The eight hour layover was brutal because I stayed awake during the whole flight. I was exhausted. It was my goal to combat jet lag, and if i was jet lag I didn't want it to last for more then a day. Therefore, I was trying to force myself to follow Chad's timezone.
As many of you have guessed, yes my idea failed miserably. The layover was too long and too boring. I couldn't live like a bobble head for the whole 8 hours. Luckily I was able to pass the first hour by getting lost. The airport in Paris was designed very nicely; however, how they functioned and the placement of security check points and whatever else were a nightmare!!
The screens showing connecting flights didn't even have my flight on there, so I was looking around like a lot puppy for 5 minutes. With no direction from the departure screen I had to make the difficult choice - take the path to the left or the right. Both doors said no U-turns allowed. I'm not going to lie, I did tear up a bit out of frustration and exhaustion, but eventually I manned up and decided to go to the left.
Behind that door were screening stations that looked like our TSA security check point. This wasn't a relief because my ticket wasn't a true boarding pass. I was suppose to head straight to the gate to get it.
No one knew what to do with me. I probably walked a mile trying to find where I needed to be. Finally, I made it to the station that dealt with many problems like mine. I was sent to the information desk where I had to wait a hour in line for them to print out my boarding pass. After that, I was able to go through the screening fairly quickly.
My second flight was very interesting. Everyone was trying to talk to me in french. I got so nervous I forgot the little french I knew. I just stood there and looked at them blankly, sometimes choking out an um or two.
By the time I made it to my seat I was tired and embarrassed. I just wanted to sleep! Unlike last time, my neighbor tried to talk to me...IN FRENCH!! I just said, "I speak english," smiled, and turned away. Case closed...or so I thought. He continued to speak to me in broken english.
I was annoyed at first, but then I realized how much of a blessing he was. Praise God he didn't talk to me the whole time. I got some rest, and I received the help needed when I didn't understand the french in/on anything.
Another blessing on that flight came from an American. As I was standing to get off the plane a random guy was reading my departure papers I was holding. He even calculated how old I was from my birthday. Creeper much!!!
Once I realized what he was doing there wasn't much I could do; he already read my whole card. I just continued to talk with him about why I was in Chad and what he was doing there too. He seemed to be a very nice guy. He warned me about how corrupt it can be in Chad and what to watch out for. I'm not going to lie, I felt that the conversation was too short. He had been in Chad for years and speaking with him a bit more coulld have prepared me for what happened next.
I was in leggings to be comfortable during my flight. I planned to change into my maxi skirt before going through customs. (I usually have to use the batheroom after a flight anyways). That is one of the many reasons why I was shocked when I got off the plane.
It was blistering hot outside even though it was 9 o'clock at night. There were soldiers standing with big guns around their bodies and a bus waiting below. Not knowing what to do and where the bus was taking everyone I followed aquaintance's lead. I got on the bus.
There were about 100 people in that small little bus; I was being pushed out the not-so-secure door. I just held on tight and made it to the stop. When I got out there were more guards and a door. Following the crowd again, I walked inside.
It was a room no larger than 30 square feet. There were five lines with signs above them....IN FRENCH!! I just prayed and chose a random line. I couldn't find my friend at that point. By the time I was third in the line this guy turned to me. He asked if I was the other SM. OMGness, I was so excited to meet him (Josh) and another SM (Daniel). I wasn't my usual shy or awkward self at all.
As the three of us were making it through customs as smoothly as possible, creeper guy from the plane stopped me. He said, "trust me sweetie, you don't want to go outside without long sleeves on." I freaked out and put on my jacket saying thank you a thousand times. the mosquitoes were horrible!!
After an hour of being pushed and shoved around, the two SMs and I finally got our bags. I saw the helpful Chadian at the luggage claim and he explained how in Chad they re-screen ALL bags and check your luggage stubs matching it with the luggage before you can leave the airport. It took forever!! I was getting so frosty from being shoved that I started throwing elbows and pushing back. I showed them that this American isn't going to be walked all over.
Although the other two SMs were guys they looked to me to lead. I seemed to know more about what was going on. That meant, I was in front and in the line of fire. I finally realized the purpose of having so many "punching bags" (these are guy friends that I hit all the time for those of you who don't know).
All in all, we found our ride and stayed in a nice evangelical hotel-like apartment. I was wonderful. We had beds, a cold shower, and met some of the wonderful staff of Bere Hospital. Out of all the outrageous thoughts running through my head about Chad, I didn't even come close to what I experienced. Although there were many surprises I cannot complain. The Lord provided me with helpful angels along the way.
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