Stuck in Washington DC

Well friends, our journey has been stalled.  First, it was an amazing safari experience for us.  We were incredibly lucky to see the big five, lions on a hunt, a lioness with her three cubs, cheetah sunning on a termite hill, a leopard at the crater, and a prowling lion yesterday on a sunrise journey through Tarangire national park.  Each time I go on safari in Tanzania, I fall more in love with the beauty of this country.  From the desolate landscape to the wonder of the crater, it is a landscape certainly designed by God.  It was a capstone to our two weeks of adventures.  It was also wonderful to see the safari through Steph's eyes.  She talked to the animals as much as Alexa does.  I think between the two of them, we have over 1000 pictures to go through.  Saturday night we stayed at the tented safari lodge, which Alexa and I stayed at during our first safari back in 2007.  The two girls shared a tent and I stayed by myself.  Not a problem, until the lights went out and I heard the mournful call of the lions throughout the night.  Then we had planned a sunrise journey through Tarangire.  I had the alarm clock so I needed to make myself leave the security of the tent in the dark to get to the girl's tent.  Did I mention the bats swirling around in the darkness too!  How I manage to get myself into these adventures is really beyond my understanding.  I did manage to walk to their tent and then stand outside saying, "let me in, let me in" We were totally stunned by the sunrise journey.  I can't wait to post pictures of the lion.  Then it was back to Mwangaza to say our goodbyes.  So hard, to leave our family again.  Even harder with Ishmael in tears and Rachel sobbing.  We sang, "Mungu Awe Nanyi Daima" - God be with you till we meet again. Rachel said prayer then it was back in the jeep.  These moments etch into our hearts until we do meet again.  Flight from Kilimanjaro was a piece of cake.  At Adis Abba, I was sitting by myself while Alexa and Steph went for water, a Grandma with limited English came up to me with her two year old and three year old granddaughters.  She asked the girls to address me in English to practice.  The next thing I know, I am holding two little girls while the Grandmother disappears from view.  I was left wondering if I was going to be adopting two little girls.  I didn't think Tim would appreciate this one.  How I manage to get myself into these situations is beyond my understanding.  Not knowing what to do - I dug out Steph's box of crayons and coloring book - Batman.  This was a huge hit with the girls but not with Steph.  Being OCD, she was not happy when her crayons were out of order and stuck in mouths and noses.  She decided it would be better to give the crayons and coloring book to the little girls.  The Grandmother did come back too -Whew!  However I have had to hear Steph complain for the next 30 hours regarding her coloring book and crayons.  The next flight was uneventful and 19 hours filled with videos and so we arrived in the USA to joy thinking we were only 5 hours away from home.  Not so - our flight has been delayed twice now!  We were suppose to be on the plane at 12:28 Eastern time.  We have been moved to a different gate and now to a different plane due to mechanical difficulties on not one but two planes.  At least being stuck in the USA, means starbucks, Dunkin donuts, and good food and water.  We know we will get home at some point today.  If not, I'm seeking a hotel with a hot shower!