Adventure within the adventure (posted from Brussels)

I figured that getting to the airport in Freetown might be complicated, but I had no idea just how much!

First, the team met Saturday night to complete electronic forms for the SL government. What about? Covid. They want us to verify that we are vaccinated. I'm not sure why, since we were leaving, but nonetheless. Hard part was 13 of us trying to get on WiFi and work through it.

Then there was the luggage. Oh my! We have NINE trunks, maybe 10 large check-in bags, plus carry-ons. There were 6 SUVs involved when we drove away from the hotel at 11:30 Sunday morning.

First stop: ferry terminal. The wait was a little over an hour, but not bad. Except of course, no AC. While there, a vendor approached us carrying maybe 40 cloth bags to sell. He told me he had made them himself - with his fists. Both hands had been amputated, most likely during the civil war as that was a fairly common brutality. Of course, I bought a bag.

We had ferry reservations, so that was good. Nice seats, etc. I guess 100 passengers. The ferry takes you across the harbor to get to Lungi Airport. About 30 minutes.

Off the ferry, walk a very long dock, cram all together in a small building, wait on small shuttle buses. (Dock about the distance of our old one on James Island.)

Shuttle ride is short, but jaw-dropping. Sierra Leone is by far the poorest place I have ever been. And this was the poorest of the poor. The dirt road itself was almost impossibly rutted. The huts people were living in were half falling down, using palm branches to help cover roofs. Trash was everywhere. Mangy dogs and ragged little children ran alongside the buses as best they could. No one on earth should live like that - if you can even call it living. (And then there’s the total irony of airline passengers winding through it to fly off to international locations...)

After about 10 minutes, we arrive outside the airport and mayhem sets in. Remember all those trunks and suitcases? The ferry people unload them and it's pretty much a free-for-all trying to find yours, but also just keeping your balance in the pushing and shoving. (And did I mention the heat?)

Finally, with bags in tow, we shuffle through a few security people, each asking to see pretty much the same thing (the covid vaccine verification we had screensaved on our phones, etc.). I'm guessing it was close to an hour from the time we got off the shuttle bus and up to a check-in counter.

Did I mention that the airport interior has no AC either?

First stop inside was bag wrap. Yep, all bags (and several trunks, by mistake) got shrink wrapped. This is done to prevent any locals in the baggage handling areas from pilfering. It takes a good while for everyone's stuff.

Then..

Brussels Air check-in was smooth - really. Well, there was a matter of the small machine producing our boarding passes. It jammed…but a minor delay in the scheme of things.

Now...passport check (again), then passport control. All smooth. Getting close!!!

Ah, the waiting area! Whew. First stop is bathroom. I have no local money when I discover the bathroom cleaner expects a tip. So, much to her amazement, I gave her a 5 Euro bill. I have no idea where that much is on the daily wage scale, but based on her expression, at least a few days’ pay. Somehow, it just seemed like the least I could do.

At that point, the team was ready for food, so we hit the restaurant. I got fries and a coke.

Boarding started at 6:20 or so. Just one big call to board and everyone surged forward. Every carry-on bag was then inspected by hand. Then a bus ride about 50 feet to the stairs up to the plane. We had finally made it!

Some sort of insecticide was sprayed lightly throughout the plane before we could take off. But take off we did -- to Liberia, for a short intermediary stop and more insecticide.

Then 6ish hour flight to Brussels, where we now sit waiting for our next flight to Dulles. I like to think the Adventure Within the Adventure is over and the rest of the trip will be uneventful.

PS. AC is really wonderful!

PPS. Total time from hotel to first flight take-off?  7.5 hours, I think!