Customs is not our friend

This trip began just seventeen hours ago and there is already so much to tell. We got on the plane without a hitch with only minor shuffling of vitamin bottles because bags were overweight. We arrived in Managua right on time. Off we went to baggage claim and then the true test — customs. I happened to be the first member of the group to go through the line and I was pushing a cart carrying four or five large bags. They pointed me in the direction of the x-ray machine and I immediately began to fret. I loaded them all onto the conveyor and hoped for the best.  The first couple went through and I was about to unload them when the customs agents began to open one of the large suitcases full of vitamins. From the look on his face you would have thought that he had discovered an entire case full of cocaine. Then they opened the next bag which was full of dental instruments and it all went downhill from there. Despite our best efforts to explain that we weren`t carrying any prescription drugs, the surly customs officer I feared said no way, not without the ‘proper paperwork. Our hearts sank as they pulled every bottle of vitamins, neosporin and all of the dental equipment and supplies aside. These ten bags are now being held at customs until we can provide the proper paperwork from the Ministry of Health. Our team members from CEPAD will be working very hard tomorrow to get these bags released.

From the airport we traveled to the CEPAD Nehemiah center. We gathered together to sort out the mess that was left from pulling out our personal items from the bags that were confiscated and to our surprise discovered that one duffel full of vitamins and some of the dental supplies did manage to get through amidst the craziness. The rest of the day was spent settling in at CEPAD, touring Managua and learning a bit of the history of the area.

Our plan was to leave tomorrow morning for the village where we will be working for the rest of the week. Due to the customs challenge, we are postponing our departure in hopes that we can get all of the luggage back by the end of the day. Luckily we had a bit of flexibility in our schedule later in the week so we will still be able to spend four days in the village.

It is raining here and I am looking forward to hitting my bed with the pitter patter of rain on the metal roof lulling me to sleep. Not that it is going to take much for me to get to sleep. It has been a long day.

Lori