After packing up 15 bags, 3 carry-ons, and 2 backpacks, we headed off on our journey back home. The kids, as always, were super excited and Brett and I, well, we were going. :) We have been thankful, though, that we were both happy once we arrived and have had a relatively easy transition back.
It is always these two competing for the spotlight.
Waiting for our plane with our new teacher, Lauren, who from the moment we met has proved to be simply fantastic. Flying across the world with four kids doesn't really allow you to make a great first impression. :) She quickly saw us as we really are. She has been super helpful and always on the go. I'm amazed at her drive and desire to work and be a blessing. We are SO THANKFUL for her!
In the Paris airport. None of us slept well on the plane and Silas didn't sleep at all so when we finally were in Paris and had time to sit, fatigue overtook the boys and they were out. We had to move them to get to our gate and they were still deep in sleep.
As we were heading onto our flight to Bamako, Brett was putting all the passports back into his pocket. Kenan had two because his passport had been renewed but his visa was still valid in the old one. Brett realizes he doesn't have Kenan's old passport. Somehow along the way when we went through security someone didn't give the old passport back. But now, we have past all security at this point. We are literally walking onto the plane. We stop because we can't get into Mali without a visa. We hesitate to mention it to the workers because they would technically have to pull us from the flight but we felt we had to ask just to see if they had the passport. They didn't and mentioned they needed to call their supervisor. We tried reaching our director in Mali. Thankfully, I guess because they didn't want to admit to their superiors that they had let someone through security without a visa, they let us on the plane and we'd have to figure it out once we got there.
While we normally mock the "security" at the Malian airport and say that all is about show rather than real security, we were thankful for this as we entered the country this time. We were able to explain the situation, say a few jokes, give a little "food money"and were on our way. We told K that he can now say he has been an illegal immigrant. :) Don't worry, we got the visa situation taken care of the very next day.
Thankfully we arrived for the end of rainy season. Though that means tons of humidity, we have been able to enjoy a few rains...and of course hot chocolate!
