You are welcome to Amerika!

So early today - or yesterday depending on where in the world you are - my young cousin boarded a metal tube with wings. In his suitcase was a stack of clothes, and I imagine some biltong and photos of family. And off he went. Destination? America. Reason? To attend college, of course!

I told his Mom to tell him to give me a call the minute, no scrap that, the MOMENT he landed. Come on people, it's a long flight, what all of 15 hours of crap airline movies and even crapper airline food. And it's not like the seats are designed with comfort in mind.

Design Engineer1: These seats look very uncomfortable. How about if we make them a little more cushiony?

Design Engineer2: What? Are you mad? Flatten them even more. The more flatten they are, the closer we can put them together.

Design Engineer1: But what good would that be for the international, trans-continental traveler?

Design Engineer2: No-one cares. We need to put more rows of seats. That means less cushiony. Got it?

And I am worried about my young cousin. All bleary eyed, staggering through customs & immigration, and they are not the friendliest of people. They sit around, drink coffee, send text messages, share an inside joke and then BAM! The sullen face stares at you.

"Purpose of your visit?"

"Um, I'm going to be attending college here."

*silence*

THUD as the stamp hits the passport.

GRUNT as the uber-friendly immigration officer ushers him forward.

Poor kid. Hope he calls soon.