Process of De-Briefing

Tuesday, April 12, 5:45 A.M. my mind has been up at least an hour.  The physical part of adjusting never seems to be the same from trip to trip.  Actually I feel pretty good, so far. That statement could change many times throughout this day.  Sometimes I just feel like crying for no known reason. The trip was at least 3 hours longer than was necessary.


Thomas, Houwa (his wife) and Albert picked me up at 2 PM for the airport.  Getting in the normally confused line with 2 suitcases (carry on was packed inside one big suitcase, thankfully) was challenging, but nothing compared to the WAIT in that line.  A power surge shut down the computers and ticket agents processed hundreds of passengers by hand one at a time.  Yes, our 5:45 P.M. flight didn't take off to Akra, Ghana until 7:30.  Besides the heat during the wait, there were silver linings all around called INTERESTING PEOPLE with which to talk.  As long as stories keep pouring out of me, I think I'll keep writing.  So be aware that I have not yet put this blog to rest. (Colvin is from Long Beach, Ca.  He's the age of my children, but such a world traveler, having had pages added to his passport twice in the past 5 years.  Just to see "the smallness of this world"  Colvin's mother grew up in Crystal Springs, Ms and went to Belhaven College!) He's an example of one interesting person I met.
In Ghana, we had the usual  customs and  routine procedure of cleaning and securing the plane.  The security check in Liberia had been one of the most thorough I'd ever gone through.  They cut no corners even though the passengers had done nothing but stand and wait for HOURS and HOURS.
In Ghana, the "crisis of the moment" was not having enough pounds of fuel (155,000) the pilot told us that was needed.  At one point during THAT WAIT, he told us we might have to find a place in the city to go for the night.  Thankfully, that didn't happen, and other than arriving at least 3 hours late into Atlanta, all else was uneventful.  My seatmate had been another guest at the same guesthouse I'd stayed in the last 2 days in Monrovia.  Visiting with like-minded people you meet is always enlightening, challenging and just plain fun.


Barry's up.  We're reading our Bible TOGETHER this morning.   I can't take in YET all the contrasts that have been experienced so quickly. I'm a bit overwhelmed this morning.  But this too will pass, as my Mama used to say. So  stay turned for more de-briefing!