The Long Flight Home is Just Beginning

My children's beautiful brown skin was dusted with powdered sugar until just a few minutes ago, when the Turkish Airlines flight attendants brought around hot towels for us to clean up. Why powdered sugar? Because before the hot towels, they brought around a piece of Turkish Delight for each and every passengers, served with toothpicks on a tray like hors d'oeuvres. We are sitting in economy class, in the back of the plane, and when we first sat down, we each found a metal container with the Istanbul skyline printed on the front. Inside, there were socks, slippers, earplugs, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and an eye mask. This 11+ hour flight has only been in progress for thirty minutes, but already I can tell it is a far cry from the overseas (and domestic) cattle cars we're used to. Oh yeah, did I mention there are unlimited beverages, including unlimited wine and beer? And they passed out a menu of choices for each meal? Only problem is my personal in-flight entertainment TV is malfunctioning, as is my dad's, but not to worry--the flight attendants are attending to that as well. Meanwhile, Shekina, who cried through the entire Istanbul airport because I wouldn't/couldn't carry her (including through four--FOUR!--security checks, has calmed her uncertain heart with a Katy Perry movie on her tv. Godson is in the teensy restroom with Saint Koko Vickie, who often offers to change him. I've got the latest David Sedaris book and am good to go as soon as the kids fall asleep (and Godson already has). For right now, at least until we hit turbulence, which strikes fear in my heart so strong that I feel like a deer frozen in headlights just before it is slammed by an oncoming SUV. Yep, my fear is that strong. Thank goodness for my best friend, airplane Xanax, who has accompanied me on many journeys since college! 

Update: It seems that everyone on the plane is asleep except for my children. The second the lights went out and everyone started going to sleep, bedtime triggered Shekina's bad behaviors. Luckily, we were able to redirect her with a special surprise toy we had saved for the plane. There are many kids and babies on this flight, and while Godson was the quietest and sweetest one before, he is now the most vocal. We have only finished 4 hours and 20 minutes of our flight. Seven hours remain. Please, GOD, let these children sleep... 

Update: Shekina threw a screaming, crying fit over an undetermined cause with about three hours left. She finally settled down to eat our second meal after a kind, kind stranger offered her her own water (S didn't want ours) and showed her her baby asleep in the bassinet. Another neighbor offered Benedryl because Shekina was itchy, and another, cookies. The kindness of these strangers astounds me. Neither Godson nor Shekina went to sleep until the 11th hour of the flight. Now they are fast asleep, and it's time to get off the plane and face a long layover in Chicago. Maybe we can find somewhere to nap. We are SO happy to be back in the US!  

Istanbul!

Good afternoon from Istanbul!

We survived the Kinshasa airport check-in and immigration (took about 3 hours!), had a quick last Fanta (Congolese beer for the adults) and plate of frites with mayo, and then traipsed down to a bus for our plane. Traveling with this much luggage is not something we usually do; add two kids to that mix, and, well, let's just say we were excited when we were finally able to sink into our airplane seats and relax! The flight was uneventful. Both kids slept for almost the whole flight, with Godson only waking up with ear pain at the tail end of the seven hours. Wow! 

We arrived in Istanbul at about 6:30 am, and we were nervous at visa and passport control that they would not take Godson and Shekina's e-visas...but they took them! Not only that, one of the immigration officers picked Godson up, paraded him around, and had his picture made with him!!! 

We headed to the Novotel, recommended by the Turkish Embassy in Kinshasa because it's located between Old Town and the airport. After dropping off our luggage and washing up a tiny bit, we took a free shuttle into Old Town Istanbul. We saw the Blue Mosque, and had lunch on a rooftop terrace with the best views ever. The Sea of Marmara was on my left, the Blue Mosque was in front of me, and the Hagia Sophia behind me. I believe there were sea views on my right as well! Unbelievable. The kids really enjoyed the view, chicken kabobs, and yet another Fanta, and we all enjoyed basking in the day's beautiful weather (82 degrees and sunny!). After that, we toured the Hagia Sophia, and then headed home around 3:30. We were simply too exhausted to do anything else. We're going to rest for a while, and then eat dinner downstairs at the hotel's restaurant. We've got a long day tomorrow. I'm not sure how long the flight from Istanbul to Chicago is, but considering we'll be flying westward, I bet it will be 10 or 11 hours. Sheesh! We hope the kids will do just as well on that flight, but since it's not a night flight, I have a feeling it will be totally different. 

All right, I'd better get off the iPhone. Shekina is perched up on the window ledge as if she is going to jump from it to the bed. Yep, that's what she did. This girl never runs out of energy and never naps! Hope everyone is well. 

Anna 

At the Kinshasa airport

One last picture with our guide, Papa Fils

Godson isn't quite accustomed to the way Fanta tickles his nose yet! 

Shekina behaved very respectfully in the Blue Mosque. 

Papa Skip and Koko Vickie in the Blue Mosque 

Rooftop views from the Seven Hills restaurant 

Hagia Sophia 

Blue Mosque 

Shekina's first fountain. Spray blew in the wind and got us all wet on the hot, sunny day. We loved it!