Usually, whenever we hear the term “long-day” we think of it in a figurative way; after all, days have a fixed length. However, for once, I was entitled to use the term literally.
After two years in Asia, it was time to leave for South America. Hong Kong offered few opportunities for reaching South America through the Pacific Ocean and none of them was convenient. After a few days on talks with the Time Travel agency, I settled for a flight to Sao Paulo through Johannesburg. It sounded awkward at first, but the more I thought about it the more I liked it. I had never been in South Africa – taking a quick look certainly would improve any future decision to visit the place - and the South African airlines had a good name.
Following a last visit to Pacific Coffee – my favorite in Hong Kong – I boarded the plane and after a short delay we left ground a few minutes after midnight. Traveling in such a direction the night seemed endless and the Indian Ocean was just a dark emptiness below us. After having been in the plane for about half a day, we saw a massive, dark, compact block of buildings separated from colorful fields by flat, geometrical suburbs and landed on Johannesburg by midmorning, local time – we had gained a few hours. From the air, the city looked attractive, despite (or due?) its reputation. While approaching the runway a sad reality became evident: the airport was too far away from the town to allow a short visit while waiting for the next flight.
Nonetheless, a well equipped airport can be a pleasant place for a few hours. Johannesburg’s one provided the necessary entertainment – maybe it was the novelty of being in Africa that made the time fly away. The strangest sight was a bookstore packed from floor to ceiling with almost a single (and excellent) book: the Dark Safari by Paul Theroux; however, I had bought it already before the flight. Spices and tribal handicrafts were the main souvenirs for sale.
The second flight was in full daylight and allowed a clear view of the southwestern African desert. This plane was newer and had better entertainment options; a welcomed blessing since the Atlantic Ocean offered few sights. Next to me, a nosy Mozambican kept asking questions, but luckily, the excellent South African wine served with the meal kept my attention elsewhere.
All of the sudden, a brownish coastline appeared and Brazil was announced through the speakers. Nothing prepared me for what was to follow. One thing was knowing that Sao Paulo was the biggest city in South America, but a different thing was seeing that from the air. Hill after hill of low houses, the city occupied every patch of visible ground. A city aiming for - and reaching - the horizon.
After landing and gaining a few more hours, I was a full eleven hours behind the Hong Kong clock. By midnight - still awake and enjoying the jetlag - I have had a 35-hours-long day.