“A journey is a person in itself, no two are alike.”
It rained most of last night, but the morning broke sunny and warm. I dried off the table, had coffee and read my papers on the deck. Both papers were filled with stories about Hurricane Irene: the predicted path, people getting ready and the hurricane’s intensity. One article listed the flights already canceled out of Logan, but all of them were flights headed into the storm, most headed toward North Carolina or south to the islands. Saturday is supposed to be rain and only rain. The wind won’t begin until Sunday when, I hope, I’m already through Frankfurt on my way to Accra. This is one of your shake your head in wonder sort of things. I booked my flight in April and would never have expected that the first hurricane in twenty years would surface just before my flight. I’m wondering about karma, but I really do expect to get out of Boston. I am heading away from the hurricane and it will only be raining. I am so glad I didn’t book the direct flight from New York.
One day, I can’t believe it is one day until I leave. My to do list has most stuff crossed off. Today I have to water the plants and fill the bird feeders. Tomorrow is change the litter, go to the dump and pack day. My bedroom has stacks of clothes ready for the suitcase, and the chair is filled with stuff for my carry-on, most of it electronic. I can barely sit still for the excitement.
Engagements are already scheduled: the party on the 29th at Ryan’s pub, the swearing-in ceremony on the 30th and a party that night to honor and celebrate the newest volunteers.
I figure to leave for Bolga on the 1st, but I still haven’t quite figured out how to get there. The bus ride is 16 hours so if I go that route, I’ll leave on the night of the 31st so I can arrive in Bolga in the morning. The buses are air-conditioned and the seats go down so I’ll be fairly comfortable. It would be like backpack travel days during my 20’s when we always traveled by night to save the cost of a hotel room. If I fly, it will be to Tamale then 4 hours by bus to Bolga. I wish I were Samantha, and I would just wiggle my nose.
My mind is filled with forty year old images and sounds and smells all waiting to be updated.
Explore posts in the same categories: MusingsTags: Accra, Bolgatanga, Boston, East Coast of the United States, Hurricane Irene
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keepthecoffeecoming.blog 
August 26, 2011 at 11:20 am
Kat- Bon-voyage, happy trails, smooth sailing and just have a great time.
Remember to come back home- or at least somewhere that has a good internet connection!
take care-
August 26, 2011 at 12:15 pm
Thanks, Pat
That song is beautiful and perfect for my travels! Thank you- I can’t think of a better going away gift than a song!
Coffee will have a couple of updates, I hope!
August 26, 2011 at 11:28 am
I’m so excited for you to be going and I’m so excited for me to read about the trip later on. I do love travelogues.
Have a great time!
August 26, 2011 at 12:16 pm
sprite,
My travel log is all packed and ready to be filled, and I’ll post when i get home the same as I did when I went to Morocco.
Thanks-I expect a wonderful time!
August 26, 2011 at 11:58 am
this itrip is long in the making. have a great time!
August 26, 2011 at 12:19 pm
greg,
As I told Pat above there is no perfect going away present than a song, an Ann Reed song I love. It was you who introduced me to her!
I think i stood the waiting better over time. One day is like waiting for Santa to come-an endless wait!
August 26, 2011 at 11:58 am
August 26, 2011 at 12:22 pm
Good luck with your flight. Last year’s volcano in Iceland cancelled our Norway flight & we missed the Syttande Mai celebrations. Damn near ruined the trip for me.
August 26, 2011 at 12:27 pm
John,
I’m heading in the right direction to avoid the hurricane so I am hopeful all will be well. I have the number to call for an update and the US tracking site which gives the flight status.
Sorry for yours!
August 26, 2011 at 3:23 pm
I´m glad You get the chance to leave before Irene hits! They show a lot about her in our news as well. I don´t think there´s any bigger storms over here this weekend though so as long You´ve left the ground things will go smoothly.
I´m looking forward to know more about Your trip later and photographs 🙂
Have a great trip! I wish I could follow You 🙂
Have a great day!
Christer.
August 26, 2011 at 5:02 pm
Me too, Christer! I think I’m just enough ahead of her that the flight will not be affected.
I’ll fill you in with everything and take tons of photos!
Maybe some day!! I figure we all need a place we dream of going.
August 26, 2011 at 3:31 pm
Kat,
I know this trip will be perfect; I can feel it. Greg’s song posted is beautiful.
Really Waving,
Lori
August 26, 2011 at 5:02 pm
Lori,
I’m taking you at your word about this trip. It is a beautiful song!
August 26, 2011 at 5:28 pm
Email your flight number so I can follow you safely to Germany. I don’t like the sound of this storm even though it was a whimper here compared to what we usually get. But I’m so happy for you and your being steady Eddie through this ordeal. The thoughts of waiting for a flight cancellation would drop me to the floor. Godspeed Kat. You give us all a warm feeling about your trip. Wish I could join you.
August 26, 2011 at 5:55 pm
Z&Me,
I wish you all could come-we’d have an amazing time.
I keep checking the weather, and everything still indicates Sunday for Irene’s arrival. I also keep checking my flight and it says as scheduled. I’ll not worry-it would do me no good so I’ll just take it as it comes! Here is my route from Boston to Frankfort to Ghana:
Depart:
10:15 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 27, 2011
Boston, MA (BOS)
Arrive:
11:30 a.m. +1 Day
Sun., Aug. 28, 2011
Frankfurt, Germany (FRA)
Flight Time:
7 hr 15 mn
Flight: LH421
Fare Class: Business (I)
Change Planes. Connect time in Frankfurt, Germany (FRA) is 2 hr 55 mn.
Depart:
2:25 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 28, 2011
Frankfurt, Germany (FRA)
Arrive:
6:50 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 28, 2011
Accra, Ghana (ACC)
Flight Time:
11 hr 25 mn
Travel Time:
21 hr 35 mn
Flight: LH566
Aircraft:
Fare Class: Business (I)
Meal:
Flight LH 421 is operated by Lufthansa.
Flight LH 566 is operated by Lufthansa.
August 26, 2011 at 9:53 pm
Have a safe journey and a wonderful time.
August 26, 2011 at 10:30 pm
Thank you, Bob!
August 26, 2011 at 10:11 pm
Bit the other direction, but: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtZetHPFxJk
Cheers
August 26, 2011 at 10:29 pm
Minicapt,
That was heart wrenching and beautiful!