OMG we're in Africa

Hello Everyone,

Lance and I have arrived in Botswana and are checking in at the embassy. While he is running (literally I think) around to get all the right signatures I'll bring you a little up to date.

The flights were long but doable. We switched seats with some very generous fellow travelers and we able to sit next to each other the entire way.

Orlando to Atlanta we slept. Atlanta to (7.5 hours) Dakar, Senegal we watched a few movies.
(21 - fun movie, The Other Bolin Sister - great costumes, the Henry the 8th character was underdeveloped), Dakar to Johannesburg (9 hours) we watched another movie (Jumper- crap ending, good scenery) and slept. Johannesburg to Gaborone (1 hour) we slept. We were met at the airport by a member of embassy staff who got us squared away at a local hotel.

Funny T.I.A. (this is Africa) stories, one of my suitcases didn't quite make it and won't be delivered until later this evening. Of course this is the suitcase will my more professional clothing so I'm looking a little mix and match while meeting everyone at the embassy today. Lance has his luggage and looks fabulous the big jerk. : ) I understand lost luggage is an Africa rite of passage so we are right on schedule. As are the crummy embassy pass photos and we got that done at 9am. That's 2am in Florida for those of you keeping score. Next time you feel like having a giggle, take a 7, then 9 hour flight, loose your luggage with matching clothing and hair products, get 4 ish hours of sleep, then have your photo taken. Real cute let me tell you.

Another story: when we arrived at the hotel last night the electricity was out. This happens all over town on a regular basis and people plan for it with candles/lamps. We had neither so were glad when the electricity came back on mid check-in.

Last story is not so much a story as it is a running count. Day 1 and neither of us are sick yet! We had local food for lunch so here's crossing our fingers for Day 2.

So that is all the new news. The adventure begins. : )

Love to everyone,
Lance and Kristin

P.S. Hey quilt people! It looks like I'm going to be the new point of contact for a blanket distribution program. It does get very cold here at night and is actually colder inside the stone houses than out. I'm still getting the details but at first glance it looks like a good program. I'm especially interested in working something out with a local womens' shelter. So please keep it in the back of your minds. I'll let you know the details when I've checked everything out. (hugs)