20 August-

I am usually somewhat lucky with travel, especially internationally. However, the start to this journey was far from the usual. 

So my journey to Rwanda was supposed to have started on Tuesday, Aug 11, with a 510 pm flight to NYC, then Amsterdam, then Kigali. There were only 1 hour layovers, so it would have been tight, but I had my Birkenstocks on, which would have made barefoot running through the connecting airports a breeze!

On the way to the airport, my Delta app dinged, stating the flight was cancelled. My Mom was driving my car to get used to it (I lent my 2011 Nissan Altima to my parents while I am away, Gulp.) Needless to say a few choice WTF and F-bombs were dropped by both of us. We continued to drive downtown to pick up my Dad from work as I called the Delta agent. She did not seem to understand that my final destination was Rwanda; she was too focused on the earlier parts of the trip. After some gentle coaxing by me, she then rebooked me on a flight for the next day, leaving at 250 pm to Atlanta, then to Amsterdam, then Mt Kilamanjaro, airport, then Kigali.

Well, I should have known more issues would have happened. After a rather productive, and relaxing lagniappe (Cajun for a little something extra) day with the parents, my Mom and I departed again for the airport. No texts this time stating the flight was cancelled, nor was there any bad weather anywhere on my journey. I get to the airport, say my tearful goodbye, and then head in to the check-in counter. Donna, the Delta ticket agent, seemed a little nervous; she seemed new? I arrived at 115 to speak with her. Needless to say we spent some quality time together over the next hour and 10 minutes! Apparently, my passport information on my ticket was incorrect, and her system stated I needed a visa to show her prior to issuing a ticket. I checked in online prior to arriving at the airport, and all of my information was correct online. I showed her emails, documenting to the contrary that I needed a Visa. After multiple phone calls to Delta people, the issue got fixed. I am still not sure what the problem was, but it was fixed. I think the Delta agent that re-booked my ticket made a mistake. So the  relaxing time at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport I had envisioned now became a mad dash to security. So, I have to ask Donna to get me through the TSA security line, VIP-style, and barely board my fight to ATL. Oh yeah, did I mention the $675 in baggage fees I had to pay? (3 of my own, and 2 of Laura’s; luckily this is reimbursable.) They would not give me a break on that. 

I connect to ATL fine, and board with no problem to Amsterdam. I get my seat, and relax for a bit, which then becomes longer than usual. Turns out there was a slight mechanical problem with the luggage bay doors, so that put us back by 20 minutes. I hear the engines start to purr, and think, OK, here we go. Then an announcement crackles over the intercom: "Any medical professional, please report to the back of the plane.” So, I get up, and walk back. There were a few people surrounding an elderly women, who looked out of it and pale. Turned out she had a seizure. I will spare you the remaining details. Needless to day, this delayed us even more. The most important thing was that she was OK. But she refused to get off the plane, stating she was fine, and did not want to be monitored, not be checked out my medical personnel off of the plane. She was heading on the trip of a lifetime to a certain destination in Africa, and was determined to make it. After some coaxing from the Delta staff, she begrudgingly deboarded the plane. Total delay in ATL: 2 hours. Needless to say, no one on that plane was going to be making their flights. 

I got in a few cat naps here and there, enjoyed the good KLM food, watched some quality movies, and made it to Amsterdam relatively intact. They had said Delta had already rebooked our flights. Well, that was not the case. I deboard the plane, and ask the lady in charge where to go to get my new ticket. I saw the long line, and my heart dropped a bit. In addition to the long line, I guess in Amsterdam, if you ask another agent at another booking location for assistance, they walk right up, and cut in front of others. So that took an additional hour. I was able to now get a flight from Amsterdam to Nairobi, Kenya, then a brief stop in Entebbe, Uganda, then Kigali, Rwanda. This would now get me in at 1145 pm.

The next leg from Amsterdam to Nairobi was fairly straight forward, except for the end. They had to re-approach due to being to close to another plane landing, then undershot the landing area, and had to be towed in to the correct location, and then had to reposition the stairs. 

Luckily, the rest of the trip from Nairobi to Uganda to Rwanda was a breeze. I arrive in Rwanda, exhausted, and expecting my luggage to not have made it. Luckily, all 5 pieces were there!

So, here is the comparison of the trips:

Should have been: 26 hours (including time change), 2 stops, leaving Tuesday, arriving at 710 on Wednesday.

Reality: 32 hours, 4 stops, leaving Wednesday, arriving at 1145 pm on Thursday!

The best part of the trip: seeing Laura at the airport, with my driver!

Oh air travel, how you vex me so.

More to come soon (internet signal depending) on life here in Rwanda, and my upcoming work.

Amohoro,

Craig