Chapter 8 "The Arrival"

The sun was setting as the plane touched the small patch of tar between dirt fields of Africa. May thought for a moment, how beautiful the sun is, there was a peculiar sense of security in its’ consistency. She could travel anywhere at any time and one thing would always be consistent, the sun would rise and the sun would set. It just so happened, the sun was breaking the night’s darkness in America, as it succumbed to the moon her arrival night in Africa.

She left the baggage claim one trunk lighter then expected and thankful she listened to her Dad’s advice on the proper method of packing for such a moment as this. Relieved she still had clothes, food, and toiletries in the other three trunks she smiled inside, knowing this is Africa. She was thankful Mr. Chard was protective of the sisters and her in the airport and was happy to see the smiling faces of the Smith family waiting for them outside the airport. A half hour later the trucks were packed fifteen trunks high and the brother and sisters were loaded into another vehicle and brought to the Smith house for dinner and rest.

The first few days were busy with introductions, language, and rest. May struggled with the heat from the very first day when it was 115 degrees fareinheight. She would be thankful for 115 degrees once she felt the 125 degrees in the days to come. Wrapped in long sleeves and ankle length skirts, the sisters learned how to get fresh vegetables from the stand down the road. They were appreciative Mrs. Smith’s hospitality and kindness and they soon referred to her as Martha.

The girls lived with Mitch and Martha for the first week they were in The Sandbox. They were thankful when they were able to move into their apartment down the road. Unpacking their trunks and setting up their rooms seemed to bring roots to this time in their life. Soon enough those roots were covered by sand as the first “hahboob” hit them hard. The sandstorm seeped its’ way through the cracks in the windows, into their freshly cleaned apartment. Once the hahboob’s journey through The Sandbox was over, the sisters saw it left a thick coating of dirt and sand on everything from picture frames, pillows, and blankets, to countertops and floors. The cleaning of the storm took another three days.