Passport To Africa

Sweet!

I sent my passport off to the Togo Embassy in Ottawa on a Thursday.  Amazingly, it was sent back to me - with a very official looking stamp - by the next Tuesday.  That is some pretty high efficiency for a government agency.  Maybe it's the fact that no one else is applying for a visa to Togo.  I may have been their only customer!


Not so sweet.

I decided to start taking my Typhoid Fever pills.  Four of them in total, one every other day, on an empty stomach.  (when does that ever occur??)  I checked out the package before popping the fist pill and realized that it said "Keep Refrigerated".  Now, on top of my dresser for 2 weeks is not what most consider refrigeration.  I called the pharmacist and he suggested getting a new prescription, since they are only good for approximately 12 hours outside of a fridge.  Another $40. These aren't very fun pills.  The first one gave me a weird, nauseous feeling for a couple of hours.  Maybe it was because of the empty stomach...?

The only medications I have left are the pills that I need to take when I leave - and continue taking once a day for a week after I return home.  Hopefully they taste more like chocolate!

Big Old Jet Airliner

Tickets to and from Togo are in place.  I ended up swapping from Air Canada and SN Brussels and going with Air France.  It will cost a bit more initially to go with AF but will make traveling back from Mango to the Lome airport much more convenient.  I hope to hitch a ride with a group from Ohio that is heading out of Togo at the same time.  Hopefully Air France has good food on board.

The Pack Mule

 

I haven't told too many people that I am going on this trip.  I mean, I've told people close to me, those that may want to follow along with what's going on, and even with those that like to laugh at others' pain and suffering.  Sometimes those characteristics are embodied in the same person!

I have had numerous people come up to me over the past couple of weeks at church and ask if they can send items along with me to take to the Westons over in Togo.  Now, I like most of these people.  I like the Westons, too.  (well, I like Nate... and the kids... Erin is just my sister.) 

I have been asked to take medical supplies (I'm not a doctor, not going to a functioning hospital, but whatever), maple syrup (seriously, it won't make it all the way there! Mmmm.), and even toys for their pet dogs (what the ....????).  When traveling, it's always nice to be loaded down with as much as possible.  Those extra baggage fees are nice.  Having to haul extra weight around an airport you've never been to is gratifying.  Is your sarcasm meter pinging yet??

Now, I know people just want to be supportive and show how much they care.  I get that. I just will say no after a while.  There are lots of items that have been requested by Erin and even more stuff that family members here want to get delivered.  Somewhere in all of that I want to fit an extra pair of underwear and my teddy bear!  Two checked bags at 50lbs each, a carry-on bag and one 'personal item' are all that I'm allowed to take.

I was just messaging back and forth with Erin while typing some of this out.  She says she now has a bunch of stuff to send home with me...  A pack mule.  That's the reason for my trip. Sounds good to me!



Oh, one more thing...  I asked my boss for the time off.  He said "Don't worry, won't miss you"...

Le 'Bun'

 
In this update we'll learn that a certain ABWE office staff member has a weakness for chocolate croissants; booking plane tickets is easy when someone else does it; and the feud continues with sister-in-law Tammy (she started it). 

Death By Chocolate

First, I must say that it has been a pleasure dealing with Brenda in the ABWE office.  She has been very accommodating and quite helpful during the process of getting approved and all of the paperwork started for going to Togo.  She has a fun sense of humour, as well, which is always a bonus.  I am also learning that she has a weakness for chocolate croissants! 

You see, Brenda has 'suggested' that things might work out better for me if she was provided with a homemade chocolate croissant made in the kitchen of my sister (who is in Togo).  Brief history lesson:  Togo was a French colony from 1920 up until 1960.  The French brought their love of pastries and cooking to Africa and the locals learned to cook / bake these treats from the colonials.  This talent stuck with the Togolese people even after the French moved back to Europe.   Brenda has since gone so far as to offer to provide a plastic bag to bring said croissants home with me from Togo.  Is that even legal??? 

Regardless, now that I have found her weakness I shall try to leverage this to my benefit!  (insert evil laugh here)

Travel Plans

I was referred to travel agent Colleen by Brenda at ABWE.  Colleen appears to be a magician.  Once I contacted her, gave her my home and destination info and available dates she had a reply to me in less than half an hour.  Government agencies take note - this is efficient!  I have a couple of flights to choose from, but these would be flying economy class and making several stop-overs for fuel, passengers, and to get directions.  (I have pictured the flight to be something out of the Dreamworks "Madagascar" cartoon movies - with the crazy penguins as the pilots, cobbled together aircraft and an unknown destination!) 

I have yet to finalize the arrival and departure dates only because I'm waiting for some information to filter it's way out of Africa.  Blame my sister Erin for that.  Once I have that info, it's a matter of contacting the efficient Colleen and getting my name on a ticket.  Then I will be ready to 'move it, move it' to the destination.

The Feud

As some may know, there is a feud - a rift, as is it were - in the family.  A family feud.  I was made more aware of it again just yesterday after a lovely meal with the family.

You see, my sister-in-law Tammy is jealous of me for some reason.  I figure it has to do with my good looks, or that her parents call me more often, or something like that.  Anyhow, she is always finding ways to make my life miserable or cause me pain in some way. 

I'm not looking for sympathy or a shoulder to cry on.  No, I'm a big boy.  I can handle it.  I just want people to be aware that behind that lovely smile, sweet disposition and caring spirit is a mean and nasty girl.  She forced food upon me, even to the point of me eating it in fear of my well-being.  (It was roasted chicken, whipped potatoes, broccoli-carrot casserole and green beans.  I didn't want to but she forced me!) She has even resorted to physical abuse.  Sure - it looked like a hug, but she squeezed hard!  She even punched me in the shoulder once.  I've done my part to try to put this behind us, but she sometimes gives me that knowing look, like she saw me take the extra chocolate chip cookie square...  (well, I did - but still...)

It's not over, Tammy.  No, not over at all.  Remember - you started it!






Oh, one more thing...

Why do the French call it a 'croissant'?  Couldn't they just call it a 'bun'?