What an ordeal getting Rachael out of here and on her way safely home. The insurance company insisted on more paperwork that the physician insisted he had filled out. No one was communicating and I spent last evening trying to get it all together. Finally, paperwork is in and we have a plan, but no itinerary. I waited and waited for the email with the information and had to get some sleep. I would rest in 20 minute increments then check the email. Finally, after midnight we received word she is booked on the 3:40am flight. Not going to happen! Then they wanted her on the same flight tonight. I called first thing in the morning and said "No way." After strongly suggesting to them that making an ill person stay up all night to catch a flight would set her back and possibly lead to more complications, maybe on the flight, they decided to look for more options. It ended up that we found a flight on Kayak that was perfect and called them and got them to buy that one. I wondered if they just didn't want to deal or had absolutely no clue. Other than that experience however, I was very impressed with FrontierMedex and how quickly they responded to Rachael's needs. I will definitely recommend them to everyone.
As soon as we knew Rachael's itinerary I was able to plan mine. Many of you know my emotional struggle with returning immediately to Atiak where there is a need, and taking one day to recoup. As it was, my travel agent could not get me on a morning flight tomorrow, just an evening one, which would be too late to drive north. The decision was made for me taking all the angst out of it. It feels like it is a sign from God and a release. So...tomorrow Mt. Kilimanjaro - a dream I've had since being a little girl. Thursday early morning flight to Entebbe, Uganda, then a ride to Gulu, then Paul our driver from the birth center will pick me up there. I should be in Atiak by late afternoon. It will feel good to get back.
At the same time, I do not for one moment feel my time here was not as important and necessary. I was blessed to be in the right place at the right time, and I was blessed to be able to be of service, but mostly, I was blessed to be given such joy in having this woman brought into my life. This whole experience has taught me much about inner strength and resiliency, about protection, about patience, about trust, about empathy, and things I am not even aware of yet. Plus I got to catch a baby in Kenya - how cool is that? :)
In the meantime, I want to describe the bits of Nairobi I've experienced. The immense beauty mixed with such intense poverty is overwhelming at times. I had hoped to visit Moffat again today but it is getting too late and I have to get up early. The people are the nicest people I have ever met, the driving is one of the worst driving I have ever experienced (India may tie). At night in the hotel when I would return from Rachael I would watch TV. The television shows are hysterical - they have Spanish and Swahili shows dubbed in English. But what makes it even more absurd is the voices do not go with the characters at all and there is no tonal differences except when someone is hysterical. I wish I could post a video here. Top three commercials: a cooking oil commercial that I swear borders on porn. It is shocking! A commercial in Swahili I think is about finding the right phone plan for your needs - it is a morbidly obese woman (the largest woman I ever saw) on a couch frantically pulling cell phones out from every fold in her body clearly looking for one she cannot find. The last - a toothpaste commercial that ends "For those who spit blood while brushing their teeth." I have gotten to know some of the men selling things on the street and have enjoyed my conversations with them. It has become my little neighborhood here and I will miss it when I leave Thursday. Actually, I will be gone all day tomorrow so this is really the end of my time wandering. I will not miss the hospital however!
Today, while driving Rachael to the airport (I do not drive we take a cab) there was a funeral service van that had "Dolphin Friendly" on its door. I am posting a photo below because I myself couldn't believe it when I saw it. What is a dolphin friendly funeral?
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