From Here to There...

Getting from the US to Bundibugyo is no small feat. We've crossed the Atlantic more times than I care to remember although there are some crossings that are clearly imprinted on my memory.

Like the time I traveled to the US alone with Joe (3) and Louisa (2). She was going through a vivid imagination stage and could magically transform into a puppy, usually when she had to do something she didn't like. All sorts of British folk were horrified as my "new puppy" Louisa crawled her way through the crowded airport, at one point licking the floor as we waited to board the plane! Or the time we traveled back to Uganda with 3 month old twins. Everyone was so wonderful and gracious to us, but I arrived in Uganda feeling normal and with no jet-lag. Both the result of prayer AND the realization that I had gotten as much sleep on an airplane holding them that I usually got anyplace at that time. (2 back to back 8 hour international flights will forever remind me of the sheer exhaustion and sleep deprivation of their first 6 months.)

This journey was no exception. The basics of travel are:
a 2 hour domestic flight to Detroit
an 8 hour flight to Amsterdam
an 8 hour flight to Nairobi, Kenya
a 1 hour flight to Entebbe, Uganda
then after supply shopping and some sleep in a real bed
a 10 hour drive cross country to Bundibugyo

Part of the timing of our travel was taking advantage of the "infant" fares available to babies 0-2. Each ticketed adult can hold a baby in their lap for only 10% of the ticket cost. A pretty good bargain for our family! Of course, this was much easier when the twins were 3 months old. Junst under the wire at 23 months, we were squeashed into 4 seats both holding very independent minded and mobil toddlers. Poor Joe and Louisa endured both howling and kicking as their siblings tried to escape and explore. Probably the sweetest moment of the whole trip was on the leg to Amsterdam. Both twins were in my lap- but rather than fighting to be the closest to Mommy (a new very popular game) Savannah had leaned over to Nate and was sweetly patting his back and saying with deep concern "More, Nate?" as she held the barf bag to his mouth. I kid you not, it nearly brought tears to my eyes.
Of course, this followed the most horrific time of the whole trip. Due to an incredible strong tailwind we had arrived at the gate too early. So the pilot descended to the "ear-popping" altitude and began to circle. Now, I personally hate this anyway. I am fairly phobic about flying (can't we just take a boat?) and spend a lot of my time in the air planning just how quickly I could save each of my children if we landed in water or if the plane broke in half mid-air. I have detailed mental plans, including which of the surrounding passengers could be recruited to help, just in case.
So here we are circling and the altitude gets extremely turbulent. Bounce out of your seat, stomach dropping turbulent. The stuff of nightmares, as we sway and jerk for 15 MINUTES. After the first bit of this, as other passengers are gripping the armrests, the twins start to get very still and very pale. Uh-Oh. I lunge for an airsick bag as Savannah projectile vomits in a beautiful high arch, splatting the upright tray table in front of us. I switch the bag to her side as Nate quietly barfs all down the front of his outfit, my leg, lap and into the bag at my feet. I switch the bag to catch the last bit from him as Savannah throws up on her clothes and down my other leg. Kevin turns from checking on Louisa (who also assumes that any turbulence will send us spiralling into the ocean) to find us soaked, but thankfully catching Nate's next spew directly in the bag. He reaches for Savannah, the plane dips yet again and she vomits on his seat, his pants and her feet. As Kev and I lock eyes and he gallantly and frantically looks for another bag, Nate throws up across my lap. At this point we have moved from horror into the realm of comedy. Which is fortunate because Joe leans over and moans "I feel sick." Luckily, he is old enough to grab his own bag and barfed into it over and over until the plane touched down.

After strapping the twins into their backpacks and offloading all of our carry-ons, we dashed to the bathroom to mop up and change clothes, finishing just in time to pre-board the next 8 hour flight.