Challenges I Never Dreamed Of

I like to consider myself an experienced traveler. I took Italian in high school because I knew they took a trip to Italy every few years and you had to take Italian to be eligible to go. I remember asking my parents and there answer was "If you pay for it yourself, you can go." This method had worked previously on my brother, but I don't think my parents quite understood my will and determination. A few months later they were waving goodbye at the airport while I took my first overseas trip without them.

This pattern continued with living in California for 10 weeks after my first year of college, my first and second trips to Africa, missions trips to Mexico and the Dominican Republic. I know what it's like to lead large groups of students through countries that don't speak my language or use my currency.

Yet, even with all that to prepare me, this past week was one of the hardest of my life. Even though we had already spent 8 weeks with Isaac I found myself feeling like a first time mom in an unfamiliar circumstance. In addition to parenting through Isaac's grief I faced power outages, bugs in places you never want bugs, illness and sleepless nights. All of this was magnified by the time difference. My entire support system felt very far away. I am forever thankful for friends and family that patiently texted with me for hours in the middle of their work days to keep me company until I could fall asleep (or until the wifi ran out).

Wednesday was a long day as we prepared to head to the airport. We picked up the Visa without complication at 4pm. I was surprised to see that these life changing documents were simply placed a manila envelope with some scotch tape and a stamp. The value that had been impressed on me about this envelope made it feel like they should be placed in an iron case with lock and key and perhaps lasers or something. "Do NOT let anyone open this packet until you get to customs in the USA." Every person I met reminded me how important this packet was.

Once we were packed and had our Visa paperwork stashed away, Isaac and I had a delicious dinner with the families at Herb and Ellen's guest house and then began our long journey home.

Waving goodbye to friends at the guest house.

Our first obstacle to the airport was traffic...and we were running out of gas. Thankfully, by the time we actually got close to running out of gas we were on a down hill slope and we coasted our way into the gas station.

Once we got to the airport our driver helped us load our bags onto a cart and push them up the steep hill to the entrance for departing flights. After a quick hug I was once again on my own as we entered the airport. Isaac decided to grace this moment by literally pooping his pants as we waited in line for security. The only bathroom was on the other side of immigration  and there were several check points between it and me, so I did the only thing I could do; I laid him down on the floor and changed him right there in line. Thankfully, I had his warm clothes packed in his little red backpack and I had thought to bring wipes. When all was said and done I tossed his soiled pants in a trash can and just kept going. What else could I do?

After passing through security we waited in line at immigration. This did not go well. I had asked at Embassy what paperwork would be requested at Entebbe. They said they ask for different paperwork all the time. "Just make sure you have photocopies of all your paperwork". Thanks to Bill I was set.

 However, what they actually asked for was photographs of Isaac. Specifically passport size photos. We had given all of our remaining photos to the Embassy when we applied for his Visa. The woman (not so politely) suggested I did through my files and look to see if I had missed anything. I stepped aside and began to search all 26 folders but I knew what I would find, there were no passport photos in this file. After about an hour of angry looks from the immigration agents and several calls and messages to supervisors I wasn't sure what would happen. "We can't let her through without photos..."

Eventually, they agreed to take photos of Isaac with their little eyeball camera attached to their computer. I chose not to point out that I had suggested this solution over an hour ago and simply rejoiced at the fact that for the first time in over an hour it looked like they might let me through.

Now that we were finally through all the entry check points I still had two hours with Isaac in the airport before we boarded our flight. We passed the time with a snack. It was in the restaurant that I overheard the news..."something, something, plane crash today, yada, yada, happening more and more frequently, back to you Jim" Frank Ferrara, I immediately thought of you! Am I seriously sitting in an airport listening to news of a plane crash?! I choose to pretend this moment didn't happen and we found a cozy spot near a large TV highlighting the many animals found in Uganda to pass the remainder of our time.

Dancing at 10pm and shouting "pa pane! (airplane)"

 Isaac did not like it when the stewardess told him he had to sit in his own seat for take off. Thankfully, Mommy had put sweeties in her backpack for just such a thing. I forgot to mention that security had forced me to check my carry-on luggage (the only luggage I was bringing home) because I was traveling alone with a small child. In the moment I choose not to fight the battle, I just wanted to get on the plane and go home. It was later that I realized I no longer had my medications for my cold, the benadryl to help Isaac sleep or my warm clothes for going home. 

Isaac slept through the entire first flight (even without benadryl!) He was slightly unsettled for take off and landing but otherwise the first flight went well. Mommy was too sick to sleep but we both survived. 

Where is Isaac? Who needs toys?

The flight attendant gave us a memory game that came in handy during our 4 hour layover. The first two hours were spent waiting for a bus (Isaac pronounces it buTT) to take us to our terminal.

Thankfully the second two hours were spent at the play area in our departure terminal. We also enjoyed people movers and watching the zamboni clean the tile floors.

SECOND FLIGHT

It was snowing in Brussles, yes I'm still in just a tank top. Isaac just pointed and stared. He didn't react to the cold at all. Mommy on the other hand couldn't wait to get inside.

The snow started accumulating on our window and Isaac really got interested. We sat on the plane for almost 2 hours waiting to get deiced before we could take off. Isaac took this opportunity to touch absolutely everything on the plane and shout "Mommy" over and over every time he saw something new. 

Don't let the smile fool you. Soon after this photo was taken Isaac ripped the headphones out of his ears and began whipping me with them. Apparently this is much more fun. LOL. We spent the rest of our flight without sound. 

 Isaac's favorite thing to do on the flight was announce to everyone one board what the flight attendants were doing. "Mommy, eat!" for when they were passing out food, "Mommy, Wa-ta" for when they were serving beverages, etc. He also liked to point out loudly when anyone on the plane fell asleep, or ate, or got up to go to the bathroom, etc. Thank goodness he is so cute! He finally crashed again after lunch and stayed like this for three hours.

So close we can taste it! The last two hours of the flight were spent looking out the window and watching the movie "Dolphin Tale 2" without sound. By this point everyone on the plane was awake so I just let Isaac happily narrate for everyone on the plane. I think some of them even enjoyed it by now. LOL

Isaac won over the team at customs in the USA. He was fascinated with the guys lime green gloves and the customs agent was nice enough to share a pair with Isaac. His first welcome home gift! After waiting a half hour for the bags we never intended to check, mommy pulled out her long sleeve shirt and then we rushed to find Cara and Daddy. Someone from the airport had already come to find us to let us know Bill was waiting for us.

It was a beautiful moment when we saw each other from across the room. Unfortunately, it was hard to photograph because we had to wiggle through a large crowd of people to find one another. Bill and I kept peaking up over all the heads to smile at one another as we got closer and closer. When the maze finally ended there was just one very tall, very large gentlemen between us. This kind man took one look at our faces and quickly stepped aside to let the hugs begin. Isaac screamed "Daddy!" and my heart finally rested. We were home.