Tanzania – Part 2, Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore!

I had a non-eventful flight up to New York, landed at Kennedy and caught a glimpse of the Manhattan skyline.  We landed at terminal 4 and we were leaving out of terminal 7.  Fortunately I just followed Harlan and Terry and didn't have to over think the process.  We met up with our group headed through security.  At this point I’m realizing that a carry-on with wheels is a genius idea that I did not happen to have before I left.  My carry-on is quite heavy.  (A point that will come back to bite me later as I board the plane)  After security our entire group congregated at the gate and we spent the time getting to know the people we would spend the next 12 days with. 

We were flying KLM to Amsterdam and apparently they have carry-on weight restrictions.  Most of the others in the group had their carry-ons weighed when they checked in.  Not me.  I was pulled out of the line to weigh my bag and purse.  I use the term “purse” loosely.  It was more like a small overnight bag packed with ipad, documents, wallet, snacks, a book, camera, and anything else I thought I might need on the flight.  Needless to say I quickly went over the 26 lb. limit and my carry-on had to be checked.  I was told I would see it in Kilimanjaro.  Not being convinced I made a mad scramble to grab anything necessary in case I ended up with no luggage.  I managed to pull a ziploc bag with some clean socks and underwear.  Hopefully my luggage makes it to Africa or things were going to get real interesting, real quick!

There’s nothing like the feeling of screaming down the runway on a Boeing 777.   Loved every minute of it.  We settled into our overnight flight across the Atlantic.  I was in the middle seat of the side section.  I quickly discovered two things.  Sleeping on a plane, at least in the economy section, is almost impossible, and if you have personal space issues the economy class is not for you.  I was sandwiched in between 2 wonderful people in my group and we became quick friends.  We had to out of necessity!  We landed as the sun was coming up in Amsterdam.  My body said it was still 1:00 AM.  Time to find some European coffee!

After stretching our legs for a couple hours we were on board for our longest flight.  Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro would take about 9 hours.  Sean our trip leader suggested that we try our best to stay awake so that we would adjust better to the time difference.  No problem….we’re still in economy, there will be no sleep for me. 

I managed to either be assigned or trade for a window seat on all of my daytime flights.  The aisle seat makes it easier to get up and move around, but again, taking into account I’m a traveling newbie, I loved being on the window.  During the course of the day I saw the Alps, the Pyrenees on the Italian coast, Sicily, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Sahara desert.  It really puts into perspective how beautiful our world, God’s creation, really is.

The Alps

Sahara Desert

The sun set and we landed in Kilimanjaro.  The song that KLM played on board after we landed… “Happy” by Pharrell Williams…and we were!  This was a smaller airport and we had stairs to get off the plane.  Stepping outside we were hit with a warm wind.  Palm trees were swaying and the excitement was evident!  We walked into an airport with no air conditioning, but full of ceiling fans that keeping the place cool.  The floors were wood.  The entire place screamed, “You are not in America anymore!”  Miraculously both of my bags appeared on the carousel.  We headed out to 2 buses.  Our luggage got strapped to the top.  I had visions of my suitcase flying off into the unknown, but credit to our drivers, they knew what they were doing.  We made the 45 minute drive to our hotel.  I remember even the air smelling different, like burning wood.  I’m sure due to the fact that this was how a lot of the cooking was done.  We unloaded at the hotel and sleepily made our way to our rooms. 

After a cold shower (hot water would be hit and miss) my roommate and I opened the window, turned on the fan, crawled into bed, lowered our mosquito netting and collapsed.  Sometime in the night a bird or something that we don’t have in Indiana made a noise outside.  I woke up a bit disoriented and had this very real thought, “Whoa!  You’re in Africa!”

Tanzania - Getting There!

I'm back from Tanzania and have experienced so much!  Too much for one blog post.  So, I'll just have to break it down day by day.  Enjoy! :)

After 9 months of planning and preparation my alarm went off at 3:00 AM and I was hit with the very real thought, “Good grief this is really going to happen!”  Dusty and I loaded up the luggage and we headed to Indianapolis International Airport.  Let me just say a 5:45 AM flight is EARLY!  I was to fly to Dulles Airport in Washington D.C. and after a 50 minute layover, fly to Kennedy airport in New York City.  There I would meet up with my group and fly to Amsterdam.  Three more hours on the ground then we would be bound for Kilimanjaro airport in Tanzania.  Some background info:  except for 3 days spent in Southern Ontario between Niagara Falls and Michigan, I had never been out of the United States.  And let’s face it…except for the maple leaf flying from the flagpole and the fact that the speed limit is in kilometers per hour, southern Ontario is not that different from Indiana.  Also up to this point I had only flown once, and then I was with a person who knew what they were doing and I just followed them around. 

The airport slowly crept to life and as they opened the gates to security, Dusty kissed me goodbye and I was off.  I got through security with no issues.  My checked bag weighed in at EXACTLY 50 lbs, and I settled in at the gate.  After boarding the plane we sat…and sat….and sat.  Seems that the crew that was to service the lavatories did not get their job done.  So we waited for that.  Then, we waited as they de-iced the plane.  At this point I’m realizing that I’m not going to make my connection.  I wasn't too concerned because I knew there was another flight to NYC at 12:30 PM that would get me there in plenty of time.  We taxied out and then stopped.  Seems a light came on and it needed to be checked out.  United, I’m not thrilled with you at this point.  We FINALLY got airborne with no chance of making the connection.  We landed in DC as my other flight was taking off.

Off to the United Customer Service counter.  (A job you could not pay me enough to do)  Fortunately I got a woman who was trying everything to help me out.  She cheerfully said that I was re-booked on a flight to NYC that would land at 5:30 PM.. No good.  I’m scheduled to fly to Amsterdam at 5:45 PM.  She then asked what airline I was on to Amsterdam.  I said, “No, I’m meeting a group at Kennedy.  I have to be in NYC by 3:00 PM.  What about the 12:30 PM flight?”  I was told that flight was overbooked and not an option.  She then said that the best case scenario was to fly from Reagan (remember, I’m at Dulles) to Newark and then I could take a cab to Kennedy.  At this point I start to get a bit nervous.  What will that cost and I’m not convinced there will be enough time.  As the words were coming out of her mouth she got a puzzled look on her face as she looked at her screen.  “Hmmm….you’ve just been assigned the last seat on the 12:30 PM flight.”  Well of course I have. J  Too many people praying for this trip not to!

As it would turn out, while I was waiting for this flight I saw a couple with a Compassion trip guide just like mine.  Harlan and Terry were part of my group to Tanzania.  We got to spend the time visiting and getting to know each other.  And instead of trying to navigate around Kennedy, I just followed Harlan.  Worked out all the way around. 

We landed in New York, met up with our group, and got ready to head across the Atlantic.

Welcome 2014!

Alternate title:  The night when we fill the house with people & food, play games, make a lot of noise, then trash the house with confetti!

New Year's Eve....it's one of my favorite days of the year.  It's also our anniversary which adds to why it's my favorite.  Christmas for me is about tradition, nostalgia, and family.  It's candlelight services, hot chocolate and lights, and wrapping up in a blanket and watching movies that I can almost quote in their entirety.  New Year's eve on the other hand is all about a loud raucous party.  This year we filled the house with 23 people. Ryan emerged victorious in our "Minute to Win It" tournament.  There was bingo, a wild dance party, magical entertainment, and a very dramatic Euchre loss by a very competitive guest who shall remain nameless.  At midnight we fired up the horns, the confetti went flying, and balloons fell from the skylights.

Last sunset of 2013

Plenty of food and Chick-fil-a nuggets for this wild crew

Dusty trying to master a Minute to Win it game

Yes, I will make my guests dip their noses in Vaseline and use it to move cotton balls around.

Our very own mini-bingo hall

Dance party!

Thanks to FaceTime we were able to celebrate with friends and family in Colorado & California

Our favorite magician in action!

This is what our midnight looks like

For the 2nd year in a row we were treated to Ryan's dance moves!

Shelby gets into his New Year's celebration

We hope you have a great 2014!

Our Christmas in Photos

Our fun Christmas adventures got cut short by a couple of days.  The stomach bug decided to make an appearance.  We packed it in and headed back to Indiana a few days early.  The bug took out 3 of the Hackney 4.  Luckily I was spared and was able to drive everyone home.  We're on the mend and spent today doing a whole lot of nothing.  So here's a photographic Christmas recap of the happier moments!

Dusty & his co-workers get one more year of daily Chuck-isms

And just for fun I would like to leave you with "Random Phrases heard at my Family's house with no context".  In fact I think this should become a regular occurrence on this blog.  I have plenty of source material

• If that watch face was any bigger it would be around Flava Flav's neck!
• Well I haven't smelled the napkins yet.
• Is it time for the feats of strength?

(Snowy) City Sidewalks

Headed down to Georgia Street this evening for City Sidewalks, which was billed as a holiday festival in downtown Indy.  I think the impending snow storm may have kept some vendors away, but we still had a lot of fun wandering around downtown tonight.  Besides, anytime you get to meet a camel named Moses it's got to be a good evening!

Then there were the other animals from the live nativity

And Herbie the Reindeer

We hung out with some animals of the costumed variety

Had a photo op with Santa

Popped into St. John Catholic Church.  Aaron's response, "Whoa!"

I think they may have been getting ready for Mass because a priest was moving some candles to the alter.  Part of me would have really liked to stay.  The building was beautiful and peaceful, but this Baptist may have been in over her head! :)

So we moved on to a yearly tradition....hot chocolate on the circle

Photobomb courtesy of a root-beer swilling Aaron!

And another tradition - the photo of the monument all lit up

I love my city!