I am not sure I want to use that phrase, “Last Leg,” but it seems appropriate given we are finally in Zimbabwe. This leg began in New York, at the Quality Inn. It was an older but quite serviceable place to spend the night and prep for the long trip across the ocean. The inn stay started with a long trip through the airport pushing a cart carrying 200 lbs. of luggage, wearing a backpack, Sherry wheeling our roller bags down what seemed endless halls, following signs to the “Airtrain.” There were several elevators, a sky bridge, and trying to determine how the train went, where to stand, and what it all meant. And to have a deadline as the shuttle stopped at 11:45 and luggage arrived at 9:45. Thankfully, that was before the scheduled time. We made it to the end, called the motel at 11:15, and Queens here we come.
The shuttle was a smaller SUV and our four huge bags, two carry-ons, two backpacks, and other assorted shopping bags, and two very weary travelers barely fit in the shuttle. Our driver took us on a typical New York City wild, but short ride. We arrived and with help from our driver, in fact, he did most the work, we were offloaded, checked in, and in our room. And all before midnight. That day ended with a quick run to Burger King, next door, and 7-Eleven, for something they didn’t have, a journey for the travel to that point. And sleep.
As our flight to Africa left at 1:15 P.M., we were unrushed thru the morning. A cheap motel continental breakfast and shuttle ride back to the airport what all I had planned. And the plan worked to a tee, except that there was another passenger for the shuttle and he had two large bags and a carry-on. With some creative packing and backpacks in our laps we made a calmer dash to the airport, with our new friend who had never been to the airport, never ridden the Airtrain and wanted to be dropped at the terminal which is not allowed, in tow. Another Airtrain ride, and long walk, elevators, new terminal, where is Kenya Airways wander through Departures and we were checked in and ready for security. I asked the counter person about checking our carry-on as extra bags. $250 each, no thank you anyway. We have TSA Precheck and sometimes I wonder if it is really worth it. We travel enough and since our airline is not a participating airline we were reminded that it is worth every penny we spent getting it. We went through a long, serpentine line, getting out computers, and Kindles, off shoes, belts, watched, empty pockets, got out the bag of 3.5 oz bottles of liquids, all the time being spoken to be agents who by this time of day were not interested in being there and ready to go home. Once repacked we made our way to our gate, why are Bruce and Sherry always at the end is one of the great mysteries of life.
We boarded our Kenya Airways, Boeing 787 Dreamliner and settled in for thirteen hours plus of mind numbing fun. I had the window and as I consumed several cups of coffee that morning, needed several, inconvenient trips to the bathroom and Sherry had a wonderful middle seat between her nearly constantly moving husband and a gentleman who had the aisle. He was not small, and wearing a suit jacket on the plane with little air movement. The flight was not the worst I have ever taken, and apart of losing my glasses 30 minutes in and not finding them until we were deplaning, and a whole hour’s sleep. We deplaned in Nairobi, thought about my sister, Sharon who will be there next week we think on a mission trip, found our new plane, delayed for an hour, and made two gate changes, and on our way, bumped to business class (ahh, heaven on earth) we landed just 45 minutes late in Harare.
Arrival in Harare wasn’t exactly smooth. Once off the plane, we were first, we were greeted by the health officials wanting to see our vaccination records, this was the third time on the trip. After her we went to Immigration. I went to a counter only to find out. It wasn’t right. I’m not sure who used it and was directed to a different desk. After a moment or two, or three, in that line the lady from the first desk said, “Go over there.” It was the Diploma line. Yes, I have been made diplomatic. That was fine, except her scanner didn’t work well, and she put Sherry’s visa in my passport, so that took a minute to repair. We were thru immigration.
Next came customs. I headed to the “Green Line” the one with nothing to declare. Since everything we had was for gifts, and friends, and personal it should have been simple. Except! I couldn’t find the ministry letter fast enough and Sherry didn’t know what I needed (she had one too) so in frustration we were sent to the “Red Line.” What do you have to declare? Nothing. What are in your four bags? Having found the letter, I showed several people. They didn’t care. I had to see a specific lady who was busy. After about an hour it was my turn. What do you have? At this point, knowing duty fees were mounting, I said, mostly stuff for teaching and personal. The big new thing is socks and underwear for orphans. How much? At this point I low-balled her, about $200 which is a threshold amount. One guy said I would have to open all the bags for inspection. THE lady however saw no need. Fill out this form. I did. Take it to the next window and pay for your duty fee. How much on $200? $80, and actually $81 exactly. Next window was a busy lady. Finally a stamped form, and we made our escape. Our ride was waiting for us. After an uneventful ride to the college, unload, thanks to students it was simple. Dinner and then bed.
So ended the last leg of our journey. So, this is so long, but lots has happened. Now if I can find electricity, we only had it for a little bit overnight, and internet, which if you are reading this I did, I will post this and switch from the legs of our journey to the phases or cycles of our lives in Zimbabwe. Just remember, being patient and flexible are key to making any journey a joy. And there is the old saying, it is not just the destination, it is the journey. This is one journey I am glad it is over, and we begin life in our new destination.