This morning we picked up our 7 passenger Toyota Van. Before we left Tacoma, we borrowed our neighbors 7 passenger Toyota van to be sure that we would be able to fit all of our bags and ourselves in our rented van when we got to Johannesburg. Things fit wonderfully in their van, and there was plenty of space for us to fit comfortably.

When we got to our vehicle in Johannesburg we knew we were in trouble. This van looked more like a large station wagon with an extra row of seats. It was small. We had a 4 hour drive ahead of us with 8 large suitcases, 3 carry on suitcases, 4 backpacks and 2 guitars. How were we ever going to fit in all? I went back to the counter to see if we could trade up to a larger vehicle. No such luck. They were all out of larger cars. We were going to have to figure it out and we did.

We were like sardines packed in a can as we traveled down the highway. Niko drove. I was in the front passenger seat and Sam and Will were in the 2nd row of seats. Suitcases were packed to the ceiling both in the back and between Sam and Will. Sam, Will and I had suitcases under our feet and backpacks between our legs. Sleeping bags were unfolded and stuffed between the suitcases and the windows.

For most part, our sense of adventure took over. We were on a mission to get these 400+lbs of donations to the children of Lesotho. These suitcases were stuffed with school supplies, books, soccer balls, clothing, jackets, hats and shoes. What was 4 hours of discomfort in light of the needs of these children? Will suffered regular butt cramps, Sam figured out that he could flip the small suitcase on his lap to use it as a table, Niko navigated driving on the opposite side of the road and using only the side mirrors for visibility, while I took on the roll of Navi-guesser as we found our way out of Johannesburg and on to Lesotho.