Some of us went to bed at 3pm, others at 6pm, and some of us didn’t sleep at all last night. Hussain picked us up at the hotel at 1am in order to catch our 4am flight. We got to the airport got all of our equipment through security and then proceeded to the ticket counter.
We think the airlines are reading the blog too because the guy at this ticket counter could smell fresh blood coming. He had a blast telling us all the wrong things and messing with us any way he could. He told us they only took cash…. he told us to go here, here, and here, and then started laughing really hard before he said he was just joking. We have often talked about how easy it would be for someone to just screw with us because we have no idea what we are doing and this guy got us good.
After we got all the bags checked and got our boarding passes we said good-bye to Hussain. We are going to miss him; he really helped us out a lot, and basically became part of the band for a few days. We’ve run into a bunch of good people that take care of us on these trips but he is definitely at the top of the list.
From there we got through security, grabbed some food, and went to our gate. The flight was fine and we got to Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) around 8am. We had a few hours to kill so we found our gate and then wandered around for a bit. About 10:45 we decided to head back to our gate for our 11:30 flight. When we got there, the gate was empty and everyone was wondering where we had been. Apparently in Ethiopia when a flight says it leaves at 11:30, they mean it leaves the ground at 11:30, not the gate. We were definitely the last people on that plane but we made it.
After a quick 45-minute flight we landed in Djibouti. We got off the plane to sunshine and 90 degree weather. (We are not missing the terrible weather in Iowa if you were wondering.) We proceeded to customs where we encountered our first “problem” of the trip.
There was only one guy issuing visas to get into Djibouti and once again he was screwing with us only not in such a playful way. On our other stops our paperwork usually tells us what the fees and visas will be. Usually they aren’t very much and it’s not a problem but here our paperwork said nothing about the cost and when we arrived we found out the visa cost everybody $60 each. This was a problem because a lot of our money was still in Dinar and they wouldn’t take it. Collectively we had $435 US on us that in theory would cover the $420 visa cost for 7 people. However, he refused to take our $100 bills because they were not “new enough”. This really is a third world country so they didn’t have an ATM or credit card machine and we thought we were just screwed. After about an hour of going back and forth with this guy, while he laughed at us, he reluctantly took the $100 bills and we got out of there as fast as we could.
We were met by James and Tammy, grabbed our equipment, and took off for the base. We arrived at the base and this base is definitely another one of those “real” bases. It’s a little bit more developed than Sheik Isa but it’s along the same lines. We were issued security badges, grabbed some lunch at the “Bob Hope Galley”, dropped our equipment off at the venue, and then headed to our “rooms” to get situated. We are staying in CLU-ville (Container Living Units). They are old shipping containers that have been converted into living quarters. They are air-conditioned and fairly comfortable.
After unloading our bags we went on a quick tour of the base before heading back to get some rest. Some of us crashed at 5pm for the whole night while others met back up with James and headed to 11 Degrees North (The Venue - The base is located 11 degrees north of the equator, thus the name of the bar). They met some troops, had a few beers (3 drink max here), and then called it a night.
5 comments:
Since you don't miss the cold Iowa weather does that mean we are moving some place warm.....?!!!
Heads up...You should know that Dubai airport works the same way. Check in and board waaaaayyy before your flight actually leaves. Enjoying the posts. Have fun!
~Jes
Helllllllo from NH (AKA Cowhampshire). We're enjoying reading your blogs and are glad you're having an amazing time! Still listen to you guys daily and still love every minute of it!! :) Be safe and have a blasttttt! :)
~Abby and Ryan
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO OUR Blue Island Tribe boys
Mery Christmas Brandon!!!!
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