Day One of our African Adventure began at 5:30 am, two short hours after a futile attempt to go to bed. I don’t think its possible to get a good nights sleep before a day of travel. It will be interesting to see what is actually IN my duffle bag when we arrive, as I don’t quite recall what I threw in during the wee hours of the morning when I no longer cared whether or not I had enough warm socks and a bar of soap.
Thankfully, South African Airlines provided us with a small gift bag of necessities for our cross-Atlantic trip. Apparently the only items we truly need during an 18-hour period is a toothbrush, an itty-bitty tube of toothpaste (which might cover eight teeth or so), eye shades and a pair of extremely long–and extremely 1970’s–brown tube socks. I wonder who sits around and comes up with this stuff? Couldn’t someone have raised their hand and suggested three more inches of leg room? Not that I don’t appreciate the dribble of toothpaste. I might just write a thank you note when my husband wakes up breathes my direction. 
The highlight of the day was my two-time trip through security. Yes, not only did I get to go through the long, hot, slow line one glorious time, I was honored to be invited to do it again–by my good friend who discovered (after we headed to our gate) that she had lost her duffle in the security shuffle. Good times. Good times.
All’s well that ends well, and, yes, the precious cargo was recovered–after another x-ray and frisking. Now, everywhere we go, some smart aleck in our team pipes up: “Hey, Laura, do you have your bag???”, which is always followed by snickers, laughter and some good-natured ribbing (she is supposed to be one of the responsible adults, after all).
I’m just relieved she has her bag back and I don’t have to share my dribble of toothpaste.
WE LOVE YOU LAURA AND OUR PRAYERS AND BLESSINGS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE GROUP AND MAY ALL YOUR WORKS COME TO GOOD. LOVE DAD AND HEIDI. (WHERE’S YOUR DUFFEL “DAD’S SMART REMARK”.)