I've Arrived!

As I write this, I'm in that slightly dizzy state that comes with jetlag . . . but I'm thrilled to report we all made it safely, and ALL my bags are here! Which, if you know me, is no small miracle.

Try to imagine 25 people unloading at Newark airport. I don't think we ever did a total luggage count, but if everyone took only their allotted three bags/person, that would be 75 pieces. And we definitely rang up the extra baggage costs on this trip - I checked 5 extra bags for a total of 8 pieces. It took a moving truck just to get the bags there, as modeled by Frances, who will be teaching 2nd grade at RVA:

And unloading presented new challenges of getting all of the bags carted up to check-in. My stuff is in the left corner of this picture:


Fortunately these missionaries are of the kind variety and everyone chipped in to get everyone else into the BA line. Which was really long. I combined my stuff with another family and every time the line inched forward a foot or so, we'd start the routine of shuffling 7 carts up in line. At one point, a fire alarm went off, to add to the already chaotic mess. So, check-in took HOURS. I had plenty of time to scurry over to American Airlines lost baggage and claim a bag that had been left when I flew in on Wednesday. So it was with great joy that I finally checked 4 action packers, 2 suitcases, and 2 duffel bags all the way to Nairobi.

(Juli playing the cart-shuffle game with my stuff)

We flew Newark-London, said goodbye to part of the group who headed to Dar es Salaam to drop off their stuff before coming to ABO. We'll see them tonight. Our three hour layover went by quickly, I spent the rest of my Starbucks gift card, and we got on our last flight to Nairobi. At this point I was feeling pretty exhausted and kept falling asleep, so that I'd have to ring the flight attendants for all the meals I'd missed. And can I just say that airline seats are getting closer together? They are! I am a small person and I had about 6 inches between my head and the seat in front of me. Which might explain why, when it was time to disembark, I ended up wearing one flip-flop of the guy in front of me. He turned around and said, "This is an interesting situation. I think you're wearing one of my shoes." Sure enough, on my right foot was a brown flip-flop about six sizes too big. It was just so CRAMMED I couldn't see!

A million hours later, we had claimed all our luggage, dragged it outside the airport, loaded it up, driven to Mayfield guest house, unloaded it, carried all down and around to sit outside our rooms, showered, and crashed. I slept about 10 hours and now I'm struggling to stay awake to make it to lunch. *yawn. Thanks for your prayers. I'm so thrilled to have all my bags!