We’re calling this Chapter Ten.

Suzan made the call the next morning. She had awoken early with her mind running wild. She had tons of things to do now. She had arrived late for work due to the snowy weather. The thought of a warm Africa calmed her down.

She called the Active travel agency early to get things moving. She dialed the number and waited while thinking of all the things she had to do to get to Africa. One of those things was getting married, and there was little time to plan a wedding. She was hoping that Chad’s mother might step in as he had suspected she might.

A young woman answered the phone. Suzan wanted all of the paper work in her hands as soon as possible. “Hello, Active Travel Agency, how may I help. This is Miss Black here.” “This is Suzan Palmer. I have a trip booked to East Africa already with a Joe Monroe, but our engagement has been called off.” “Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. How may I help you?”

I want to schedule the same trip with my new husband to be. Is my ticket still valid?” “Why yes, unless someone canceled it, let me look you up in our files. It shouldn’t be a problem.” Suzan wondered if Joe had called to cancel her ticket yet.

“I see here that Mr. Monroe has not cancelled your ticket. Yes, I see you were traveling with Mr. Monroe together with a king bed in all of the safari camps. This is a little confusing. You are no longer traveling with Mr. Monroe, correct?” “Yes.” “If you wish to get your new husband on the trip, you should act quickly. There aren’t too many spots left on the trip and the rainy season is coming soon.” Suzan’s stomach tightened, just a little.

The woman scanned the list of travelers coming in from various countries from around the world. The list was filled with names of all types and some were difficult to read let alone pronounce. She read many out loud as she scanned the list. “I see a Mr. Monroe traveling with a Mrs. Monroe.” “Yes that is me, but we, or I am no longer marrying Mr. Monroe. I am Suzan Palmer.” “I don’t see that on the list.” I was supposed to be Suzan Monroe by the time I boarded the flight.”

“Oh now I understand miss.” “Perfect. I need another ticket for my new husband now.” “And that’s not your husband Mr. Monroe, correct?” “Well yes, I mean no. Mr. Monroe isn’t my new husband or traveling companion any longer. My new husband will be with me. “I think I understand now Miss Palmer. We don’t see this very often.” “I guess not,” Suzan answered with a hint of anger.

“This change is easy to do, but we are filling up fast.” “Great, I need one more ticket for my husband then.” “Oh, so this is going to be your honeymoon.” “Yes, it is.” “Interesting, the young woman said to her self as she changed the arrangements on the computer.

“Let me double check the list of names and the number of seats left.” There was a moment of silence on the phone and then some music began to play. A few moments passed and Suzan began to get nervous. “What if there aren’t enough seats left?”

I have the list in front of me. Oh yes, I see where you and Mr. Monroe were traveling on the trip together. I see that we have three openings left and I have put your new husband in one of those slots. Sorry, husband. You aren’t marrying Joe Monroe, any longer. So we now only have two spots left. What is his name, your new husband?” “His name is Chad.”

The woman on the phone looked as if she were underwater. The blue color from the computer screen shinned on her white face brightly. She felt like she was underwater talking to this woman who couldn’t decide who she wanted to marry. None of this made any sense to her.

The woman went silent and typed the reservation into her computer. She was paid for reservations filled. It wasn’t her problem if there were issues later. She knew Joe Monroe was now traveling with another woman. “He’s a quick worker,” she thought. “They both are it seems.”

Alright then, we have you and your new husband scheduled for the trip of the 22nd of November.” “That’s great.’ “Sorry for the confusion, but this very irregular and new to me as you might understand.” “Yes, I understand that. You still have all my information for my visa in your files then?” “Yes, of course.” “I will send Chad’s over by fax today.” “Perfect then Mrs. Palmer. Is there anyhthing else I might help you with?”

The woman on the phone spoke to her work mate sitting next to her with her hand over the mouth piece of her phone. “I think we have a situation here.” Suzan spoke up once more. “Might I ask if Mr. Monroe is still going on this trip?”

The woman looked at the list and then looked at her work mate. “I’m sorry Miss, we can’t give you that information. All bookings are private for obvious reasons.” “Thank, you,” was all Suzan could think of to say. Suzan hung up the phone still angry.

“I can’t see any valid or obvious reasons to keep these bookings private.”

We were in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana and South Africa in 2017.

This is a photo taken on the Nile when we were in Jordan and Egypt in 2023.

We were in Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania in 2024.

More of “Joe in Africa,” tomorrow.