I promise my writing will become more interesting and insightful, but you may note that I have already been awake 26 hours with only a 2 hour nap in-between the days!
12:30am
Finished packing and went to bed.
2:30 am
I pulled myself out of bed wishing that planes had curb side pick up!
3:30 am
I arrived at the Newark, NJ airport and realized that I had 5 suitcases and a backpack, but only 2 hands. I only had to get inside and about 30 feet to the check-in, but it was a production! To paint a visual I had the suitcases around me in a fashion similar to that of Dorothy and the Munchkins and every time the line inched forward, I began a process of toppling over myself to try to move everything. As these charades were taking place I turned around to grab another bag only to find that the father of the family behind me was helping me move everything! On top of that his little daughter, probably about 8, was helping with the smallest of suitcases! I already had a good feeling about today and so far it has proven to be a great day.
7:30 am
I arrived at Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC very tired and wishing I could just stay on the plane to it's final destination!
7:45 am
I found a very long line for Ethiopian Air that I unfortunately had to stand in to get my boarding ticket for my flights to come.
8:30 am
I finally got to a service representative and he was helping me with the normal things such as printing tickets, changing seats, etc. He was chipper for 8:30 am so I was telling him about the 4 additional bags I had checked earlier that day and that they had supplies for my African orphans in them. He smiled as I think he thought I had packed 4 suitcases of clothes!
As we were finishing up I mentioned that their signs said only one carry on bag and he said he would check my items. Well, he may have let my 2 bags slide except there's a 15 lbs. limit and my rolling suitcase was 36 lbs. Whoops! He turned to me and informed me that he could check it, but that there would be a $60 fee attached to it.
Immediately my heart dropped to my stomach as $60 isn't just 10 starbucks coffees I can't have, but 60 pairs of underwear we can't get the kids, or 4 pairs of glasses not purchased, or 6 kids that don't have health insurance, etc. Right when he saw my concern he grabbed my arm and whispered that he could waive the fee just this one time. I was so grateful I almost started to cry and offered a hug to him, but he said he was ok.
It just goes to show that people do care and even when it requires them to think outside of the box to help, some are willing to do the extra work. THANK YOU ETHIOPIAN AIR!!!
So at 9:00 am I write to you saying that I have a special feeling that today is going to be great and tomorrow even better! I am so blessed to get to go to Rwanda again and I have a feeling that just like so many before me, the hills and dirt of Africa will slowly become a part of my existence fueling my addiction for adventure, helping, and everything in between!
Next time I write I will be in Africa if all goes well!
With Care,
Chelsea
