I was nervous this morning before the flight. I was nervous yesterday. But now, as I sit on a plane that’s about to depart for Dakar, I feel perfectly calm.
I’ve had two good omens already. The seat to my left is empty, always a blessing for an eight-hour flight. And just moments ago I noticed a priest take a seat a few rows ahead of me. That has to be good luck, right?
Some of my friends love international flights: the movies, the food, the favors (they’ve started us off with a zippered pouch that contains a toothbrush, toothpaste and a face cloth). I’m honestly not one for sitting in a cramped seat on a plane that’s too hot or too cold for eight hours when I’m supposed to be sleeping.
But I do enjoy the company on these flights. Anyone flying to another continent likely has a good story to go along with their travels.
Last time I flew solo internationally, on my way to New Zealand, I made friends with the Parisian sitting next to me, and we spent my day-long layover in Bangkok exploring an enormously crazy market there. The weather was so sticky and the market isles so claustrophobic that I soaked through the shirt I was wearing and had to stop at a t-shirt stall to buy another for the second leg of the flight.
I imagine the heat in Dakar will be in that same class when I step off this plane tomorrow morning. Perhaps then, as I look for a place to sleep tomorrow night, I’ll feel another pinge of nervousness. But I have this reasoning to fall back on: No matter what happens in the months ahead, this is going to be one heck of an experience.
June 26, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Best wishes, Lex! I’m living vicariously for the next few months! So exciting!
Enjoy yourself! xoxoxoxoxo
June 26, 2008 at 11:01 pm
I love it! Onward Lexi!
Thanks for the update. I was just sitting here at work, trying to bang out a feature, and thinking of you and wondering where in the world you might be at this moment.
Mwah.
June 26, 2008 at 11:06 pm
I miss you already! But, I am glad you arrived safely! Keep the stories coming…
June 26, 2008 at 11:10 pm
By the way, I’m reading this and thinking, “Where the heck is Dakar?”
I asked my colleagues. One said the Middle East and another was convinced that you meant Qatar, and got the name wrong.
So, for the rest of you who are geographically challenged and reading Lexi’s blog:
Dakar is the capital city of Senegal, which is in West Africa. Senegal is between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania. It achieved independence from France on April 4, 1960.
Lexi, in case you get into trouble:
American Embassy Dakar
BP 49
Avenue Jean XXIII, angle Rue Kleber
Dakar, Senegal
Telephone: (221) 33-829-2100
Fax: (221) 33-822-2991
June 27, 2008 at 2:16 am
So, so happy you have arrived safely. We are thinking of you and missing you much.
Justin and I made it to Seattle last night – at 6 a.m. this morning actually. With delays, the trip ended up taking 12 hours. So we can almost sympathize with you.
Now the real fun begins, Lexi. We want to hear all about it!
XOXO,
kristina
June 27, 2008 at 6:10 am
Lexi!
Im so glad you are doing well! I miss you much. It was so nice to have you here in the ALB for a few weeks. Ive been thinking about you all the time. By the way…how was your first nights sleep with that soft pillow? haha. Talk to you soon Lex! Have a blast ~ Love you, Lo
June 27, 2008 at 8:35 am
So glad you kicked off the trip with a few good omens….can’t wait to hear about all of your adventures!
June 27, 2008 at 8:48 am
Courage! On est ensemble.
June 27, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Sometimes, people mispell my name so it ends up Dakar. Lexi, you even did it once.
I’m so excited for you. I’m addicted to the blog, the more you update it the happier I’ll be and less work I’ll get done.
Love and Happy Travels,
Susan
June 27, 2008 at 5:16 pm
OMG I hope you get to meet some incredibly hunky guy who’s doing the same as you, and you get to spend at least a day traveling together. Oooh and if it’s a Parisian again he could totally help you with your “french”!!!
haha…I have great fantasies. Best of luck, sexy lexi!
-Jess
P.S. Thanks for the geography lesson, Andrea! I honestly had no idea where Lexi was going, but now it’s crystal clear.
June 27, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Love the blog! So glad to hear about the good omens! I’m looking forward to the next update!