The rest of the story.

I wish I could tell you that our next day's adventures following our dramatic trip from Kentucky to Johannesburg were uneventful, but then, I would be lying. However, it was fairly tame in comparison.

Being awake since 2:00AM, I was more than ready to start the day. We got out of bed around 6:00AM and took showers, then left for the airport around 7:00 with our ACSL traveling back to Madagascar with us. It was a blessing to have him along!

Our flight wasn't scheduled to leave until 10:15, but Praise the Lord, we arrived 3 hours early because first, we were told that our seats had been cancelled, so Chandler showed the itinerary and eventually they found their mistake. THEN, we were told that we were only allowed one bag per person at 50lbs each. We had packed and prepared as if we were given TWO bags per person at 50lbs each, so we only expected to pay for three extra bags. Turns out, we had to pay for SIX extra bags. That was a fun $800 to hand over.

I'll just say it, "Thanks, UNITED for screwing EVERYthing up from the get-go!"

All of this ate about two hours of our time; yes, two hours, giving us a very small window for breakfast and to make it to our gate in time.

By the time we boarded the plane, we had already reached our stress limit for the day. Fortunately, after they served lunch and drinks, Waverly and I were able to sleep (like rocks, mind you), the remainder of the flight. When we had to wake Waverly up, she threw a bit of a fit and as I reached over to hold her and soothe her, she fell back asleep almost immediately. I told Chandler that if our final destination required one more flight, I would refuse because I didn't think Waverly could handle anymore and neither could we.

But we got here and we got all of our luggage and were never hassled in customs or security (my two biggest fears of flying) and we've settled in quite nicely!

Being in Africa doesn't quite feel like "home", yet, but we're definitely not uncomfortable here. It's not scary, but maybe a little overwhelming. We are stared at everywhere we go and that's not so fun, but apparently, that's life now. Fortunately, we have co-workers here who have helped us navigate and communicate.

If I were to explain Tana to you, you either wouldn't believe me or just wouldn't get it. The city is a large juxtaposition. For example, our hotel is fairly nice: A/C units in most rooms, hot, running water, electricity, Wi-fi, but right outside our window, literally, is a shanty-town. Driving down the street in the middle of town are little shops, big buildings, and huts side-by-side. And I say "huts", like the ramshackle huts you might expect to see in the bush. Crazy. Unlike most of Africa, you drive on the right side of the road and the steering wheel is one the left side of the car, just like in America. LIKE most of Africa, people are crazy drivers and there are not stoplights, so you have to be super-defensive.

By nature, Chandler and I are city people, but being in this city makes us ready to get to our little town where life is a little slower and less overwhelming.

In two days, we head to Antsirabe!!