Sat. June 23

Sometime over Africa between Johannesburg and Dakar where we refuel, Friday changes to Saturday. After 8 hours, we land in Dakar and passengers disembark, the cabin crew spiffs the place up a bit, everyone with a carry-on in the overhead has to claim theirs for a bit, so the crew can see that nothing suspicious is left behind. Then the carry-ons can be placed back in the bin, new passengers and crew load, and in an hour we're off. Housekeeping "sanitizes" the plane with a spray that nearly chokes us, but we hang in there. Another 8 hours ahead of us to Washington.

We've decided that Dulles is one of the craziest airports around. After landing 30 min. late, we're loaded onto a transport, dropped at immigration, taken to baggage claim, then through passport control, more security (since we're transferring flights) and finally we're free to find the Delta gate. We transfer terminals and search for a Starbucks, feeling so delighted as we sip our drinks, set down our bags and begin our 3 hour wait for the bird that takes us back to Minneapolis. We pass the spot where we had our margarita the night we left, and we realize we look and feel very different from that night 2 weeks ago. We ask a gal to take our photo and one can clearly see the bleary-eyed Janes looking worn, but happy. Thinking ahead to a nice shower and our own beds tonight!