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Dr. Claudia R. Wintoch is
part of the apostolic network Harvest International Ministries (HIM - founder Che Ahn)

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Monday, November 17, 2008

The Challenge To Get Home

I got up just in time to be able to go have breakfast before it was over at 10 am. It was okay (I guess the last hotel in South Africa had spoiled me :-)). Back in my room, I took advantage of the time and internet connection to write an overdue email update (see here). I got done just in time for check out at noon.

I took the shuttle back to the airport and to my terminal. I still had plenty of time. When I came to security, I remembered from last time that the Paris airport is now the most "extreme" in terms of security. You have take EVERYthing electronic out of your bags, including cables - that's camera, MP3 player, phone, charger, adapter, power cable, Nintendo, USB cable, etc. Crazy! I had taken it all out, and went through.

They stopped at my backpack and asked me what was in there. They looked inside and found the cheese I had bought in Austria to take with me to Mali. I had hoped to put it in a fridge in Paris overnight, and that's why it was in my carryon - 5 different cheeses (since there is no cheese in Mali). They started telling me I could not keep the cheese, because "no liquids or gels" are allowed, and cheese is soft and not solid. What? Are you kidding me?

I started arguing with them, and they asked the boss to come over. He told me no way could I take the soft cheese. There was nothing to be done, and with much sadness I left all the good cheese with them. I told them "bon appetit", but they answered they have to throw it away. What a waste! They're even discussing removing the "no liquid or gel" rule next year - I was a few months too early, and too naive to realize cheese was in that category.

I went to the frequent flyer lounge where I had plenty of time until the boarding of my flight at 3:50 pm. I finally came to my gate, expecting to board any time. I was so glad that my flight was not canceled this time! I already knew that the flight to Mali on Tue was full, and probably Wed by then too. They finally started pre-boarding old people, and then they made the announcement that it would be another 15 minutes before boarding because of technical problems.

Half an hour later they told us they needed to swap planes, and told us to go from gate 76 to gate 71. So everyone marched over there and sat down. Another 15 minutes later they told us to go to gate 73 to board. What a fun game!

At gate 73 we were told it would be another hour and 15 minutes before boarding would start. Our plane would therefore be 2 hours late.

I returned to the frequent flyer lounge for that time - thank God for that amenity! When I returned to the gate, we really did board, and were on our way to Mali with a 2 hour delay.

At 11 pm (midnight in France) we landed in Bamako. I went through immigration, and waited for my 3 suitcases. The porter put them on the machine where they go through to be x-rayed. I had been praying that I would not get any problems with customs. And then, they pulled one of my suitcases to the side. Great!

I had to go to the customs officer who asked me what was inside. When I said "Christmas decorations", he was satisfied. He gave me a piece of paper, and sent me off. I guess he was not in a mood to look inside my suitcase! Praise God!

On my way out I met my old employer - the school director of where I taught my first two years in Mali. I only had a minute to talk to him. Jean and Paul were waiting for me, and we made our way home.

Normally transition is hard, and I come back with mixed feelings, but this time I felt so much joy to be back! Of course I've been thinking of the weeks until Christmas, the advent calender, the wonderful times of Christmas season I'd have with the children, and I was looking forward to that. Back home, though it was late, I immediately started unpacking. To my great surprise, my cat Sweety was not angry with me like most times, and let me touch her. She actually slept on my bed all night.

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