A Tale of Two Airplanes

It was the best of flights, it was the worst of flights....no, I've probably been on worse flights...

Two Airplanes converged (in Frankfurt), I preferred the one less traveled...I'll spare you the details, but anyone who has flown internationally, would probably agree that the soonest you can get off of a domestic US air carrier, the sooner you will likely start to observe comfort and service the way they all claim to provide in the commercials.  In this case, Lufthansa gets a thumbs up from us.  On our last trip, it was British Midland Airways.

Flights were good.  We connected through Frankfurt, Germany and Khartoum, Sudan this time.  We did not leave the plane in Sudan.  This trip has definitely steared our attention towards Sudan through a series of unpredicted encounters.  The first, is all the attention that the viral video Kony 2012 has generated, the second is an article in this weeks Newsweek magazine about Kony and the LRA.  The third is a movie that happened to be showing on our flight from Chicago to Frankfurt, Germany titled "Machine Gun Preacher".  It is a real life story, one continuing to this day that will likely leave you assessing where the line falls between moral right and wrong.  It is a very mature movie, not intended for kids and I'd say the first 30 minutes is a little long, but be ready for some soul searching after that. I will likely be buying a few copies upon our return to Hudsonville to share with folks.

Now, before you start thinking this is a horrible place, I'd like to point out that this stuff happens in the good 'ole United States of America as well.  It just takes a slightly different face and is a little more underground.  Need an example, how about Saginaw, MI, as highlighted in Forbes magazine on 4/26/2012.  The fact of the matter is, Ethiopia (and Sudan for that matter) is a beautiful place, with happy and hospitable people.  There are simply a few not so nice people mixed in. 

We were once again greeted by the driver for our lodge.  Wth the excitement of a child he hugged us, grabbed our bags and said "Welcome Back!".  This time I was ready and this little, old dude probably got one of the biggest american Bear hugs he's ever had.  An observer might have even seen his feet leave the ground.  We're glad to be back!