The Journey Starts Tomorrow!

Okay, I know that tonight is going to be crazy trying to pack and make sure that we do not forget the most important items...passport, immunization certificates, e tickets, . We are hoping that what we pack will be okay. It's going to be very hot there so we are bringing lightweight clothing. We are trying to be prepared, but if I don't calm down, I'll forget to pack something essential like underwear. Are trying to bring some things over that represent both Maine and Louisiana. I really cannot believe that we leave tomorrow, it's rather surreal. John and I haven't traveled out of the country in about 23 years, so this is BIG! Plus we are going to a place that we've never been. There are some activities planned for us before the wedding to give us a bit of the "flavor" of the area. I do hope that the Isouns will let us pitch in and help with some of the details. I'm sure that they will be very busy and we want to lend a hand.

So tomorrow, Friday, we'll head to Boston to spend the night with Matthew. We'll leave right after work and should get there around 9 or 10 pm. Then in the am we'll make sure that all the luggage is good to go and see if Matthew is all set too. Of course he's travelled more than we have recently because he went to Israel last summer and to Belgium to visit our friend Philippe Bonhomme and to Denmark to visit his friend Tyler with some side trips to Amsterdam, Sweden and a couple of days in Iceland on the way home. So he's probably more prepared for international travel than we are at this point.

We'll get to see my sister, Amy, brother-in-law, Bobby and niece Allison on Saturday afternoon too. It's an added bonus due to timing. They will be flying in from NC at noon as Bobby is racing in the Boston Marathon on Monday. He qualified this time with a time of 3:39, I think...pretty impressive. Of course I think finishing a race like that in any time would be impressive....but I digress...what a surprise.

I think we'll head to the airport around 7 pm as our flight leaves at 9:30. We think that Matthew's girlfriend Libby is going to be able to take us which would be really helpful as we'll have a lot of luggage. We'll figure out those details when we get down there.

We'll arrive in London on Sunday morning and have most of the day there to explore what we can. We'll have to definitely have afternoon tea somwhere and grab a scone with strawberries and clotted cream and lovely English tea. We'll have another night flight to catch and will arrive in Abuja early Monday morning and will be met by family members who will take us to Miriam and Turner's home about 30 minutes away.

Guess that's it for today. I'm hoping and praying for an uneventful set of flights, safe trip and lovely celebration for Tariye and Demola.

One more day....
Melinda