Having missed our flight by a narrow margin, emotions ran rampant as our African dreams seemed to have been swept up from under our feet. The ticket clerk (whose name was Favo, bless his heart!) began presenting outrageous re-scheduling figures, ranging somewhere in the triple digits, that no member of our team was able to pay. On the brink of losing hope, taking our credited refunds, and heading back to our respective families, the clerk asked us the question, that, I believe, salvaged our trip: "What will you guys be doing in Ghana?"
I explained to him our mission -- that we are a consulting team heading to Ghana in order to build a marketing plan for an organization (DIVOG) that builds schools for deprived peoples in the region. I told him that our disappointment was not due to the loss of our own personal investment, but rather the thought of letting down our NGO who now awaits our arrival, and who had been wholeheartedly invested in our project for months. Empathizing with our situation, Favo took the initiative to pull some strings (to say the least!), and book us new flights at minimal cost.
This experience not only served as the first real bonding moment between Cate, Juliana, and I, as it took a 3-pronged approach to express our grievances, but it also proved to me that the three of us can tackle any task that lay ahead. Our resilience in, what I will call, 'the airport situation', speaks volumes about the success we will achieve in our future tasks helping others --- the tasks that really matter.
This experience also demonstrated just how profound of an endeavor the three of us are undertaking, as it had softened the heart of someone working in the most disciplined of vocations.
Favo -- we will never forget you!
Our flight to Ghana is scheduled to depart at 2:15pm (Amsterdam time), which is quite soon. Stay posted...
Africa, here we come!
-PIBV Ghana - May
Etan - what a dear, well-written, positive description of what must have been a very difficult time for the 3 of you.
ReplyDeleteYou seem to have many of the same qualities as my Cate!
I too believe that you 3 are capable of tackling the tasks that are ahead of you - in Ghana and in life.
And I feel good about my daughter's traveling companions.
My thoughts will be with you all during your great adventure.
Etan - I am Cate's aunt. Thank you for sharing so beautifully the beginning of your journey. I will be thinking often of the three of you over the coming weeks. I look forward to reading more about your wonderful adventure.
ReplyDeleteok...since there haven't been any posts since Amsterdam, i have to assume you all decided to stay there and vacation in the Netherlands for a month...
ReplyDeletei will look for the photoshopped pix of you with Ghana dropped into the background.
hope you are all doing well...Cate's Dad
hey girl!
ReplyDeleteI'm not so sure about the photo-shopped pix....but I'd like to see something from where you are...and not just the pubs!
This should be great fun for you and your companions..enjoy the experience and bring back lots of pix and stories to share. 4 weeks seems like a long time, but it will go so quickly... looking forward to reading the stories!
T
Etan and all,
ReplyDeleteExcellent post. You expressed yourself elegantly and with extreme clarity. Am delighted you were able to salvage your trip in such a rapid fashion. Am convinced you will handle anything that comes your way, on your trip.
Miss you very much son and look forward to following you all along your wonderful and worthwhile endeavor ... it kids like the three of you who will make certain the future is bright for all of us.
stay well ... dad