so to explain how i have so little warning, let me give a little background.
the company i work for builds large wooden boats. they have a contract to build ferries for lake victoria in africa. (yes, everything i write will be in lower case). the first ferry, as the prototype, is a catamaran, measuring 65ft long and 40ft wide. the first class will sit up with the pilot in the second story above the main cabin. my boss explained once that the lower cabin would probably fill with people, goats, chickens, and other luggage. we are still not sure that was a joke. i may tell if there are animals on board when it launches.
anyways, we the workers built the wooden skeleton of the ferry and covered the outside with fiberglass and epoxy paint (fun stuff). my other boss designed the entire thing to come apart in pieces to fit into railroad containers. about 3 months ago, the containers filed with the ferry left on a bigger boat for africa. right now, those 4 containers are waiting in mombasa on the border of uganda. the 5th container containing the pilot house and the systems for inside the boat left 2 weeks ago for the same trip.
in july, my boss asked if i wanted to be one of the team going to uganda to reassemble and launch the ferry. since i was starting to feel the need for a new adventure, i agreed to go. the idea then entailed us flying to uganda 2 months after the containers shipped to meet them there. one of our team flew to uganda in early january for the extended stay package. any guy joining the team followed him. when the containers left, the rest of us began asking when we would go. the answer each week was at least 2 weeks out. this month i moved back to my parents place since i figured i would leave soon after that. and each week i became more frustrated as i heard that the date remained 2 weeks out from when i asked.
so yesterday, i go to my boss' office to ask again if there is a date set yet? no. is there any way i can go sooner than 2 weeks? well, he is going on monday, maybe there is a cheap plane ticket, and i could go then. sure, i would love to go that soon. after checking to make sure im not bluffing, he agrees to check tickets and let me know. 3 hours later i have a ticket, and 4 days warning. im leaving earlier in the day than he is, but i will be arriving in uganda with my boss so he can walk me thru customs. no one can say i did not ask for this whirlwind.
im mostly ready. few last minute things i left till i had a definite date, and last family sunday meal. packing, lists, coffees, shopping, good beer, lots of prayers, and one last thing to take into account as i leave; i have never been off this continent. so here begins my new adventure.
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