Day 1

With about 6 hours of sleep I awoke about 6:30 but because of the shower, and last minute packing (should have done it all last night) we were a little late leaving for the airport. We made good with traffic as well as sped thru the Delta counter and TSA. One of my bags was exactly 50 lbs. The other 47 lbs. The carry-on - 35 lbs! (Not good). Arrived at the gate as they were beginning to board. Cutting it a little closer than I had hoped. Adding just a little stress. I hadn't prepared for departure day as well as I should have.

There are a few emotions I am having. One is relief to finally get on the plane or as I texted home "I am on the cart and a horse is pulling it.  Minutes later, " The horse has sprouted wings." There is also a sense that I am in a reality I had not expected would ever occur. It feels like something new and something strange. The immensity of what I am now embarking on is finally here and yet the full weight of that decision and what it means and what it has put in motion is not completely there yet and probably for good reason.

But certainly, I know I am in the right place doing the right thing. I feel comfortable with all the many decisions and actions that got me on this plane. The future is uncertain but me here, now, is certain.

At Washington DC, my bags were found and 20 sweaty minutes later I had found the shuttle for DCA (Reagan National Airport) to the Hilton Arlington National Landing Hotel just a ten minute ride away. Half a dozen other Volunteers were also on the van. Made sure I helped them with their bags and tried to focus on them. 

At 6:45p we started our evening orientation. Prior to this, we had to do the second covid test to insure we wouldn't be contaminating the whole cohort.  This first orientation was just an intro, a welcome and an easing into what will surely overwhelm us as we head east to Africa. People are feeling anxious, excited, nervous and tired and said as much when we were all asked what one word would sum up our feelings.

Somewhere in the discussion about the bags and travel to Madagascar, I managed to put forth my question, which turned into a poll, and a possible solution to the overweight baggage issue half or more of the group was having. I suggested we buy a bag that would hold 50lbs of stuff and together put our extra weight in and share the cost for the extra bag rather than each of us getting hit with personal overweight charges.  Good idea suggested one of the moderators and had seen other groups do the same.

Afterwards, we added up what everyone thought they were over and we decided we needed two bags. One of the girls mother lives close by and she would be able to purchase the bags and get them to us tomorrow. I don't know where the idea came from but it made me seem like the hero of the problem. And, two of the guy (of course) had only brought one bag to stow under the plane so we might not even have to pay for the extra bags.

Afterwards, about a dozen of us met in the hotel restaurant to get some food or drinks. I think this did more for our connecting and bonding than the orientation did. I went to CVS to pick up some drinks and hostess donuts for the morning. Maybe not enough for all but some.

Coming back I connected with three other guys and we had a good conversation about movies, the language, how to help the others and whatnot.  All in all a good start for our first day.