Well I made it. It was difficult parting from Nunu in
Johannesburg. Not only because I’m so used to us always being together but also
because of having to deal with 200 pounds of checked luggage on my own.
When we arrived in Jo-burg we parted ways as he had to clear
customs and catch a taxi to the bus station and I went into the transfer
terminal. This way I could avoid having to collect all of our luggage and
hopefully save some money this way as well.
It was 6am local time, which is midnight in Detroit, on
Friday. I make my way down long winding hallways until I find a few desks. They
ask me for my itinerary, which I can’t find. Every time I’ve opened my backpack
today I’ve dropped a few papers. The man tells me I can’t pass through without
either my itinerary or boarding pass. I start to panic. I’m beyond tired. I
haven’t slept in a bed in 2 days. I’m freaking out… which leads to tears.
Logic is gone from my mind. In desperation I start searching
for papers in my pillow… why on earth would I have put a paper in my pillow, I
don’t know. But I have searched everywhere else. I find the jeans I was wearing
on Wednesday (the day my flight left) rolled up. I check the back pockets and I
find my itinerary!
So I move on the airline counter. There is almost no one in
this part of the airport, yet the counter I need to go to has a man at it. I
have about 3 hours till my flight so I’m not stressed about the line, I just
want to know what they are going to say about my 4 bags.
At this point I have not been able to check-in for my flight
to Pemba, as the other airlines I have flown say they aren’t partners. So I
imagine my bags just going round and round on the baggage claim.
I hear that the man in front of me has to go and convert USD
to Rand to pay extra for his bags. I explain my situation to the man and he
says “Ooooh this is a problem.” Not the words I wanted to hear. He explains
that I am allowed 2 bags and that I will have to pay for the other 2. I thought
he might tell me that I had to pay for all 4 bags, so I’m okay with this.
It’s just so funny and unorganized though. He calls down to
see if my bags are still in the baggage claim for my flight. They are. He then
tells me that he needs to know how much my bags weigh, so he isn’t sure that I
can check in. But he goes down to the Bitish Airlines desk and finds out. He
tells me I need to pay for 34 kilos, (75 pounds). I’m not sure where he got
this number because all of my bags weight 49 or 50 pounds.
He tells me I need to pay $240 for my bags, but when I do
the math I come up with $200. So I ask if I can go convert my USD in Rand. The
1700 Rand I need to pay comes up to $225 at the Currency Exchange. I hate not
knowing if I’m being taken advantage of, I hate feeling like a target. So even
thought $15 might not seam like much, I’m glad I saved it. Then it’s just so
funny, he asked if I want a receipt and the tags for my luggage. Uh… yes.
In the end, I made it to Mozambique with all of my and
Nunu’s luggage. When I arrived a the airport, Julie and Adriano and some of the
kids were there waiting for me.
It’s kinda surreal being here. I think because I was only
gone for 3 months, but maybe it also has something to do with being here
without Nunu.
The kids have all been really great. I feel like each time I
come they understand more that I’m not leaving any time soon.
The weather is amazing! This is the first time I’ve been
here in July. I think it is there winter, but it’s beautiful. It’s not as hot
or humid as it is in February and March. And it hasn’t rained yet.
Nunu will be in Maputo until Wednesday visiting family and then he will be taking the 40 hour bus ride up to Pemba. He should arrive here late Thursday night.
Prayer Request:
- Health for both Nunu and I - Jet lag, Malaria, and water born illnesses
- Travel for Nunu
- That we would be able to settle into our new home and get to work!
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