We made it....

After the longest two days of traveling ever, we finally made it!

There were some bumps along the road. Starting with a minor hiccup in Memphis while checking our bags. Dean Weave (DW) got it all straightened out for us and after going through security we were on our way. From Memphis we traveled a short jog to Atlanta, where Kaylee, Lacey, Catherine, Sarah, Rachel and I just had to have one more stop at On The Border before we left. After eating quite possibly every chip in sight and inhaling a gallon of salsa, we received a frantic text from DW telling us to "Run to gate 31E! Run!". So with 30 pound bags in tow, we took off Amazing Race style through 4 terminals and barely made it on our flight. Oops!

After we found our seats (sort of), they realized there were two seats sold for 22A. The pulled a standby and all was well. We arrived an hour late to Dulles, DC and found the DW bag had been eaten. Not by a Lion but a baggage machine. Literally melted her bag, but she handled herself with grace under fire! We are proud!!!!! Then we took four cabs, 12 people, and 24+ bags to the Comfort Inn for a little nap before we started again.

Monday morning we woke early and ate breakfast at the hotel before heading out. Our flight was again delayed an hour due to some unknown issues. We meet a group from Troy University going to Malawi for a trip. Once on board, we all spread out around the plane to try to get some sleep. Traveling in the daylight does not make it easy. Most were able to rest or in Kaylee and Lacey's case, coma! I however, did not sleep for more than an hour, Ugh. After a LONG trip across the atlantic we landed in Rome for a short stop. Then we were off to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We arrived there minutes before our next flight was scheduled to leave but lucky they waited for us. Another four hours of travel on a stuffy, hot and quit full plane and we landed in Zambia.

Gathering our bags we noticed that we were missing seven out of 24. Luckily not mine. We loaded the bags we did have in Mission buses and headed to the Protea Hotel in Lusaka, Zambia. It is very nice with Hard wood floors, big beds, and a waterfall shower!!!! After we had dinner, everyone went back to their rooms to shower and Skype. I loaned Lace some PJ's for the evening. Her bags didn't make it!

Off to bed, I promise the next one won't be as long!

Jaime