Well, faithful readers – I am sitting at the Lusaka Airport ready to depart soon for home via Nairobi and Amsterdam. It has been an incredible trip and I know another mark has been made on my heart.
The last full day was packing, visiting with my friends who are here for the next trip and having a wonderful dinner with the new team and some Zambian friends.
The people waiting for this flight are a real mix – African, Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern and a smattering of us white people. Saris, burkas, chitenge, business suits – very fun to watch and be a part of. The universal pushy businessmen are omnipresent, shoving through the security lines and getting to the front of any other line that is queuing.
We will be late out of here but I have a longish layover in Nairobi so no worries.
Nairobi – landed at 5:15 pm and depart at 10:20, supposedly, so I am hanging out a bit. It is rather grungy and crowded here, dim lights and all. Just finished a little chicken pie – dry but tasty. The West African man ahead of me in the food queue was accompanying 5 shrouded women and several children. Some speculation there!
After I landed, I had to go to the transfer desk to get a boarding pass for the next leg. It took over a half hour with just a few people ahead of me. I asked about an exit row seat and was told to return at 7 to check. After some coffee, I sauntered back and the queue was way down the hall! I can’t imagine how long those folks will wait. I will happily content myself with my aisle seat! God continues to spoil me – I am so grateful.
Amsterdam – finally, the last leg. The airport here is lovely, clean, and spacious. I am actually sitting in a recliner type seat where I can stretch my cramped up legs. Yeah for that!
Summary of the “day” in a format you will recognize.
Twelve duty free shops
Eleven pushy people
Ten wailing babies
Nine sighs of impatience
Eight security checks
Seven harried mothers
Six slowly moving queues
Five cups of coffee
Four inches my seatmate encroached
Three flights
Two movies
And one ride to the airport
Now I am sitting on the upper level having coffee, looking down at the main level. A group of statuesque beauties all dressed in airline blue just marched past on their way to a flight. Looked just like a scene from Catch Me If You Can!
Taking off soon so see you in Portland!
Welcome home my friend! So looking forward to seeing you soon! I’ll email you next week about getting together! Glad to have you home but I must admit I will miss reading about your adventures in Zambia!
blessings, michelle