Secrets We Keep by Valeriya Goffe

Author:Valeriya Goffe [Goffe, Valeriya]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC044000 FICTION / Women
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2023-07-23T00:00:00+00:00

PART II

If I have ever seen magic, it has been in Africa

John Hemingway

Chapter 13. Karibu Zanzibar!

Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, the United Republic of Tanzania

Anna’s flight to Tanzania was through Addis Ababa. To play it safe, she got to the Dulles Airport three hours before her flight. But life was easy for business class passengers—getting through check-in and security took thirty minutes at most.

She settled in the airline lounge, full of people similar to her—in business clothes and with lightweight carry-on spinners. Some were eating, others reading newspapers, and many were working non-stop on their laptops.

At one point, Anna’s phone started ringing. It was Grandma, who video-called her a few times a week.

“Anna, is this really happening? You are off to Africa?” Grandma’s eyes were shining, full of joy and excitement. “Up till now, I had a hard time believing…You’ll be the first one in our family to visit the incredible Africa! Your Grandpa would be so proud of you. If only he could see you—all grown up, so brilliant and confident. Working for a top company. Ready to conquer the world.”

Anna drew in a shaky breath, and the flood of emotions started overwhelming her. This voyage was so much more than a work trip. It was going to connect her family’s past with the present. It was going to open the door into the colorful world which her poor Grandma never had a chance to explore fifty years ago. She had started packing her suitcase, but the terrible tragedy cut her preparations short. Instead, it was Anna, her granddaughter, who would set foot on the African continent and explore its wonders.

“Yes, Grandma, I’m about to board my plane,” Anna said proudly. “I’ll make sure to take lots of pictures and videos for you.”

The flight turned out very long and Anna did not sleep much. By the time she arrived in Addis Ababa, she was starting to fall asleep, but was forced to get off the plane and wait for her connection.

Stepping out of the jetway, she could already tell she was in a different world. The people, the shops, the food—everything looked so different in Sub-Saharan Africa. Anna got situated in the airport lounge waiting for the flight to Dar es Salaam, which was expected to be in a couple of hours. She was a little bit sleepy at first but pretty soon she perked up listening to the announcements of flights to various African destinations. Ouagadougou, Dakar, Kampala, Kigali—all these unfamiliar names which sounded so thrilling, promising of great adventures.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the Dar es Salaam flight is ready for boarding,” announced the pleasant female voice on the radio.

****

“Guys, it’s great to see you here in Tanzania!” Anna gave hugs to everyone on her team as they arrived in Dar es Salaam the same afternoon and started checking in at their hotel. At first glance, the team looked a bit disoriented and jet-lagged, squinting in the bright light.

Anna smiled as she remembered herself traveling to various tournaments on the junior tennis tour.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.