Our journey to Africa began with packing, as most journeys do.
We packed all sorts of things from shampoo to cinnamon rolls to cameras to T-shirts.
We packed things such as little sweaters like this one, which were hand-knitted by a relative.
Each one had an wearer-to-be at an infant home in Blantyre.
Even Mei Mei was packed...packed for the vet, that is.
Poor cat.
We packed so many things, in fact, that we filled all of these suitcases and duffels and bags and backpacks.
Then we packed our van with all the suitcases and and duffels and bags and backpacks
AND
we were off for the Seattle Airport!
It rained on the way, surprise surprise!
When we finally got to the right place in the right city, we parked our car and hitched a ride to the airport. Jim was our bus driver who...
...took this picture of us.
You say, "But you three already look tired."
I say, "Just wait."
After Mr. Jim dropped us off at the airport, we checked our suitcases.
The checker lady...
...took this picture of us.
You say, "But you three are all out of focus."
I say, "That's why it's on my blog!" ;)
To security...
...and through security.
And finally on our first flight!
This plane would take us from Seattle to Charlotte (North Carolina).
A dear one.
Another dear one.
No-Jet-Lag pills!
They have Arnica Montana, Bellis Perennis, Chamomilla, Ipecacuanha, Lycopodium, and a lot of placebo effect. Dad says "Good things come to those who believe." But I'm not so sure...
Pretty colors out the window...
This picture represents the time from Seattle to Charlotte to Washington DC.
Whether or not it is from that time I don't know and don't care.
Alright now for the good stuff! At Washington DC, we boarded an Ethiopian Airlines plane.
Oh how big and luxurious it was, even for coach class!
Just in case you can't see from this picture, there were 11 seats across and 2 aisles.
[jaw drops]
On the left you see the packets given to each passenger; they included socks, a sleeping mask, a toothbrush, and toothpaste.
On the right, you see the screen that was in front of each passenger; they had movies and music and games to choose from.
I watched "Horton Hears a Who" and was reminded why it was never my favorite. ;)
Ah here we are, beginning our 12 hour flight!
(12 hrs on the way to Africa; 14 hrs on the way back)
And there is the beginning of the Atlantic Ocean...
Glowing screens after dark...
And some Phase Ten, too. It and Speed ended up being the games of our journey.
Beautiful sunset out the window. I took this while waiting in line for the lavatory...
Next morning there is cotton candy out our window!
This picture makes me laugh.
Halfway there or so!
The map of our transatlantic flight...
And the stats.
Since DC, we've traveled 12 hours and 23 minutes, and 7095 miles.
I passed the time by learning how to cross-stitch.
For your information, I haven't picked it up once since we got back home.
I. Am. Sick. Of. Cross-stitching.
(but I have also decided that I am going to finish it, even if it kills me)
Our first view of the continent of Africa!! We are descending...
Oh, the joys of customs.
Chilling in Ethiopia. Contrary to what this picture suggests, we weren't actually contemplating the meaning of our luggage...or maybe we were. We were really tired, so you never know.
Because our next flight was scheduled for the next day,
the airport kindly put us up in the Riviera hotel.
So that bus...
...took us to this place. Here is the inside...
...and the outside.
Here are two tired travelers.
Supper was exciting, especially because certain members of our party were literally falling asleep at the table.
And jetlag begins...
Next morning, we are back in the smoky airport!
Mom's excited because we have only one more flight (on shown plane) to go, and then a bus ride.
The ground is getting greener out the window...
And ladies and gents, we have landed in the Warm Heart of Africa.
After locating all of our luggage,
we caught a taxi ride from a driver who, later to find out, way overcharged us...
I guess to them,
Muzungos ("white as a ghost") = $$$$$$$$$$$$
Lots of African scenes (imagine that!) passed us as we zipped down the road.
We got off the taxi here...and got on the bus here.
On the bus we were...
1. really tired
2. really excited (only a bit more to go till Blantyre!)
3. entertained by all the going-ons out the window as you shall see in the following pictures...
The cuties that waved to us from outside the bus. When I raised my camera to take a picture of them, they started being shy and rolled around on the ground... :D
*gasp* Can you believe it?!
Another beautiful sunset...
but many miles to ride before we reach Blantyre,
and many miles to ride before we reach Blantyre...
Meanwhile, these questionable characters were hanging around the same gas station our bus would arrive at.
Well, they kidnapped us, and, since we were overcome with fatigue, we let them.
---TO BE CONTINUED---
