I was very cosy in my pink fluffy gown – Madiba was still critical but stable and US president Barack Obama had safely landed with not too much pomp and ceremony at Waterkloof Air Force base in Pretoria.
My cat Boris and I were getting ready for an early night when suddenly the windows began to rattle and shake, and it felt like the worlds combined fleet of helicopters were hovering above our house. I dragged myself out of bed and away from my book. I looked outside and I couldn't see anything, but the noise was growing louder and louder. So I rushed upstairs and pulled the curtain back and lo and behold the Obama family had just landed in the Marine 1 helicopter in the field at the school about 50 meters from my window.
The light from the drawn back curtain had obviously caught the eye of security because before I knew it about five secret service men in black type agents were staring straight at me from the grassy bank across from my window. I didn't move, imagining a red laser being directed straight at me. Boris meowed, wanting to get in on the action, I whispered "don't move". About 10 or so black SUVs speedily pulled up and everyone jumped into action, suitcases and bags were thrown into the back of the SUVs, and CIA agents were everywhere. The sound of about three military helicopters were still punching the usual night time quiet.
And then I caught a glimpse of Michelle Obama and her two daughters: Sasha and Malia, being rushed into one of the bullet-proof glass SUVs. I didn't see the leader of the "free world" but he was there, in the midst of this orchestrated, gigantium security operation.
Ten minutes and the SUVs sped off, the first family were securely in place to be taken wherever they were staying in Johannesburg. That was it. The leaves on the tree settled, the secret service guys dispersed and the windows stopped rattling. Welcome to Johannesburg, Mr President.
I turned the lights off, drew the curtains and Boris and I skedaddled back to bed.