Last Minute Preparation

At Work

Preparing to leave for two weeks in Togo, Africa isn't too bad.  I mean, you have to plan on being busy right up until you leave.  You have to expect to be busy catching up when you get back.  I don't think I'll get my desk cleared off before I go!  Who am I kidding?  It never gets cleared off.

We had to get our annual safety training scheduled, completed and out of the way.  That was the big thing.  It's looked after now.  Anything else is just the routine day-to-day activities that will need attention.

At Home

The home front is a different story...
There is work scheduling, babysitting/day care, hockey practices and games, swimming lessons, ball hockey, meals to prepare - although they'd eat cereal for every meal of the day, kids to be sent off to school (and remembered to be picked up again!) and so many more tasks that need to be looked after.  I'm thankful for a supportive wife and family (my parents and my more-mature-but-not-older sister, and even sister-in-law Tammy - who started the feud - have all volunteered to pitch in).  It's going to be lots of work.  I appreciate everyone sacrificing to allow me to go to Africa.  Especially my lovely wife.  If you don't already know - she rocks!

My Flight

I leave Detroit International Airport on Jan 18th.  I fly to Paris, hang around in the airport for a couple of hours then continue on to Lome, Togo.  There I am supposed to meet Erin, Nate and the kids.  Erin gave me a brief run-down of what to do once I put my feet on the tarmac in Lome.  Here is the quote lifted from the email...

Okay,

When you get on your final flight to come into Lome, you'll be handed a white card - a Disembarkment Card.     You'll need to fill out the info on it.  I can't remember all the details, but just answer the questions the way they want you to answer -- you're a tourist, your visiting family, whatever.  Don't mention that you're planning on starting a drug cartel during your business trip, okay??

Here's our name and address and phone number that needs to go on the card FOR SURE:

c/o ABWE mission 

BP 10

Mango, Togo

Then, when the plane lands, get off fast and get on to the shuttle bus that takes you to the terminal/customs.  Be sure to have your passport and your white Disembarkment Card and your Yellow Fever Immunization card ready to rock and roll.  Just go right up to the window, push past all the other people and before you even get to the customs windows, some guy will want to see your yellow fever card - IF you don't have it, they will pull you aside and give you a shot right there!  

Go to the customs window, pass your stuff in, the guy will speak French (sort of low-talking, mumbled and slurred French that you won't understand), stamp your passport and let you into the "warehouse / terminal" - there's only one luggage carousel, so wait there, grab your stuff and get in line for security.  It's pretty obvious where it is because there is only one exit from the terminal to the actual airport.  We can't come in there, so just get in line for customs (and have a few francs or euros just in case you need to pay off the guard).  They'll put your stuff through the x-ray machine, and then you'll step out where we'll be waiting!!  

If we can get permission to come in there, we will.  There is one guy, Mr. Laurent, who sometimes can go in and help people, so if a not-so-tall black man comes up to you and introduces himself as Laurent, he's a friend - not a foe.  Don't hit him!!  Or, we'll just wait for you to come through that frosted glass door and greet you with hugs, smooches, confetti and the like.  Not a marching band -- they're hard to get on a Friday night.  :)

 

I Come With Baggage

I'm allowed one piece of baggage, one carry-on bag and one 'personal item'.  The airline will charge $75 for one more piece of baggage.  I will be paying the additional fee to take another tub!  

I, no - WE - have almost everything packed into two large Rubbermaid tubs.  These are the perfect dimensions.  They are also sturdy and strong enough to survive the trip relatively intact.  With everything packed in these tubs we only have weight restrictions to worry about - 50 lbs each.  This is just the stuff for the Westons.  Packing the tubs was a group effort.  My sister (yes, the more mature one referenced above...) and my mom gathered all of the items together, Nate's mom and dad came over to assist with packing, as well.  I've mentioned before that people have asked to send items over for the kids or dogs or the hospital or whatever.  Well those items have been prioritized (by Erin, mostly) and packed.  It might be like Christmas for the Westons when the tubs get there.  I hope so, at least.  And hey, maple syrup IS a priority!

My luggage?  Well, it all goes in a small carry-on bag.  Two weeks worth of gear jammed into a small backpack.  Yeah, right...  Nate, may I borrow some clothes??

Oh, one more thing....

My 'personal item' that I'm taking??  A fishing rod.  This trip is all about working.  Happy, happy, happy!