The trip home was very smooth and relaxing, even enjoyable. With my Ipod charged, I contentedly listened to the playlist Ellie had created for me a few weeks ago, with all my favorite praise and worship songs. No problems with customs, or Heathrow, or baggage, or flights... I even got to sleep lying across two seats on the flight leg across the Atlantic...
You might say I was just starting my journey home at midnight Saturday, Austin time. That's because the Koepke family was assigned to be my ride to the airport, and they were leaving for church in Nairobi at 8 am Sunday (which translates to midnight Saturday in Austin). They took me to the Menonite Hymn Sing, with all the other missionaries in town it seemed, and to tea and biscuits on the great lawn afterwards. From there we went running errands, which meant I could do some last-minute shopping at the Sarit Center mall, where we ate Mexican at the food court.
At 1:30 pm, they dropped me and my luggage off at the airport, where I hung out until 11:30 pm, when our British Airways flight commenced. Long day, long night. But I realized as I surveyed the scenery in the airport and the Java House there, that I felt totally comfortable in Africa, and very at home with the Kenyan people. They truly are warm and friendly, even to us Wazungus.
All three flights went perfectly, including the transitions. The journey was thus quite adventuresome, relaxing, and smooth. On the BA flight, I slept a bit during the 9 hours to London, but I really wanted to watch the two new releases about Africa---Blood Diamond and Last King of Scotland. I chose Blood Diamond, and winced at all the brutal slaughtering of innocents in the villages caught in the war in Sierra Leone, 1999. But I was also captivated with the beautiful scenery, and the story of this African family, torn apart by civil war triggered by illicit diamond mining. I realized, in watching it, that Africa is truly a part of me now, first hand, pervading my heart and my psyche. I've always been drawn to, and fascinated by, anything African. Just ask my girls if I've been collecting African artifacts and stuffed animals as long as they've known me. There was so much suspense in anticipation of my trip, but now I can say without hesitation that Africa surpassed all of my expectations. I just love it. And I have to see those kids again...
Jeanne gleefully picked me up at the airport today, Monday, at about 3:45 pm Austin time. That means I had just completed 50 hours of travel, hanging in airports or flying in planes. No wonder I'm tired! At least I had an empty flight across the Atlantic and was able to lie down across two empty seats. I must have slept for about 3 hours, twice, with just a little break in between. I just can't complain about my travel a bit. And to see Jeanne drive up with a dozen yellow roses was icing on the cake! When we got to my apartment, I found beautiful yellow tulips in a vase from Nicki. She and Scott came by to bring my car back, after Scott got the battery replaced for me today. It was so great to see all 3 of these dear ones again!
Home sweet home! Now I feel like I have two homes--here, and Africa. We'll see when God takes me back...
I hope you all enjoyed my trip. I suspect I will take some time to decompose, er uh, I mean decompress. I will probably continue writing entries here because I think it will help me to process what I just experienced over the last few months. I'm a reflective thinker, so bear with me. I'll be analyzing this experience for weeks and months to come. Right now, though, I am going to C-R-A-S-H! Tomorrow I get to surprise my folks at my nephew Paul's 16th birthday dinner. Oh Boy! I hope they don't have heart attacks at the surprise!
You might say I was just starting my journey home at midnight Saturday, Austin time. That's because the Koepke family was assigned to be my ride to the airport, and they were leaving for church in Nairobi at 8 am Sunday (which translates to midnight Saturday in Austin). They took me to the Menonite Hymn Sing, with all the other missionaries in town it seemed, and to tea and biscuits on the great lawn afterwards. From there we went running errands, which meant I could do some last-minute shopping at the Sarit Center mall, where we ate Mexican at the food court.
At 1:30 pm, they dropped me and my luggage off at the airport, where I hung out until 11:30 pm, when our British Airways flight commenced. Long day, long night. But I realized as I surveyed the scenery in the airport and the Java House there, that I felt totally comfortable in Africa, and very at home with the Kenyan people. They truly are warm and friendly, even to us Wazungus.
All three flights went perfectly, including the transitions. The journey was thus quite adventuresome, relaxing, and smooth. On the BA flight, I slept a bit during the 9 hours to London, but I really wanted to watch the two new releases about Africa---Blood Diamond and Last King of Scotland. I chose Blood Diamond, and winced at all the brutal slaughtering of innocents in the villages caught in the war in Sierra Leone, 1999. But I was also captivated with the beautiful scenery, and the story of this African family, torn apart by civil war triggered by illicit diamond mining. I realized, in watching it, that Africa is truly a part of me now, first hand, pervading my heart and my psyche. I've always been drawn to, and fascinated by, anything African. Just ask my girls if I've been collecting African artifacts and stuffed animals as long as they've known me. There was so much suspense in anticipation of my trip, but now I can say without hesitation that Africa surpassed all of my expectations. I just love it. And I have to see those kids again...
Jeanne gleefully picked me up at the airport today, Monday, at about 3:45 pm Austin time. That means I had just completed 50 hours of travel, hanging in airports or flying in planes. No wonder I'm tired! At least I had an empty flight across the Atlantic and was able to lie down across two empty seats. I must have slept for about 3 hours, twice, with just a little break in between. I just can't complain about my travel a bit. And to see Jeanne drive up with a dozen yellow roses was icing on the cake! When we got to my apartment, I found beautiful yellow tulips in a vase from Nicki. She and Scott came by to bring my car back, after Scott got the battery replaced for me today. It was so great to see all 3 of these dear ones again!
Home sweet home! Now I feel like I have two homes--here, and Africa. We'll see when God takes me back...
I hope you all enjoyed my trip. I suspect I will take some time to decompose, er uh, I mean decompress. I will probably continue writing entries here because I think it will help me to process what I just experienced over the last few months. I'm a reflective thinker, so bear with me. I'll be analyzing this experience for weeks and months to come. Right now, though, I am going to C-R-A-S-H! Tomorrow I get to surprise my folks at my nephew Paul's 16th birthday dinner. Oh Boy! I hope they don't have heart attacks at the surprise!
2 comments:
Yep, I confirm it, you've been collecting African stuff as long as I can remember.
Yep, that's Sara, my firstborn, telling the truth--and she'll be 26 years old in a couple weeks! Thanks Sara, I needed that. mimi
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