Parting shots and arrivals

Just a couple of parting shots of Amsterdam.:

Industrious recycling does exist here, though the humans don’t seem to be the beneficiaries…

And at the airport, it was clear that some people had not spoken with Tim about the proper dress for Kenyan travel…

Our seat mate on the plane is a Dutch fellow working for an NGO that focuses on TB, which is still a big problem in Africa and Pakistan, as well as a number of other countries. Niko’s primary job is to gather data, which he says is the necessary foundation for any NGO to really be effective.

I wonder how many of the 450 people on this plane work for an NGO, or have in some way, like us, been a part of one.

Finally, the Kenya airport, the visa lines, the non-existent customs check, and we are out in a mass of people holding up signs with names on it. After scanning the faces I finally see a familiar one – Pauline! along with the smiling face of Carol. Willis and Ed, their son, meet us at the car.

It makes such a difference to be met by someone at the airport, in an unfamiliar place. I feel like we are meeting old friends after a long separation, but at the same time I feel the shyness of meeting someone for the first time. I ask which name Pauline prefers to use, and she laughs and says she likes to be called by her first name, Bettie, but we can call her Pauline, as we always have. Richard quickly responds, ” Okay, Bettie!”

Pauline is charming, lovely, with a quiet voice and a ready laugh. Carol and Willis are both so kind, welcoming, and make our transition so much more comfortable. When I briefly panic when the hotel concierge says our stay is two nights (I think I’ve made a mistake about the departure), Willis says not worry, we can look at it tomorrow. Oh right, I don’t need to have everything figured out right this minute!

Bettie Pauline, Carol, and Richard