Skip to main content

Off we go again…

I was right in my assumption that I would not make my flight last night. It was a bit touch and go as it seemed like it would be possible, but then it wasn’t. I was a bit miffed as it would have been so nice to get to Kansas City and not have to travel for another morning. But then again, I was pretty exhausted so it was ok to be able to go to bed instead of getting on another flight. Still, for those of you who know me and how much I enjoy nice hotels, it wasn’t the same enjoyment when I really just wanted to be finished with my travelling.

Getting through customs and immigration was painless to say the least. As I apologised for the lack of much voice they all kindly processed me (or my documents) without much talking for which I was thankful. It’s strange how dependant I really am on my voice. On the plane it was really challenging to be able to even express what I wanted to drink when asked. And the poor guy next to me seemed to be in quite a chatty mood, but he soon discovered that any attempt at conversation was responded to by a polite smile.

The hotel was nice though, and I got some nachos for dinner with my food voucher. I had forgotten how big the portions are here though, and when I’d eaten what I could it still looked like I’d merely nibbled at the mountain of food. For breakfast I did enjoy French toast with syrup and yoghurt with fresh blueberries and strawberries (they seemed fresh, but might have been freshly defrosted).

I got to sleep around 10:30 pm, but when it got to around 3 am I started waking up. At first I thought it strange that I would be rested, but then it dawned on me that it was more a case of jetlag then anything else. Pleased to realise that my voice was coming back I snoozed for a few hours before I got up at 5am. As I enjoyed the hot shower I remembered with a smile how it was such a luxury to have hot water when I lived in Brazil and that the highlight when I was staying in a hotel (which was not very often) would be the warm showers. It’s funny how little things can mean so much.

So now I am sat at gate C32 at Chicago airport. I am so looking forward to getting to Kansas City and seeing my friends again and get to the prayer room. And I am glad I am feeling better! I don’t think I can sing quite yet, but it’s actually possible to make myself understood when I speak to someone now which is a great joy! I must remember to be thankful for the little things.

Next time I write, and in fact when I get this entry posted (internet here is charged for so I’ll wait for the free internet) I’ll be in Kansas City. I am excited and wonder what it’ll all be like. One thing is for sure: I’ll soon find out!

Popular posts from this blog

Getting to know the local culture.

Life is a strange thing. Last week went…not much happened, and then it was over. The weekend was quite calm without too many wild and exciting things happening. Except, of course, a wee outing to watch the National Championship for Veteran Ploughing. Now, like me, you might be sadly lacking an understanding of what this actually means. So I am delighted to be able to enlighten you in this respect. It’s basically (for the “farm-language-illiterate” like myself) a competition where you use old (hence the name “veteran”) tractors and ploughs, and plough up a stretch of field which is then evaluated and the one scoring the highest sum (accuracy, depth, how well the soil is turned is all given points) wins. I must admit that this information I got by eavesdropping on a conversation next to me where a man was explaining to some of my friends how it all works. So that was a fun adventure….although we only stayed for a bit. What is sort of occupying my mind at present is my upcoming travel abr...
Read more

Taking in the familiar and a heart connected.

Amsterdam. It still has that muggy feeling in Summer, and a constant flow of people which if you stop to think about it, it's quite amazing that there would even be space to accommodate them all. But then I guess they are not all staying. Just passing through on their way to or from somewhere. It's always good for the heart to visit somewhere that was once home. The familiarity of streets and customs makes it easier to embrace what might be new as well as the joy of being reacquainted with old friends. Friends. So many of them to be found in this city, ready with hugs and good words that are uttered when seeing someone who was away again. Friendship. A treasure that cannot be bought. Cobblestones trodden by many, including myself. Sitting on a bench. Praying. Remembering the first time I stumbled upon this area lined with windows with red lights and curtains. An area which has come to represent no longer windows, but people to me. Some still behind a window. Others who have ...
Read more

Tuesday children's prayer | Handing out shoes and feeding toddlers.

No day is the same here. After getting up early (which seems to be what I do here), and eating breakfast which was bread with butter (accompanied by an amazing cup of coffee given me by an American friend), I headed to the prayer room for children's prayer. This is a prayer time where the children come voluntarily to pray before school on Tuesdays and Fridays. Entering the room I was so impressed by how it was full of children eager to pray. There were probably 60 or 70 children there, and it was amazing to see one after the other choose to pray for their families and people who are sick, and other subjects on their little hearts. It was so great and an experience that I will carry with me for a long time. After prayer it was "Shoprite" time, which meant piling into a bus with other visitors and missionaries for the weekly shopping trip. I didn't quite know what to expect, but I had a few items to buy and hoped it would be a stress-free experience. As we drove along ...
Read more