TIA

Cultural experiences...good times...good times! I'm sure this will be a first of many...and I hope that they only get better. It all started when my lovely roommate Maria, had her last trunk lost in Germany. It was a sad day for her, be she sucked it up and knew that she would soon see it again. So yesterday the airline calls and says that it has arrived and to please come and get it. We all venture out to the airport, try with all our might to get her trunk, and to no avail...nothing. They had moved the trunk to another area because we were "late"...hello this is Africa....no time here....but whatev! They told us to come again tomorrow.

Today we receive a call saying that the trunk is now in the office and again can we please come down and get it. We head out again...minus a sister...but ready for battle! This time, instead of going into the airport we went to the office. Here in Africa to get in anywhere you must show every important document ever written about you, so me and Maria quickly do that, and then just walk over to the table. We had just had a little Arabic lesson earlier today, so we decided maybe now was the time to use it...probably not very wise on our part! We speak a little and then realize that we should listen..just listen. Next thing we know we have found the trunk but realize the number on it does not match the number on her ticket, so we must walk over to the other office. Now I'm all for walking....it's good exercise...but doing it in 115 degrees, a long distance...not very fun. We decided to make the best of it, practiced a little language along the way, and were just glad the sun has such a good since of humor! We get the precious numbers we need, and trek back to the trunk. Once arriving we are quickly ushered to a back cage...yes cage...where Maria was to sign the ticket so that we could actually take the trunk home. The men we pretty nice, thankfully, so she signed and we started heading out. Again...everything must be checked...so we plop the trunk in front of two women who take everything thing out asking questions along the way. It was pretty entertaining, especially when upon arriving at the feminine products asked, "Is this some kind of food?". I was laughing too much to explain, so poor Maria tried, with no avail. They questioned a little more, but alas let us go free, trunk and all!!

So what can be learned from this you might ask....patience is key, only knowing a few words in a new language will not get you very far, and when all else fails just remember....TIA...THIS IS AFRICA!!