t understand the person next to me.

I write this while sitting in the shared public space of the hostel. The public room is laid out with worn down tables that the meals are served, a small section of furniture including a sofa, some chairs, and a small coffee table, and a small balcony that is always full shoulder to shoulder with smokers. It is interesting to look around and see people from all countries mixing and socializing with one another. And if the music wasn’t so loud, I might try socializing as well. Instead, I think it is off to my private room I paid extra for, my little TV, and the hopes of finding a show in English to watch until the Ambien kicks in and I fall to sleep.

The Next Day

Checking out of the hostel, I have to say, I’m a little disappointed in the experience. Didn’t have any interesting conversations with fellow travelers, and most importantly didn’t hook up with some hot, yet easy, European chick for the night in my private room with walls so thin I had to use earplugs and Ambien to fall asleep. However, it saved me money over the cost of a hotel. The place is located next to the bus station, and they provided breakfast and dinner both nights. And of course, it gave me a break from the 24 hours of flight time. Would I stay here again? Only if I’m traveling on a budget, which I’m not, making staying here unnecessary.

On a plus side, I had some time, sitting in the community room to do some re-writing of a few short stories I wrote a while back, and prepping them for some short story contest I might enter some day.

FYI – Continual laptop updates are annoying, as is the techno music in the only room that I can get a Wi-Fi connection.

Sky Lounge South Africa

Arriving at the airport in South Africa, I am exhausted, reek of sweat, and not sure if my luggage will be transferred to my flight from Johannesburg to Harare. The nice people at the sky lounge looked it up. According to what they have, my bag was or will be transferred to my flight. Having lost luggage in the past (on American Airlines) I hope it makes it, since I’m on British Air this time.

The people at the sky lounge at the airport in were pretty nice about letting me in. Not knowing if I should be, since I doubt I have enough miles to justify the fancy lounge space. Thanks to the lack of sleep from the techno music, the jet-lag from the travel, I’m so tired my head hurts, I’m counting down the hours until I arrive at my destination and can get some good sleep… I hope.

On the flight down, I realized that I’ve flown a lot this year and am getting pretty tired of it, so I think next year will be a no-fly year, at least that will be the plan. Next summer hopefully will be a motorcycle road trip and no flying.

On a side note about the lounge here: Supposedly it has a Wi-Fi network here in the lounge. My computer says has 4 bars in this lounge. Yet, I can’t seem to get the tablet I’m typing on to actually to connect to it.