Chris and I have made it back to the USA after 17 hours of traveling by air; 2 hours by ferry; and 9 hours sitting at Lungi International Airport in between. WE have only two flights left from NYC – SLC – Missoula and then we will be home. I hope you were able to see the pictures we posted.
Our way out of Sierra Leone started at 11am with a final lunch on Sunday. ( The night before was our going away party. Many board members and staff joined us for dinner of Cous Cous and chicken; Beer ( Star and Savannah); gifts, speeches, and dancing to african rhythms! ) Christian and Alieu went with us on the ferry and then to the airport where we watches several soccer matches in the sweltering heat, frank more Star beers to stay hydrated and ate chips. several attempts were made by local young men to help us care for our bags, or cue up, or get us to the front of the line at the gate. At one point, the gate guard became angry when we wouldn’t accept his help to cut in front of the line for 20,000 Leones per person ( corruption is on the wane in S/L but still exists). Eventually, we made it through customs, but I was certainly waiting for the next request for a bribe ( ” Sir, so you have any extra leones? I do not make very much money, as you know.”)
ALl flights so far have been just fine and we are excited to return. It is hard for me to readjust to our lifestyle here after the difficult living conditions I witnessed in Sierra Leone.
