We arrived in the Capitol!

Tuesday, August 14, 9:30 am in the Capitol.

We are at the guest house.

We left Wichita at 12:30 pm, went through Atlanta, Paris and then to the capitol.  Our seats on all legs were accidentally(? )upgraded to business class!  That was unexpected but quite pleasant.

Upon arrival we found the longest line to check our VISAs, but got our passports stamped without problem.  After waiting at the baggage claim until all the remaining pieces had gone around several times, I was short one trunk.  One huge, heavy trunk.  As Lisa went to fill out lost paperwork, I spotted it at the far end of the baggage claim area, apparently having fallen off the conveyer belt.  It was nice to welcome it back!  (Unlike Kenya when our bags were left or lost and made it to us a few days after arrival at our destination!)

We made it through customs with no problems - I would comment more on the simplicity of the system, but probably shouldn't discuss  anything regarding security, politics, etc.

We met our taxi driver, and crossed from the capitol to our guest house.  It was a Monday and commerce was going on beside the streets, cars and motorcycles that would never pass the DEQ were putting off ample emissions, and the heat was ok with the windows open providing a breeze.

We arrived at the guest house safely, and it is very comfortable.  There is a full kitchen, ample opportunity to get cold and clean water, a nice sitting area, our bedroom has three beds (and there are 3 other rooms), and fans in every room to help move the air.  On arrival the guest house was 90 degrees, and by the time we went to bed it had cooled off!  To 86 degrees.  There is an AC in our room, charged by the hour, and I was able to sleep comfortably.

We went on an excursion to visit a nearby bakery for baguette and stopped by a road side stand for eggs and oranges.  There is a drought and famine here, and I wonder if that changes the rules about bargaining.  As we learned later, some food is available, but most is unaffordable to the locals.  There has been rain nearly every day for a while now, and everything on arrival and driving through town was green, but the lack of food now stems from last years drought, and this growing season won't be available until October.  There is some great fear that locust will destroy the crops, when the grow, and spraying can't be done over neighboring countries as the planes may be shot at.

We were invited to dinner by some missionaries a few blocks away, and it was nice to have somewhere to go, good food, good conversation and good company.

It had been a long journey, but thankfully uneventful.  We went to bed early, and I slept well.  Although between hours here and there on the plane, there were several hours overnight I could not sleep, but none-the-less woke up rested.  I enjoyed a cold shower, and since have been sitting under a fan, writing this; to be posted when internet is available.

Thank you for your prayers for safety in travel.