Lost

Complications pile up and get resolved…or not.  The bags that were too heavy to carry on the twice cancelled UN flight were to be sent by bus to Agadez.  Unfortunately since the volunteers got stuck in Paris and had to get to Niamey via Air Maroc (which we try to avoid at all cost because baggage never makes it) ended up having to go to Niamey via Casablanca on Royale Air Maroc because of a cancelled Air France flight and guess what–their bags didn’t make it.  So After changing the arrangements umpteen times to pick them up from the airport and get their bags to ship them by bus we only had three out of six to ship.  So more arrangements (thanks to Sue Rosenfeld and Barké) and the lost bags actually made it  via Air France the next day in time to ship by bus which meant they SHOULD arrive in Agadez before we were to leave for the clinic at Tamesna–a two hour drive–with military escort. So we went after the Rotary meeting to pick up the bags and the bus had broken down and was to arrive in a hour.  After three hours of trying we gave up at midnight.  First thing in the morning before setting out with our escort we find that only two bags arrived and our big medicine order from Dahai co in Niamey also did not arrive as PROMISED.  So here we are paying for our military security which took Sidi at least an arm and a leg to negotiate, a full complement of volunteers, plus the paid Niger staff of three medical personel, plus two drivers, two cooks and five midwives waiting and NO MEDICINE!!!!   Just take a deep breath…So we call a meeting and put our heads together–we cannot split up the white people because we need a military escort and cannot afford to pay for two.  Is it worth going to the clinic with no medicine?  We decide to go and leave our chief cook and man of all talents–Aboli to pick up bags and medicine orders and take the bus out to the town only 15min drive to the clinic.  So here is what he has to bring–the three lost suitcases.  Boxes full of $500 worth of medicine. The old tire from the Hilux to use on the cart that hauls our bath water, cayenne pepper, nutella, and Alhassane’s battery powered amplifier for his guitar.  Abolie is a champion.  We will see if he actually manages this superhuman feat tomorrow morning.