Our team of 8 made it to the ATL airport. We ended up with all of our 1st checked bags and 7 more 2nd checked bags to hold the medical equipment and supplies. We were able to offload some of the bags to the NPCC team so that we wouldn't be over the number of bags we could check in. 1st issue: The tables were oversized and the porter warned us that there would be a fee. Yep - each $200 table cost another $175 to check. 2nd issue: The compressor drew some concerned looks - was there any gas or oil in it?... no... so we thought we'd be good except they were worried about the tank and whether it had air in it holding pressure. We had to unpack it and show that it was empty of air - only, it wasn't empty of air. It was still holding about 150 psi and bleeding the air out of it created enough commotion that I didn't think they were really going to let us check it, but they did. The team scattered to grab something to eat as we waited at gate B9 for our plane.
Headed to Boston
I sat beside a Harvard law student returning to school. Ah - not much in common to talk about. I felt like I was a remedial student sitting in an AP class or something. Cool kid. About to finish and is not sure what he wants to do. All those years studying law at Harvard and not sure how/what he wants to do to use it. Some clam chowda sounded really good but I changed my mind at the last minute and got Lobster Brisque. It was great. Peggy ordered a crab pretzel and she quickly put it aside after trying it. I think that everyone that tried it, agreed, that as bad as the thought of it sounded - it tasted worse.
Headed to Amsterdam
Boarded and found out that there was going to be about 100 empty seats so everyone got to spread out. That's always nice.
Boarded and found out that there was going to be about 40 empty seats giving some people some extra room.
Great flights. Got to see the Alps out the window and what a great sight that was.
Sat beside Jim Petit and got to meet his wife and one of his daughter. They are on the NPCC trip to Ngaamba. He has another daughter, Jamie, at UGA that is very active with the Miracle network.
Landed in Nairobi. Found all the bags and headed through customs and even though we had massage tables, a compressor, 22 bags for 8 people, they wanted to know about the rolling office chairs and produced the "we are on a medical missions trip" letter from 410 and they let us pass.
The biggest surprise was the Kenyan 410 trip leader was Alfred. The same Alfred I met and got to know on a couple of trips last year. He is now with the 410 bridge. My heart was filled with even more joy to see him and know that he is doing well.
Situated for the night. Met some of the others from the Parker Hill team and ready to hit the ground running at 6am tomorrow morning.
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