Jesse and I left Ottawa on a cold snowy morning.  As you can see we cleaned the walkways the morning of our departure.  Flights were uneventful, a bit long, about 25 hours.  

A four hour wait in Frankfurt and then the last leg.

I was lucky as I sat beside a brilliant insightful young German female space craft engineer who was on the way to study running and triathlon as a prime athlete.   Her name was Natalie.  We had a great time for about 4 hours looking at our shaking world and then discussion the opportunities to see improvements.   She had a global concept, being aware that space travel is one of those areas that are best managed by the planet as a whole vice protectionism/individualism.  Her openness about her marvelous perspectives and passionate humanitarian interests were inspiring.  Maybe this chance encounter is a harbinger of the adventures to come? From my heart to God's ear!  She was very interested in Mully Children's Family thrilled to see some of my briefing slides.  

My friend of 5 years, Andrew of Topcats safari met us at arrival.  Passing through customs was only 40 minutes.  We were lucky as I have had to wait up to i90 minutes other years.  For some reason customs was trying to understand Jesse's Nintendo game and switch.  In the end all our gear made it through, including a sizable bit of donations for MCF.

Overnight was spent at Holiday Inn.  I had to laugh because we could have been anywhere in a big city in Canada. 

While Jesse slept in Friday morning I enjoyed a buffet breakfast that was a huge variety of fresh fruit, breads, cereals, omelets, meat, and fish.  No breakfast here, but rather a great.  It's mango season, but Jesse noted the fresh pineapples were a close second to the exquisite tastes!  

After taking my fill, I ended up sitting alone with my thoughts sipping a leisurely cup of white coffee.  I located myself under  a great tree near the perfectly still swimming white the sparrows swooped and sang.  The air was soft on my skin, the sun bright and warm, the scents from the big gorgeous-green tree, my new best friend filled my senses, and it was about 22 degrees Celsius.   Suddenly, without warning I was overwhelmed and I choked back tears often felt when I returned to my young family from sea those many years ago.

A deep sense of tranquility and humility washed over me, as I reflected on the days ahead with my grandson in Africa.  I guess Kenya is like a second home now for me.  For a mystical moment, my senses seemed ultra-sensitive, and I had a sudden experience of being truly at home.  Such moments are only too fleeting, but for me they are gifts inexplicable.  What a blessing was that reflection sipping coffee.  A starting gift indeed.