be_on_key

My mind is racing and my heart is full after two days in Rwanda.  We have not met one person who was not affected by the 1994 Genocide.  Yet the people of this country are exhibiting a supernatural ability to forgive and reconcile for the greater good of the nation.  Imprisoned Hutus are now returning to assimilate amongst the surviving family and friends of their Tutsi victims.  Those who ask for forgiveness receive it.  Not because they deserve it, but because the survivors know that bitterness is a prison.

To forgive is to be free.

I’m on my way to Rwanda and I thought I’d take you along.  I’ll be posting as I am able throughout the trip.  I give you the inaugural entry… 

The airline switched planes on us in Detroit so we were on a much smaller plane.  That meant we could only take one piece of luggage on the plane.  I had two pieces.  Everything was with me so nothing is lost in transit.  So, after a quick repacking in the waiting area to accommodate a couple of days of clothing should said bag get lost, I board the plane. 

Me = happy and content (dare I say smug?) because I have an exit row seat.  Window.  Perfect for a red-eye to Amsterdam.  A scrawny Dutch guy has the aisle seat.  Nobody boarding is very large so it looks like my luck is kicking in. 

And then… 

The Russian Strongman team boards at the last minute.  And I’m not kidding.  They had the matching track jackets to prove it.  The biggest, widest, most Russian of them all is assigned the middle seat.   

Next.  To.  Me. 

Soon the panic induced by the armrests groaning as he squeezed into his seat was replaced by the sunburn to the right side of my face from his body heat.  My new bosom buddy (!) was clearly more uncomfortable than I.  In fact, it was not so bad being wedged between his triceps and the window.  I was able to sleep without worrying about slouching or nodding!  I would have taken a photo but I couldn’t move enough to get my camera or phone out of my backpack…

We all made it to Amsterdam safely and now I’m in Dubai waiting for our flight to Addis Ababa en route to Kigali. More to come!