This Blog Entry is a part of my Uganda Trip Page. Click Here to read all of the blog entries as well as information about the Nakivale Refugee Settlement, the American Refugee Committee & how to help.  

Hello! I am currently on my second 8 hour flight & somewhere over the Sahara Desert.

The first flight, from Minneapolis to Amsterdam was very smooth.

I did not sleep. Instead I sipped a glass of wine and was mesmerized by the earth slowly floating by. I saw a sunset, a sunrise and the most amazing stary sky. I saw a wind farm in the ocean and the eternal dawn of the northern hemisphere during summer solstice. I waved "hi" to my friends down below as we passed over Ireland, the U.K. and Netherlands.

I anticipated a heavy-hearted introspective plane ride. I thought that this is when it would all "hit me." That the further I traveled away from my family, the more I would feel my heart being ripped out...

I was wrong.

The goodbye was difficult. Little Arlo cried hard. He had been having a tough time talking about my trip for several days prior. Cy was sad too but put on a brave face. And I wore sunglasses to hide my eyes and spoke about how at that very minute we were the furthest apart in time that we'd be the entire week. Every minute into the future meant a minute closer to reuniting. My husband was his same old perfectly-supportive, positive self, "We are going to be great! You're going to do great!"

I have traveled away from my boys many times but never to a place so exotic and so far.

Anyways, yes, that part was hard... but once I took those few initial steps away from their car, there was nowhere else to go but forward!

The truth is, I didn't sleep on the plane ride to Amsterdam because I was absolutely overcome with excitement. I didn't watch any movies. I didn't read any books. I stared out that window for hours and felt so joyous and giddy - like a little kid with a genuine sense of adventure. I am on my way!

And with that, I say,

✨Uganda Or Bust! ✨