Diary
of a Trip to Africa
By Deb Kidwell
In the summer of ‘97, Ursula & Reinhard Arnold invited me to travel
with them through the Azawakh valley in Niger and Burkina Faso during their
trip to Africa in the winter of ‘97. We traveled in their huge Mercedes
truck converted to a camper, with their four year old son, Leon and four Azawakhs,
Nettie, Gulu, Dazol and Djoliba. I flew in to Niamey, Niger to meet them and
traveled for about two weeks, leaving from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. They
continued on to Mauritania and Mali after I left. It was the trip of a lifetime!
December 25, 1997 - Washington Dulles Airport
The drive to the airport went smoothly. We brought Kesia, Lick, Ezel and Cinnamon
for the ride. After checking my bags, Rhonda and I drove back to Reston and
window shopped and had a sandwich at a small, busy cafe. Then, we were off to
the airport again. The window shopping and watching the ice skaters in a small
rink at the mall was a nice start to the trip. The Christmas lights and decorations
were beautiful and relaxing.
At the airport, I hugged all my dogs and Rhonda goodbye and then headed for
the plane. The plane is very crowded. Of course, we are packed like sardines
in Economy class, but I'm on the window and, at least, I'll be able to get some
sleep.
December 26, 1997 - Paris, France, Charles de Gaulle
Airport
Arrived Paris OK. Flight was good. Tired, but I was able to sleep a bit
on the plane. Economy class seats SUCK! I always swear next time, I will go
First Class because the seats look so BIG and cushy. It's 9:12 AM - don't leave
for Niamey until 1:00 PM. Nothing to do, but read and eat. Hoping not to get
hungry until I board for Africa to save money. Got my water, should be OK. Air
France food isn't near as good as Pakistan Air Lines. Sat next to two Indians
on the plane from Dulles. Both needed a bath, but the man on the bus to the
terminal needed fumigation! Don't think he ever heard of deodorant. Guess in
18 more days, I'll smell the same though, so ...
