Saturday, March 10, 2012

Travel to KIEV

Our tour guide entertained us until midnight when he dropped us off at the airport. Manesh was familiar with the check in process and walked us through until we arrived at the long, slow line. We had all we needed and knew how to proceed from there, so we sent him home. Slowly and tediously we walked through the steps of check-in, security and boarding being extra careful to double check all luggage tags and carry-on tags at each check point. The eight hours in flight were mostly spent sleeping with a light snack first and breakfast near the end.
Jonnie and I had to say good-bye before we could go through our separate security points since our flights left from different wings of the airport. Our three weeks had been planned and prepared with so many meetings between the two of us for months before the trip. Two strangers who became sisters and walked down paths rarely traveled by women parted for a time with eager anticipation of the days we will share together later in March.
Waiting in the Frankfurt airport, I was rearranging my carryon bags to stash my backpack and fill my Come before Winter bag when I saw a lady sitting just across the aisle glancing in my direction from time to time. Sure enough, it was my new roommate! Janet was traveling from Swaziland as the missionary liaison for CbW Ukraine. She arrived in Frankfurt shortly after I did, so we had an hour to visit and make connections before the team all arrived. Janet has served many years in Africa, and Betty K taught her children while she served in Kenya. In fact she and her husband always stay with my dear friend when they visit in Texas. They lived in southwestern Kenya where KWO has several orphanages and feeding stations, so we had many things to discuss. By the time the team arrived, we were fast friends!
The flight to Kiev was brief and beautiful! The land soon became covered with snow and glistened in the bright sunlight! It was so fun to emerge from the plane to the crisp air and delightful clean fresh world! Our luggage all arrived and sailed through customs. Our drivers and vans were waiting for us, so we loaded and headed to the sanatorium. Check in was smooth…Time to unpack and reorganize…wash clothes…eat lunch…meet together and make lots of plans!
Several of us adventured outside for a walk through the snow during our free time. We stayed in the well beaten path where the snow is about four inches deep, but the traction allows for safe hiking. The snow on the yards and unplowed areas is as much as 6-8 inches. The area is filled with houses and apartments of various ilk. Some of the Ukrainian people were firing up a grill in a backyard as we passed. They tried to communicate with us as we stopped to pose our picture in the snow. But there were more giggles from both sides than true communication.
Our day ended early so we could catch some much needed rest.
A new adventure has begun!

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